Nashville Predators to meet Chicago Blackhawks in 1st round of Stanley Cup Playoffs
by Dirk Hoag on Apr 11, 2010 6:18 PM EDT
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PrintThanks to a combination of a Los Angeles Kings victory and an overtime win for Detroit at Chicago, the Nashville Predators finished 7th in the Western Conference standings, and will meet the Blackhawks as the #2 seed in the opening round of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The matchup is the first between the two Central Division rivals. The Preds went 2-4 against Chicago this season, but the two teams have not played each other since December 27.
So what do you think, folks? We'll have a full breakdown of this series in the coming days, so check out Second City Hockey (SB Nation's Chicago Blackhawks blog), but in the meantime I'll toss out a few ideas to get you started:
- Key matchup: David Legwand vs. Jonathan Toews
- This series will feature a rare set of Finnish goaltenders - Pekka Rinne is playing well enough to steal any given game for the Preds, while Antti Niemi has apparently usurped the highly-paid Cristobal Huet in the Chicago net.
- The fact that the Blackhawks are expected to be without Brian Campbell and Kim Johnsson presents a huge opportunity for the Predators. They'll need to get aggressive on the forecheck and put pressure on other defensemen who will be asked to carry the puck up-ice.
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Am I correct...
in saying that we only faced Niemi in one of the six contests this season? It was the 4-5 debacle that we lost in the waning seconds if I remember.
"Get to the Choppa!"
Campbell got hurt March 14th against the Caps in that now famous play by Ovechkin.
Johnsson was hurt the day before in Philadelphia. He got a concussion on a play that wasn’t very noticeable. He’s been a mystery since then. Nobody has heard from him and its rumored to be a very bad concussion. Hasn’t skated since that day.
by Original Six on Apr 11, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
We get a break in the playoffs
Even though The Kings and Red Wings won today, San Jose’s win last night made the changes very slim to face them. And we get lucky to face someone other than Detroit or San Jose. And with the crazy schedule we got, having to face Chicago in the first half of the season doesn’t do a lot for either team, since a lot has happened since the last match-up. All that is left is to see how strong Chicago is when we first face them. They might have home field advantage this round, but as long as it’s nothing like the weather here in Nashville, maybe we can take advantage of some good ice for once.
Flame Alchemist VS Fullmetal Alchemist (anime TV show) has the same rivalry as the Predators VS Red Wings. They both wear the same colors: Blue VS Red.
Go Preds!
beat the tar out of the Hawks
TULO = 2010 MVP!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
LETS GO WINGS!
I like our chances
I like our chances. Did I already say that?
Bring on the Blackhawks!!
Not too far to travel, either.
Preds in six. Win the round on home ice.
Leggy has two goals in first game. ;)
The travel angle is especially nice. Not too far, same time zone. That’s a rarity in the Western Conference.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
Aren't you guys on EDT?
Or are my timezones all messed up? When I saw the updated standings I was thrilled we weren’t seeing the Kings, because I like sleeping.
Knoxville is
Anything west of Cookeville is central
by Great Paperclip on Apr 13, 2010 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Learn something new every day
That’s a definite advantage for our teams then, and the flight is shorter than Vancouver-LA, so I’d say we’re in the best shape for travel in this conference.
Bold is good!
I like it! 2 Goals against the Hawks’ top line? Go Leggy ;)
BTW…there’s no chance that Wardo took a Shea Weber puck to the body last night is there? I was worried about that when Trotzy said Joel was stepping in the danger zone for Horndog.
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 11, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
We really dodged a bullet in not playing the Sharks
We got this.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 11, 2010 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
Just trolled the second city site...
They are licking their proverbial chops at the chance of playing the Preds. I hope we beat the holy he!! outta them. I’m from Chicago and I went to a Pred/Hawks game right after Xmas…I forgot just how ignorant and obnoxious Chicago fans can be. Their fans are saying they don’t know any Pred players besides Erat, Sully and Arnott- although some have a healthy dose of fear about Rinne. They also think we have only one scoring line:) I just hope Bertuzzi or Hossa (or Sharp, or Kane or Toews) is introduced to a Shea Weber slap shot up close and personal. They’ll remember who he is real quick after that….
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 11, 2010 8:36 PM EDT reply actions
I like to think that people
at least know about Suter/Weber. Especially after the Olympics…I have some Chicago connections, and they’re kind of saying the same things. “We got lucky,” kinda deal. Which is fine…but most fans of the Blackhawks hate the style of hockey that the Preds play, so that’s a plus
by Great Paperclip on Apr 11, 2010 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Bertuzzi doesn’t play for the Hawks.
