Tuesday's news: Predators stand out in advanced stats

While we get ready for the stress-filled race to the playoffs to continue tonight in Atlanta, we have word this morning that some of the Nashville Predators lead the way (both positively and negatively) in two advanced measures of player effectiveness.

Radio Note: The Thom Abraham Show will talk with Mike Johnson of the NHL Network in the 4:00 hour this afternoon. Ahead of tonight's game, you can listen to their segment with Colin Wilson from yesterday afternoon, in which he talks about the prospect of playing on the top line with Jason Arnott:

Colin Wilson on Thom Abraham Show 20100308

After the jump, we've also got a TV Note for you, and all of your morning hockey news, which includes the word on the gruesome injury suffered by Denis Grebeshkov, which will keep him out of the lineup for some time...

TV Note: Stay tuned to Fox Sports TN after tonight's game, as the following special will be aired:

Make sure to tune in to FOX Sports Tennessee on March 9 at 9 p.m. CT (following the Predators vs. Thrashers  game at 6 p.m. CT.) for the debut of Under the Lights: Barry Trotz, a 30-minute all-access special spotlighting the Nashville Predators' coach and his game-day routine before a home contest against the Detroit Red Wings.

Under the Lights: Barry Trotz follows the Predators coach through his typical day-of-game routine, from watching tape before morning skate at Bridgestone Arena to a team meeting with the coaching staff to breakdown their opponent and a pre-game workout after lunch.  Trotz also introduces viewers to his wife and children, including eight-year-old Nolan, who has Down's syndrome.  A wireless microphone worn by Trotz during the game against the Red Wings provides unique insight into the emotion and intensity of an NHL match up and how the coach leads his team through a game.

Predators News

The League’s Five Most Inconsistent Goalies - Hockey or Die
Well, at least Pekka Rinne made a Top Five list in something this season. What? This isn't good? Uh oh...

How Consistent Are NHL Goalies? - Hockey or Die
Jonathan Willis then provides a more complete list of NHL goalies, so you can compare how Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis compare this season.

Exceeding Expectations: Top Corsi Overachievers - Behind The Net
For fans of the Erat-Goc-Hornqvist line that was prevalent earlier this season, here's some powerful statistical evidence describing just how effective they've been. Marcel Goc and Martin Erat top Hawerchuk's leaderboard of players who drive Totals Shots For & Against in a positive direction for their team.

Injury jinx follows Grebeshkov - Edmonton Journal
It's too bad we had to get this news through the Edmonton media, but yeow, Denis Grebeshkov's injury is a NASTY one...

Preds 101: This I Used to Believe: Part 1 – This is OUR Time!
Sometimes a long, difficult road trip brings out the best in the Predators, and tonight would be a great time for the team to get things back together.

Things Get Dickensian at Bridgestone Arena: The Canucks vs Nashville - The Hockey Writers
Jas has some good, bad, and ugly from Sunday's loss to Vancouver.

Preds fail to address biggest need once again, so what if… | Section 303
Jeremy calls out David Poile for not acquiring any one of three scoring wingers last summer. His strongest case is perhaps tied to Maxim Afinogenov, although I doubt he would have prospered in Nashville as he has in Atlanta.

Predators injuries prompt Trotz to ask for ‘A’ games - Nashville City Paper
With two regular defensemen down, the Preds need the remaining D (and the forward lines) to step into the gap.

Nashville Predators hope lineup change helps fortunes - The Tennessean
Will another set of line changes shake up the Preds and lead to a complete performance tonight? Barry Trotz sure hopes so...

Around the NHL

GMs' debate: 'Do we take shoulders to the head out of the game?' - USATODAY.com
The only thing that's clear to me is that NHL GM's really don't want to do anything about head shots. They are far more concerned about possible consequences of rule changes than the well-being of players.

Change in playoff rules probably won't have much steam - USATODAY.com
Some of the proposals that get raised at the annual GM meetings are mind-blowingly stupid, and this year, Columbus GM Scott Howson takes the cake with his suggestion that the standings get even more complicated.

What If Everybody in Canada Flushed At Once? | Pat's Papers
A hilarious graphical display of what the Olympic Gold Medal Game meant for Edmonton's water system. Hat tip to Pat Keirnan for sharing this on Twitter (where you can follow me at @Forechecker)>.

Are Expensive Goaltenders worth the Money? - Behind The Net
I, for one, am glad that Pekka Rinne's contract is for only two years. Goaltending is such a tricky area, you don't want to be locked in to a guy who doesn't live up to the billing for a long time.

Modin Conditions Learned (Puck-Rakers Blog)
Wow, Columbus basically gave Fredrik Modin to the Los Angeles Kings for nothing, and I mean "nothing".

Ryan Jones Tears MCL, Out 4 Weeks - The Copper & Blue
Minnesota Wild goon Derek Boogaard has pretty much ended Ryan Jones' season with a flagrant knee shot.

The 100 Man March - Hockey Independent
Between 100-200 New York Rangers fans rallied yesterday to call for the firing of GM Glen Sather, about 10% of the turnout that was hoped for. It wasn't a total failure, though, as Slats signed a couple of them to long-term, multi-million dollar contracts.

Statistics key to business as well as hockey - The Globe and Mail
This isn't really hockey related, but it is hilarious. This business column advises companies to track their statistics like hockey does, to build a path towards success. If a business gathered its data as shoddily as the NHL does, however, it would be in sorry shape.