Preds get a winning streak started, top Columbus in shootout

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 2, 2010 7:44 AM EST in Nashville Predators Game Recaps

COLUMBUS OH - DECEMBER 01: Steve Sullivan #26 of the Nashville Predators scores the game winning shootout goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Nationwide Arena on December 1 2010 in Columbus Ohio. The Predators defeated the Blue Jackets 4-3 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Things looked bleak when they fell behind in the 3rd period, but a game-tying goal by Kevin Klein and a shootout winner by Steve Sullivan gave the Nashville Predators a 4-3 win last night in Columbus. The win lifts the Preds back into the thick of a crowd atop the Western Conference standings.

Follow after the jump for the video highlights and advanced even-strength stats...

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First, the video highlights:

And the stats (sorry for the lack of reaction, I had a game last night so missed most of this one):

Even Strength		Individual Totals					Team Totals While Player Is On Ice
Player	Pos	EV TOI	Shots	Shts Blkd	Missed Shts	Blocks	SOG For	SOG Ag	SOG +/-	Tot SF	Tot SA	Corsi
Martin Erat	R	17:51	3	1	1	0	12	6	+6	18	8	+10
Marcel Goc	C	17:02	5	1	1	0	15	7	+8	21	10	+11
Cal O'Reilly	C	15:39	1	0	0	1	5	9	-4	5	19	-14
Colin Wilson	C	14:18	2	0	0	0	5	9	-4	5	18	-13
Steve Sullivan	L	13:47	0	0	0	0	4	9	-5	6	16	-10
Sergei Kostitsyn	L	13:40	4	1	0	0	12	5	+7	17	6	+11
Joel Ward	R	13:24	2	2	0	0	6	5	+1	12	7	+5
Jordin Tootoo	R	10:54	2	1	0	1	6	4	+2	12	7	+5
Nick Spaling	C	9:46	0	0	2	0	3	4	-1	7	6	+1
Jerred Smithson	R	9:39	1	0	1	0	3	4	-1	9	6	+3
Patric Hornqvist	R	7:00	2	1	0	0	4	4	0	9	5	+4
J-P Dumont	R	5:20	0	0	0	0	4	4	0	6	5	+1
Francis Bouillon	D	22:32	0	2	0	1	18	6	+12	27	10	+17
Ryan Suter	D	20:47	2	0	0	0	9	11	-2	13	18	-5
Kevin Klein	D	20:25	1	1	0	2	16	7	+9	26	10	+16
Shea Weber	D	19:18	1	0	1	1	6	11	-5	10	18	-8
Shane O'Brien	D	11:12	0	0	0	0	3	8	-5	6	13	-7
Cody Franson	D	9:44	1	0	0	0	2	7	-5	4	11	-7

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Comments

I may not be reading the table right, but it looks like 74/9/10 had a really good night , as did Bouillon and Klein.

by Chris Burton on Dec 2, 2010 8:47 AM EST reply actions

This game was actually more solid than last night...

Believe it or not. It was just because Columbus came out hungry. Klein had no big mistakes. Erat is still afraid of the net. But, solid effort all around. I give a lot of credit to Spaling though for killing 2 Columbus PPs by trying to score short-handed and taking tripping penalties.

by DonBorvio on Dec 2, 2010 8:50 AM EST reply actions

Question for the brainiacs (no offense intented)

So what is the general opinion of SK74? I know that he scored a goal last night but overall is the “experiment” living up to expectations? I see flashes here and there of maybe what SK could be. I just kinda wanted to get some other thoughts.

by ablairnash on Dec 2, 2010 9:55 AM EST reply actions

Also...

I am scared to say it but isn’t that 3 good games for Klein? Is Lucifer enjoying a snowcone right now?

by ablairnash on Dec 2, 2010 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

YES

It has been 3 good games for number 8. Maybe he’s reading our posts, and hearing that the fanbase wants to trade him …..

by XVIII on Dec 2, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

consistencey

if he brought the effort to every game that he did last night, then he would probably be on the first line and challenging O’Reilly for team lead in points. However, this hasn’t been the case so far. Also, i wish he would skate as hard to the Dzone as he does to the Ozone.

"It's gonna be fun on the bun."

by flyalder on Dec 2, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

In my opinion, he’s a marginal NHLer. Given the price, he’s fine to have in the lineup, but I just can’t buy the hype that he’s top-six material.