Outside of Erat, Sullivan, Arnott, and Weber, I’d say most NHL fans can’t name too many Preds. Hornqvist is probably playing his way into relativity so far this season with his numbers. Rinne can really make a name for himself by having a big series against the Hawks too. But honestly, it isn’t too absurd to say that the Predators lack star power. Some of that is thanks to the awful NHL tv deal, but I think a lot of that has to do with the style that the Predators play with. Its much more of a team game than in most other cities, so it isn’t as conducive to having a superstar player.
(and yeah, I really hate games against the Preds because the trap bores the life out of me.)
by Original Six on Apr 11, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry my bad...had Bertuzzi moment.
Read it in the Hawks/Wings game thread and it stuck. Bertuzzi has been a Pred killer this year too.
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 11, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Its okay.
I’m a firm believer that Bertuzzi should be in prison right now anyways.
by Original Six on Apr 11, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely.
I’m bummed that we stopped booing every time he gets the puck. That went on for at least two years post-Moore-attack.
by LuvthePreds on Apr 11, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey now.
Aren’t we supposed to hate each other now? Stop agreeing with me damnit!
by Original Six on Apr 11, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Never fear...
…there are plenty of anti-Hawks plans in development. I have other reasons to hate you: I’ve seen the classlessness of the Hawks game threads, and have been to Chicago (not to a game, but wow, Chicago drivers are rude!) Besides, it’s not saying much that we’re united in hating on Bettuzzi…
by LuvthePreds on Apr 11, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, don’t worry. I hated the Hawks less than anyone in the division, but I’m coming around real quick like.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 11, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
: )
I’ve hated on Kane since the news broke about the assault on the cabbie over TWENTY CENTS! I was also very unpleasantly surprised at the average game day thread at their SBNation site. It’s interesting how different fan bases seem to be. The Hurricanes seem to be most like us: good-natured ribbing, all in fun. The Hawks threads have obscene language in 9 of 10 posts. I show my kids OTF content all the time, but would block the CHI SBNation site from my daughter’s laptop!
by LuvthePreds on Apr 11, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm glad for that
I have kids myself and want to be able to share this stuff with them. The nice thing about SB Nation, however, is that each community can set its own standards. What works in one city just wouldn’t fly in another…
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
It's only fitting that a classy organization like the Preds would have someone like you...
…with high standards, representing them here. And that Kane’s team would have, well, the opposite.
by LuvthePreds on Apr 12, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I know that you won't get it,
but my responseto the above type of comments is as follows:
a
/Note unceasing sarcastic laughter in background.
by burpchelischili on Apr 12, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
"a"
Yep. You’re right. I don’t get it. : )
by LuvthePreds on Apr 12, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm confused
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 12, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
heh,
meaning I do not think that the time it would take to explain why I disagree with your position would be a worthwhile endeavor.
Do I show my daughter the SCH posts? No. Do I agree with hypocritical censoring? No. I tend to type at SCH like I talk to my friends and the male members of my family. Evidently on some sites they prefer to talk like I do to customers and the majority of the female members of my family.
See? “a” is just easier and quicker, yet it acknowledges that your words have been noticed.
/Note unceasing sarcastic laughter in background.
by burpchelischili on Apr 12, 2010 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Clarification
I don’t really remember whether the site administrator for the Hawks here talks the same way as the average fan there, so should have clarified that I was speaking of him (or her?), but of the language in general there.
by LuvthePreds on Apr 12, 2010 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Just checked the post-game write-up.
Never mind. No need to have clarified the distinction, after all.
at that point, just don't respond
I mean, you know?
by Great Paperclip on Apr 12, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...
I never said that I was able to keep from poking at a caged cat. If every 20 year old that has done something “idiotic” is automatically labeled as classless for the rest of his life… Then I have to believe that there is an absolute load of classless people on this site as well.
/Note unceasing sarcastic laughter in background.
by burpchelischili on Apr 13, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
My response to these type of comments
is “a.”
I don’t know that you’ll get it though
by Great Paperclip on Apr 13, 2010 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Awwww...
they grow up so fast…
/Note unceasing sarcastic laughter in background.
by burpchelischili on Apr 13, 2010 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions
That's one of the things that's really fun to do before the games...
guess which Pred will show up. While I’d like a superstar it’s nice to know that any line on your team has the potential to get a goal.
by Great Paperclip on Apr 11, 2010 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
These two teams really haven't played each other
Both teams were completely different four months ago
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 11, 2010 9:19 PM EDT reply actions
Yes...
The Preds are a lot better on the whole and the Hawks’ D is not what it was. Nashville just has to remember to play THEIR game…if they get sucked into the Hawks’ run and gun game it’ll be a short series for our heros. Trap the hell outta of em and wait patiently for our chances…if we do that then I really like the Pred’s odds of moving on to round 2.
