Nashville Predators heading to Chicago with raw goalies

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 12, 2010 12:26 PM EDT

He closed out the win Saturday night, but now Anders Lindback will lead the Nashville Predators into Chicago to face the defending Stanley Cup champs.

After the Nashville Predators' announced via their Twitter account that Pekka Rinne (along with Martin Erat, Jamie Lundmark, and Sergei Kostitsyn) will not make the trip to Chicago for their game against the Blackhawks tomorrow night, attention turned to the NHL's waiver wire, as San Jose's Thomas Greiss was left available on the open market.

With the passing of the noon Eastern deadline, however, Greiss went unclaimed, so it appears that the Preds will travel to Chicago with some raw goaltending. Anders Lindback will get the start, with all of 17 minutes of NHL experience, while Mark Dekanich will take in his first NHL game as the backup.

With Erat out of the lineup due to back spasms, you should expect Wade Belak to get his first action of the season.

No pressure, eh?

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Comments

Lindback

I don’t know…I have faith in the guy (probably too much). He didn’t look bad against the Ducks, but then again, no one seems to look bad against the Ducks based on their 2/13 GF/GA.

I think maybe it’s because he and Rinne share a lot of similar traits. I am cautiously optimistic.

by rusherman on Oct 12, 2010 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

Only concern:

I, like you, am cautiously optimistic about Lindback. He has a lot of skill and tracks the puck extremely well. The problem comes down to puck control. Lindback has a serious problem not immediately swallowing slap shots. He quickly pounces on them afterwords, but there is a split second in which numerous amounts of awful things could happen. You can bet Chicago knows that, let’s hope our defense gives him a little help.

EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!

by Poiju on Oct 12, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d just park O’Brien in the crease all game and dare someone to get close :P.

by Chris Burton on Oct 12, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe put Tootoo on his shoulders? Like Master and Blaster from Return to Thunderdome? Oh man, what an epic mental image, haha!

EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!

by Poiju on Oct 12, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hey, not that bad of idea...

I like his puck-clearing skills. He could get in there and clear the rebounds that get away.

by DonBorvio on Oct 12, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Lindback seemed to be pretty good.

but i’m also more than a little concerned. Chicago’s tough to play against. it will be a real test for Anders. either way i’ll be cheering him on. i just have to remember to pray hard to the Hockey Gods before the game!!!!!!

by bluegrassbaby on Oct 12, 2010 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

At least Lindback seemed to get more comfortable as the game went on

but I was really hoping for the Preds to pick up Greiss.

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by Aditya T (smashville) on Oct 12, 2010 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

so with B2B vs STL...

Can we expect Pekka to play on Thursday?
That article/interview in the city paper sounded like Pekka was feeling okay…

by Broadwaybully on Oct 12, 2010 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

Belak

I hope they slide him in at Erats spot in the lineup. I’d really like to see what he could do with Wilson and Lombardi…

by Predneck on Oct 12, 2010 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

hahahhahahahahahah.

by cisar on Oct 12, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Just the thought..

of Belak being in the lineup against the Blackhawks scares me more than having Lindback in goal.

by Predaceous on Oct 12, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

not so fast

In the offseason Chicago signed defenseman John Scott, who they’re having to regularly play. He’s quite the pugilist and just a general idiot, so don’t be surprised if Wade teaches him some manners.

by Chris Burton on Oct 12, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow. Not what I wanted to hear, but a Pekka injury is better this early in the year than later. I don’t think we needed Greiss. In reality, he’s not much more experienced than Lindback who has a lot of pro experience in Sweden. Lindback also has higher upside.

The problem could end up being Thursday’s game.

by Chris Burton on Oct 12, 2010 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

IF (big IF) Pekka’s injury is truly as minor as we’re being led to believe, then I’m almost glad it happened now rather than later. Might as well test the kids early, before it’s too late. We can always trade for Greiss later if Lindback and/or Dekanich can’t handle it.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Oct 12, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions