Tuesday's news: Efforts appreciated, results preferred for the Preds

The Nashville Predators will try to shake off their current funk tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes, bolstered by the fact that while they can't seem to score goals these days, at least they're holding down the Goals Against enough to stay competitive. Can the forwards bust through against Ilya Bryzgalov and the tight Phoenix defense? Check out Chris' Game Day Preview for more on the matchup.

After the jump, we've got a ton of Preds-related commentary ranging from the prospects to the pros, news of another NHL franchise being sold, and a look at hockey's equivalent to LeBron James' return to Cleveland this week...

Do you want to go to tonight's game against the Phoenix Coyotes? Use the OtF discount to save money on Nashville Predators tickets for these, or any other home game. Remember, Preds tickets can make a great holiday gift, so look through the schedule, and pick out a game!

Nashville Predators News

Despite Stellar Statistics, Losses Are Personal For Predators Goaltender - Predlines
Pekka's holding up his end of the bargain (although I wouldn't call his 18th-ranked Save Percentage "stellar"), but the Preds' paltry offense leaves him no margin for error.

Tuesday AJenda: Talkin’ Trades & Turkeys " Pull My (Fang)Finger
AJ jumps on the Blake Wheeler bandwagon, and points out that the Preds have often struggled right after Thanksgiving.

Confessions of a Predators Fanatic: and I just keep going back for more...
Kelly takes us along on the roller coaster ride of a die-hard fan these days.

Hockey Night in Nashville: Positive News!
Robby takes a break from the kvetching over on-ice performance to celebrate the high attendance marks so far.

Paul McCann - Preds at the Quarter Pole
Paul's not hitting the panic button, but his finger is hovering over the control panel.

Preds On The Glass: Predators Need A Regulation Win Tonight and Tuesday Tidbits
Buddy's morning links include the hope that Ed Jovanovski doesn't post another hat trick tonight.

Greetings From Smashville! Season 13 Week 8 | The Hockey Writers
Jas recaps a very difficult week here in Smashville.

Taylor Beck tops high profile group of Nashville Predators junior prospects - Hockey's Future
Connor Jennings provides an update on how the crops are growing down on the farm.

Grading the Admirals Through the First Quarter of the Season | Admirals Roundtable
It's too bad that the one guy who's really tearing it up for Milwaukee is also the one the Preds can't really use at the moment, goaltender Mark Dekanich.

Losing record at this — or any — point does not sit well with Rinne | Nashville City Paper
Pekka isn't any happier with an OTL than a plain old L.

Staying focused on the 'Predator way' - Predators Insider
Colin Wilson's latest update suggests that Barry Trotz's mantras are sinking in. He apparently needs to "pay more attention to detail" and likes playing on new lines all the time.

Nashville Predator recalls scary high stick injury - The Tennessean
Cody Franson shares what happened when a Sean Avery stick came up and hit him in the throat. It's a refreshing (and rare) departure from the "upper body injury" talk which we're accustomed to.

The Predators without Legwand - Predators Insider
I agree that David Legwand is important to the Preds, but I can't stand the Wins/Losses with & without a player approach. It's the most overblown stat to use for goalies, and it applies even less so to individual skaters.

Continue your holiday shopping at the OtF Store, where all prices now include free shipping. We've got the "Me So Hornqvist" and "Pass it to Shea..." t-shirts, and a whole lot more.

Around the NHL

The Hockey News: Headlines: Terry Pegula signs letter of intent to buy Buffalo Sabres for $150 million
Ken Campbell puts the lie to official denials from yesterday.

Canada Announces U20 Selection Camp Roster - Puck Worlds
Bruce provides an overview of Team Canada's group, and pegs Ryan Ellis as a potential captain.

Video: Sidney Crosby's slew foot on Callahan, to Dubinsky's anger - Puck Daddy
You don't have to be a dirty player to engage in cheap, dangerous tactics. Was this is a slew foot, or wasn't it? It's certainly a close call, but Crosby's defense sounded pretty weak. 

Blue Jackets stand up for their new phallic mascot - Puck Daddy
Maybe Columbus is just angling for a Viagra sponsorship?

Dany Heatley — and all of Ottawa — well aware of what’s coming later in week when Sharks face Sens | Working the Corners
When the former Senator plays his old teammates, it stirs up ghosts of that awkward summer of 2009, when Heatley demanded a trade out of Ottawa.

Down Goes Brown: Homecoming week: Dany Heatley vs. Lebron James
Comparing Heatley's homecoming to the obvious NBA equivalent, the DGB way.

The NHL's penalty leaders so far this season - From The Rink
Mike Chen breaks down the leading penalty-takers across a variety of categories. Notably, there's not a single Nashville Predator to be found.

The Hock Project: Some Things Never Change They Just Get Marginally Better
Corey gets down to exactly why the Habs are playing well this season.

Kevin Smith Casts Nicholas Braun as Lead in Hit Somebody " Puck The Media
Steve Lepore brings us hockey news from the silver screen...

Is P.K Subban a victim of racism in the NHL? - Habs Eyes On The Prize
I don't think so, but P.K. has drawn criticism for running his mouth on the ice. 

The Secret of Atlanta’s Success - Houses of the Hockey
Kent Wilson doesn't see the Thrashers' current hot streak as sustainable, so enjoy those points while you get 'em, Atlanta.

The League of Extraordinary Statisticians: The Underrated - Behind The Net
A number of hockey wonks chime in on historically overlooked hockey heroes.

Kings, not Canucks, the latest rumoured destination for Caps forward Fleischmann - The White Towel
A mysterious comment on Twitter by Dmitri Chesnokov got people thinking that Washington's Tomas Fleischmann was about to be dealt, so some people started speculating about a possible deal with Nashville. I touched on that possibility last night.

On media feuds, the motives of a blogger and why we all belong - Broad Street Hockey
Travis cuts through a lot of the nonsense surrounding this "controversy".

Salary Doesn't Matter - Bird Watchers Anonymous
More evidence that suggests teams like Nashville should have no excuses about competing with the big boys.

Be sure to "Like" our site on Facebook (now at www.facebook.com/OnTheForecheck)! To keep up with all of our coverage of the Nashville Predators, you can follow us on Twitter (@Forechecker, @predatweeter, @SLakePreds & @AdsRoundtable) and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at the.forechecker@gmail.com.