On the Forecheck: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Off Tackle Empire interviews Rich Rodriguez

Predators can't recover from costly penalties, lose to San Jose 4-3

The Nashville Predators put in a great effort at times tonight against San Jose, but sensational work by Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and two power play goals from Dany Heatley sent the Predators to defeat, 4-3.

Check the right sidebar for video highlights from the NHL widget, and further reaction below.

Star-divide

The first two periods were evenly played, with the score tied at 2-2 and the shots on goal at 22 for each side. The two Nashville goals came from J.P. Dumont, who has been publicly called out by Barry Trotz in recent days, and seen a drastic reduction in ice time. Will this be enough to get him back on a top line?

Using the phrase that Trotz mentioned in his post-game press conference, however, there was no margin for error available for the Preds as they hung even with San Jose. All it took was a bad penalty from Dan Hamhuis midway through the 3rd to break things open. With the rest of his teammates going off for a change, Hammer dumped the puck into the right corner and pursued it aggressively, boarding Kent Huskins as a result. The Sharks converted quickly on the power play (they clicked on 2-of-4 chances tonight), and from there it was a matter of hanging on.

Nashville did a fine job of generating pressure in the final minutes, but Nabokov was spectacular in turning them aside. The top line of Jason Arnott with Steve Sullivan and Patric Hornqvist put 13 shots on goal (9 alone by the captain), but rebound chances were few and far between.

Pekka Rinne had a good, but not great night in the Nashville net, stopping 25 of 29 San Jose shots. He wasn't the reason Nashville lost the game, but he did struggle with some puckhandling decisions that led to extra pressure in the Preds' end of the ice.

The Predators resume their home schedule after the Olympic break with 10 home games in the month of March. Be sure to take advantage of this coupon code for discounted Nashville Predators tickets.

Poll
Who is your Predator of the Game?
J.P. Dumont, 2 goals
27 votes
Cal O'Reilly, 3 assists
25 votes
Joel Ward, goal
1 votes

53 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I was at

the game last night and loved the energy the guy’s played with. was pretty even for awhile on SOG. Hammy’s penalty was the decision maker. i thought the boy’s played with a lot of heart. wish we would have had Goc.

by bluegrassbaby on Feb 7, 2010 8:20 AM EST reply actions  

Yeah, I imagine Goc must not have been 100%. The frustrating point is that it’s not like the Sharks were amazingly disciplined (Tootoo drew a couple retaliation penalties from them), but Hamhuis’ penalty did turn the tide.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 7, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Boarding call on Staubitz should have been AT LEAST a double minor

From where I was sitting it looked like punched Toots in the head as he was trying to stand up after being boarded. That’s as dirty as it gets.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Feb 7, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Olympians' introductions

That was quite an inspiring moment before the game, despite Marcel Goc’s absence, and a reminder of the vaulted level of the game available to us in Middle Tennessee.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Feb 7, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions  

Great atmosphere in the building last night

The boys played real well. This loss hurts, but not as bad as it would if we had gotten steamrolled. If nothing else, JP worked his way out of the dog house. That darn Nabokov, he was great in the third. I was sitting a few rows off the glass by him ,gotta say it was quite a performance. We threw a lot at him in the third, good effort by The Preds even though we couldn’t pull it out.

by hockeydekefreak on Feb 7, 2010 1:52 PM EST reply actions  

It's important to remember

Trotz called Dumont out for playing an incomplete game – as in, you’re not just here to play offense.

I’m glad JP scored some goals, but was he on the ice for any Sharks even-strength goals?

by stackiii on Feb 7, 2010 2:22 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Nashville Predators.
Start posting about the Predators »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Bradtoylaser_small
NHL 11 Team Play (PS3)
Small
Realignment...Gone Mental!
Reggiemiller_small
Do Predators fans have realistic hopes that the team can compete for the Stanley Cup?
Predators_licenseplate_small
The Biggest Battle to Keep An Eye on at Training Camp
Picture-7100_small
The Road Less Traveled, or Highway to the Comfort Zone?
Small
A Guide to Predators Ticket Sales
Small
Room For Improvement
74395_small
The Chairman of the Predators ....
Hockey_puck_small
Fifty years of hockey in Nashville?  Really?
Small
Cheap shot by Puck daddy

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

On the Forecheck's online store

About Me

Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats & analysis, and managing editor of On the Forecheck.

Get OTF on your Kindle!

Me_medium_medium

Got a question or a suggestion? Feel free to email the.forechecker@gmail.com.

Follow Forechecker on Twitter

Named by Sports Media Challenge as a Top 10 NHL Blog

SBNation.com Recent Stories

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 16:  A fan of the Philadelphia Flyers holds up a sign reading "Next Goalie" behind goalie Carey Price #32 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Habs Finally Lock Up Carey Price, Sign Goalie To Two-Year Deal

National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman answers questions during a pre-game media availability before the Pittsburgh Penguins season opener against the New York Rangers in a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) +25 updates

Ultimatum? NHL Reportedly Threatens To Toss Out Kovalchuk, Luongo Deals Without NHLPA Concessions

Photo +1 updates

Report: Donald Fehr Hands NHLPA List Of Conditions On Becoming Union Leader

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Forechecker_35_small Dirk Hoag

Muckers

Predsalternate_small Chris Burton

Grinders

Smashville2_small Aditya T (smashville)

Predators_licenseplate_small SLake

Adslogo_small AdmiralsShortShifts

Picture-7100_small Anthony Neal