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 11, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Biggest key imo is winning on of the first 2 in the Windy City
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 11, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
*one of the first two
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 11, 2010 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree
time for you guys to end the 0 for road record in your playoff history
TULO = 2010 MVP!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
LETS GO WINGS!
by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 11, 2010 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Whew. More confirmation Horndog will be ready to go
``We’ll have a bet ter indication, but I think we’re pro cee ding that Patric (Hornqvist) will be ready for Game One. The only other guy that has any issues is (Denis) Grebeshkov, and he’s get ting ram ped up every day. I don’t expect him to play in the first couple days anyway.’’
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 11, 2010 9:32 PM EDT reply actions
Sweet!
….and now that the first game is on Friday we might get to see Grebeshkov sooner than they though
Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...
www.manningface.com
by Michaeltastic on Apr 11, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats a good point. I’m not licking my chops, but I like our chances. Their best puck moving d are both out. If we can get our forwards to forecheck like all hell it will be verrrrrry innerestin’.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 11, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn't he be out longer for a broken bone?
Will definitely work in the Preds favor to have longer for Hornqvist and Greb. to be game-ready.
by LuvthePreds on Apr 12, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Playoffs!!! (And Beards)
First off I Really Really Like this match up, and am pretty excited for Playoffs in Smashville. I think this will be an Exciting matchup and if the A-Game Preds show up to play, I dont see a reason that we don’t advance.
now, that said. here are some rules for all the playoff Beard Folks…….(stole this from http://www.doubtaboutit.com/2008/04/guide-to-playoff-beard.html) I am going to work on updating it to reflect the Preds and not the Penguins. but the basic rules are the same. LETS GO PREDS!
THE TEN RULES TO GROWING A PLAYOFF BEARD
1. You don’t have to commit to the beard, just do something else that is a ritual. Maybe you set your alarm clock to 9:18 (Dupuis : Hossa) everyday. I don’t care what, just do something.
2. Once you commit, you commit. No shaving because it gets hot in June or your parents want you to for graduation or work or anything like that. Once you’re in, you’re in. Don’t mess things up for the Pens now. I am sure that some ***hole shaved his beard allowing David Volek to score his overtime goal because he had a job interview or something much less important than a Stanley cup the next day. Don’t do that to Pittsburgh. DON’T BE THAT GUY.
3. If you can’t grow a beard and still try, or can only grow something that makes you resemble a Russian porn star, be aware that you may only be bringing the beard karma down. We’re striving for quality over quantity here.
4. If you can’t grow a beard, but one of your good friends can, you are required to try and get him to do it. He must be tough enough to put up with a beard even when it gets hot and also a Pens fan. Jean Sebastian Giguere of the Mighty Ducks hated his beard, but because teammates told him he could grow a "nasty one", he "did it for the team." It is your job to relay this spirit to your friends.
5. If you do grow a beard, you have to let your hair grow too. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. That’s the rule.
6. After a loss, and only after a loss, you are allowed to trim the beard. TRIM DOES NOT MEAN SHAVE! If you are confused about this concept, ask your girlfriend. If you are single, you can also ask the girlfriend of a Senators fan after you get done slamming her behind his back.
7. After a win, you do nothing to the beard. Nothing. Even if the next playoff series is a week away. DON’T TOUCH IT.
8. The last one was a lie. You should thank it and ask it to continue giving you luck and wisdom through a playoff run. (If you grow a playoff beard, you will become smarter. Or you will appear smarter, one of the two.)
9. If you know someone who grows a beard for another team and that team is eliminated, you must make sure that he A.) shaves the beard and does not just try to hop on another team’s bandwagon and B.) hears comments like "babyface" or "hairless rat" for the remainder of the playoffs. I suggest the latter, because according to a New York paper "hairless rat" was the words a prostitute used to describe a certain part of Sean Avery.
10. If you have a friend or girlfriend who doesn’t like the beard, tell them to **** off. Penguins have BY FAR the hottest fan base around. If you lose one girl because of your commitment to a sports team, you will in turn pick up three much hotter girls because of that same commitment.
when you update it, put it in a fanpost
Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...
www.manningface.com
by Michaeltastic on Apr 12, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
The whole playoff beard takes on scary undertones...
…when it comes to Steve Sullivan’s ability to grow facial hair. That ‘stache he grew in November had a life of it’s own. I saw it challenge Belak to a fight just because Belak looked Sully in the eye. :)
Oh wait, I know…sick Sully’s beard on Kane for the duration. God knows Kane can’t grow any facial hair to compete with it. Kane will be in awe of the silky awesomeness of the Sully ’stache and forget all about the puck.
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 12, 2010 10:45 PM EDT reply actions
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