Wednesday's news: Will Patric Hornqvist make the Swedish Olympic team?

While Nashville Predators fans are basking in the glow of last night's impressive 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks, the road ahead doesn't get any easier. Tomorrow, the New Jersey Devils bring their 9-1 road record into the Sommet Center, making for another big challenge for a Preds team which, fortunately, appears to be playing its best hockey of the season at this point.

Until then, however, let's check out the morning news & notes. We've got reaction to the Sharks game, a projection of how Sweden's Olympic roster might shape up, and video of a goal celebration that goes horribly awry...

Predators News

See Puck City: Revenge Is Sweet or Shark Meat Is Delicious: Preds Win 4-3
Dedication is a fan that does everything he can to get to a game, even if it's only for the final few minutes...

What The Puck: 11/17/09 - San Jose at Nashville: W 3-4
Rachel's summary from last night includes the question of what's happened to Patric Hornqvist, who was pretty much invisible last night. My answer would be that he's on a line centered by Mike Santorelli, who's in danger of becoming a tweener - a guy that can light up the AHL, but has a hard time making an impact at the NHL level.

NHL Olympic picks: Team Sweden - Vancouver Canucks
Adam Kimelman, writing for the Canucks website, touts Patric Hornqvist as "a prime example of someone playing their way onto an Olympic team."

Patric Hornqvist

#27 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators

Height: 5-11

Weight: 186

Born: Jan 01, 1987

Around the NHL

What is the value of a game-tying goal? - The Copper & Blue
A wonderful observation from Bruce McCurdy; in the modern NHL's regular season, it's the tying goal that helps a team get to overtime that is really the most valuable in the standings. I really, really, really can't stand the OT/SO "loser point".

Dustin Penner, an ace penalty killer? As unlikely as that sounds, that's the case. - Cult of Hockey
David Staples points out that besides having a great year offensively, Dustin Penner is getting the job done on the PK for Edmonton. That's also one area where at least Martin Erat is contributing for Nashville; at under a minute per game in 4-on-5 play, however, perhaps the Preds could give him more work there, at least if he's helping.

Lowetide: A Letter to Daryl Katz
Folks aren't happy with the way things are going for the Edmonton Oilers, and Lowetide sends a missive to owner Darryl Katz outlining a few specific concerns.

The 10 worst teams of the last decade - Puck Daddy
A look at the most awesomely awful hockey teams of the 2000's. The first picture in the article alone is worth checking out...

Filatov: Why I'm leaving Columbus for Russia - Puck Daddy
Dmitri Chesnokov translates a SovSport interview with Nikita Filatov as he leaves Columbus to finish the season in the KHL. At this point, everyone assumes that he'll be back next fall with the Blue Jackets, but we'll see...

Filatov Commentary - The Cannon
More musings from Columbus over the fact that Nikita Filatov will finish the season over in Russia, rather than with the Blue Jackets.

Thankless Thrashers: Atlanta Players Getting It Done Outside the Spotlight - Bird Watchers Anonymous
The Thrashers are getting contributions from a whole cast of characters during their strong 10-6-1 start.

And lastly, I've just got to share the video that's making its way around the hockey sites this morning - a goal celebration that goes wrong over in Sweden...