Thursday's news: Preds back in the mix

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 9, 2010 10:31 AM EST in Nashville Predators News

DETROIT MI - DECEMBER 08: Kevin Klein #8 of the Nashville Predators watches the game winning goal by J-P Dumont #71 (not shown) go past Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena on December 8 2010 in Detroit Michigan. The Predators defeated the Red Wings 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Thanks to some scrappy play over the last two weeks, the Nashville Predators have climbed back into playoff position in the Western Conference, sitting in 7th place this morning. Things could change in a heartbeat, however, as spots 2-12 are separated by a mere 4 points! That makes the upcoming 3-game homestand an important stretch, as the Preds have been able to earn at least a point in 10 out of 11 home games so far.

After the jump, we've got all the reaction to last night's 3-2 nailbiter in Detroit, a preview of what will be a record-setting outdoor game, and a trial run for some of the new wrinkles we can expect to see during the NHL's All-Star Weekend...

The Preds' next home game is Saturday vs. Tomas Vokoun, Mike Santorelli, and the rest of the Florida Panthers, so take the OtF discount and save $8-24 each on your Nashville Predators tickets. Remember, Preds tickets can make a great holiday gift, so you can also look through the schedule, and buy tickets for any other home game!

Nashville Predators News

For recaps of last night's game check out What the Puck, The View From 111, Preds On The Glass, Hockey Night In Nashville, and from the opposite angle, Winging It In Motown.

Preds On The Glass: Predators Keep Pace in the Standings and Thursday Thoughts
Buddy's up and at 'em, with your one-way ticket to Mars!

The Sick Hockey Gear Team – Mark Dekanich
You wanna rock it like @dexshow? Get yourself some "Sick" hockey gear...

Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
Jordin Tootoo's scratch last night was a validation for Nick Spaling, writes Josh Cooper.

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.

Around the NHL

Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans ready to head back outdoors - NHL.com
Outdoor hockey in front of 110,000 people? That's all kinds of awesome.

Brampton Battalion tests events for Honda/NHLSuperSkills Competition - NHL.com
Brendan Shanahan had a junior team try out some of the new ideas being proposed for this year's All-Star Game, including having the goaltenders participate in the fastest skater and shooting accuracy events.

Edmonton Oilers without Horcoff: Tank, Trade or Hope? - The Copper & Blue
With key injuries striking an already-thin lineup, is it time to pack it in and continue the rebuild?

Bill Belichick: Hockey legend Scotty Bowman sees a lot he likes in New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick - chicagotribune.com
When Scotty Bowman talks, you should listen (or read).

Blues Lose McDonald Indefinitely To Concussion - NHL Hot Stove
St. Louis will be without Andy McDonald for quite a while.

Video: Difference between Sharks' win, Flyers' loss? 0.1 seconds - Puck Daddy
Video review really did its job last night as Philly almost pulled off an OT win.

A look back at the early years of the Habs on color TV - Habs Eyes On The Prize
Very, very cool stuff here, a look at the NHL of yesteryear.

The Five (or so) Stages of Dealing with the Disappointing New Jersey Devils - In Lou We Trust
It's been a traumatic autumn in New Jersey, so John Fischer helps Devils fans cope.

The Business of Sports - Fans upset when Panthers yarmulke giveaway goes awry
Now this was a schmozzle...

Panthers Fans Upset With Latest Promotion Aimed at Opposing Fans -- NHL FanHouse
Sticking with the Florida theme, should fans there object to marketing efforts designed to bring in fans from other teams? Given their situation, I say anything that gets people in the building is a good idea. They've got to earn revenue before they worry about defending turf.

Breaking Down and Analyzing the Islanders Rebuild - Lighthouse Hockey
I know it seems like the Islanders have been "rebuilding" forever, but I guess that's not really the case.

Lehtinen Officially Retires From NHL - Dallas Stars
One of the great defensive forwards of the last 20 years (if not all time), hangs 'em up.

Colorado Avalanche bag skate in Atlanta | All Things Avs
Another team gets the hard-practice treatment...

Amazing Things you can do with the new Behindthenet site - Behind The Net
Gabe's been busy, adding new functionality to his uber-stats site.

Puck and Punk: The NHL Color Scale: Blue
Cool stuff here, a look at the various tones of the color blue used in various NHL uniforms.

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Comments

About The Panthers

If I rooted for the Panthers I would be absolutely incensed about trying to get more of the opposing team’s fans in the building. If they really want to fill up that barn they should give them a decent team to root for.

by Predaceous on Dec 9, 2010 11:04 AM EST reply actions

Not shown?

You can see the puck just to the right of the near-side post. Is that caption provided by Getty?

by stackiii on Dec 9, 2010 11:26 AM EST reply actions

The caption is provided by Getty, but its referring to Dumont not being shown, I think.

by Chris Burton on Dec 9, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

Actually, that’s a great photo. Howard is still looking to Klein, presumed recipient of pass-first JP’s attention, as the shot zings to the net. Dumont isn’t in the picture but it’s a portrait of his best work since his backhand game-winner in the Chicago series last spring.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Dec 9, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

So, here's something interesting.

Funny how we slump until we play @Wild. Since that game we are 4-0-2. Last year, there was the early slump, then a win @Wild, then a couple wins/losses, then the 7-game win streak.

by DonBorvio on Dec 9, 2010 12:48 PM EST reply actions

What's up

WIth Cody Franson getting 12 minutes of ice time?

by XVIII on Dec 9, 2010 4:10 PM EST reply actions

Franson

Cody is our No. 6 defenseman. He doesn’t play on the PK, is very guarded by the coaching staff at ES due to his mobility issues, and gets a fair chunk of his minutes on PP2.

Last night against a speedy Detroit team, Franson was lucky to get the 4 minute double minor PP to insure that he got some extra PP time because there was no way that he was going to reach 10 minutes TOI at ES…

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Dec 9, 2010 6:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Thanks Seth

I took a look at his TOI stats on the last few games, noticed they were declining – nothing drastic, but declining – wasn’t sure if he was in the doghouse for some reason, or nursing an injury, as he had the least TOI for the defensemen.

by XVIII on Dec 10, 2010 9:52 AM EST up reply actions