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by Dirk Hoag on Dec 2, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

SK

I agree. I am trying hard to like the guy, but just can’t get on the SK bandwagon asof yet. He still has alot to prove. And no his not a top 6 guy. Maybe one day if he gets it together. But no where near it now.

by SinBinPred on Dec 2, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

SK74

My opinion is that he has skills that surface – but he’s not consistent, game to game – yet. I’m hoping that he can really break through and be consistent night after night. I think price wise – he was a good pick. He just needs to get it in his head that he needs to bring his A game every night. His shooting acuracy is good – right now at 20% – but I also think he needs a bit more ice time to show his game. Seems like he does have some smarts though, the way he plays. Although I have to wonder, and I don’t know for certain, but does he speak english very well? I mention this because of the level of communication that he has with the coaches, and his team mates.

by XVIII on Dec 2, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

SK74

Well we are definetly giving him a chance to prove himself here. I can’t help but think that he was living in his brother’s shadow in Montreal. Plus the problem’s that he had there with the coach. There is a thin line between love and hate with this guy. One screw up and everyone will hate him. He has alot to prove on and off the ice. I think its cool that he is getting his chance here though.

by SinBinPred on Dec 2, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

SK74 has a LOT to prove – and I think not being in Montreal sure does help his case. I wonder if Montreal tried to have their own brother pair with the Kostitsyn’s – like the Canuks’ Sedin brothers. If so, it didn’t work out quite the way Montreal wanted it to. SK has to improve a lot if he want to be a top 6 guy though. All in all, I’m glad he’s at least getting the chance here in Nashville.

by XVIII on Dec 2, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

Lots of nice work but one shot to remember

Spaling is doing everything on the ice but score, Kleiner’s boomer was amazing for being so unexpected, and Erat’s sudden shot shocked everyone including Steve Mason. Too bad the crossbar got in the way. But the post-game toast goes to Sully. By the time he’d shimmied to the paint, Mason was completely out of the crease! Now, about those giveaways, Steve….

by Hockey Hillbilly on Dec 2, 2010 11:09 AM EST reply actions

Suter

I cant believe that no one has mentioned Suter in last night’s game. I thought for sure that the 3 on 1 was gonna be a bad moment for us. Suter laid out there nicely to help Rinne save it. We just seem so much more confident when he is in the game. So SUITS, WE LOVE YOU BROTHER!! Now stay healthy!

by SinBinPred on Dec 2, 2010 11:34 AM EST reply actions

Better to be lucky than good

Last night was a win but the game was Columbus’s game to win and they just couldn’t put the puck in the net. They had too many chances that should have been goals. Suter and Weber on the goals that did happen looked bad. Nash showed why he is one of the best scorers in the game. That move he made which resulted in Vermette’s 2nd goal was a thing of beauty. That something that our players don’t ever do is go to the net. Suter just waved at him. Rinne stood out and kept the game close and stoned them in the shootout. The goals we scored were just plays that just happened but no one line stood out. Like Suter’ Klein looked good on his goal but looked badly on their first goal.
Suter and Weber are reading their press clippings because defensively they aren’t playing well. Somehow they are afraid to hit people. What’s with the limited mins for Dumont and Hornqvist? I know Dumont gave the puck away a couple of times but 5 min and 7 mins? OR had a nice assist on the first goal but he Olee’d Russel and let him come right down the slot to score their second goal. If Dumont did that he would be in Trotz’s doghouse. I say if that’s where Dumont is then we should ask him to waive his NTC and let him go somewhere else

by roseyc on Dec 2, 2010 12:37 PM EST reply actions

SK74

Why is everyone praising Klein, but so reserved about Kostitsyn? The whole reason Klein scored is Kostitsyn’s screen/opening of the shooting lane…I think Klein even commented on the quality of screen in the post game. I am kind of hoping Chris(?) is going to break Klein’s goal down in his film room segment. His breakdown’s definitely give more credit to who is doing the little things. Kostitsyn has looked better as the season has progressed and he finally has a chance on a producing line, so I am holding my judgment until we see this line together for a few games (if Trotz allows).

by Predmonton on Dec 2, 2010 9:35 PM EST reply actions

??

I don’t think anyone is really ‘praising’ Klein – just noting the fact that he had the last 3 games without any wimpy passes, stupid turnovers, and any major, how was it put earlier, Prilosec OTC moments … Although, being that Klein’s goal was what evened up the score, I second your request where that goal is broken down – to see what everyone was doing … ALthough, you gotta admit – that was a very decent slap shot that stayed on the ice, and Mason didn’t even see it.

by XVIII on Dec 3, 2010 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

I feel the overall opinion here is that we actually dont care much for Klein. He is very inconsistent and often is everywhere but where he should be out there. We are trying to find something positive with is play. And the last few games he has done OK at best. As far as SK74 is concerned, I only see him on the Offensive side of things. Defensively he doesnt do a whole lot. He doesnt hustle back to play D. And snowbirds almost every play at the blue line waiting to get something. I know he has had some good games with Goc and Erat. But lets see what happens with him. For some reason I still have a hard time liking the guy.

by SinBinPred on Dec 6, 2010 10:37 AM EST up reply actions