Edmonton Oilers 3, Nashville Predators 1: Ill Communication
by Sam Page on Oct 18, 2011 1:10 AM EDT
in Nashville Predators Game Recaps
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163-115.
The Predators have been outshot in each of their first five games, 163-115 total. That's an 0-5 effort; the team is pretty lucky to even be 2-2-1. Tonight's story was more of the same--Pekka Rinne outplayed Nikolai Khabibulin for two periods, while most of the rest of the team putzed around. The Preds did strike first, at least. Sergei Kostitsyn amazingly decided to shoot instead of passing on a 2-1 and reaped his just reward, as the puck bled past Khabibulin.
In the third period, however, that familiar house of cards fell. The Oilers finally converted on one of their five power plays--a Taylor Hall one-timer from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at 5:29. Then Ryan Smyth got open on an unaffordable blown assignment at 7:31 and converted. The Predators had an opportunity on a late man-advantage to get the equalizer, but the power play couldn't even muster a shot, much less a goal.
During last season's playoff series against Anaheim, we harped on the importance of the Preds playing at even-strength. The Ducks had superior special teams and could easily win any game that devolved in a power play shootout. Tonight, when it became apparent the referees were going to call a really tight game, I couldn't even decide whether that helped the Preds or not. The power play still isn't great, but the Preds don't even have their bread-and-butter even-strength game to fall back on now.
More (mostly angry) thoughts and highlights after the jump.
- "Pekka is the exception. He's the only guy playing his balls off right now and if it wasn't for him, we don't have any points." --Jerred Smithson, after tonight's game.
- Honestly, though, Weber and Suter are the exception too. I wonder what they're thinking (and saying) right about now.
- The lack of chemistry on tonight's lines was painfully apparent. Communication was poor, passes were missed. A few forwards were genuinely hustling--Tootoo, Halischuk, Smith--but they had no one with whom to connect.
- Speaking of, Craig Smith would really benefit from better teammates. If you had told me before the season that Smith-Geoffrion-Halischuk would be a top-6 line, I would have assumed you were talking about Milwaukee.
- One would expect the Spaling-Smithson-Tootoo line to have better chemistry, at least, especially after last year's playoffs. But the fact that I'm looking at the Smithson line to step up offensively is probably a bigger comment on this team's problems than anything else.
- Despite the crippling 0-5 performance tonight, the power play did look alright at times and does give me a little hope for the season. The first unit--Weber, Suter, Legwand, Wilson, Kostitsyn--is getting a lot of good looks and moving the puck really well. Last year's power play was obsessed with having Weber get low-percentage shots off from the point, with the hope Hornqvist would tip it in. The first unit is making it much harder for opponent's defenses to key on any one player. They've also got Weber sneaking back door a lot, where he was honestly as effective last year as he was from the point.
- That said, the second unit looked terrible. O'Reilly simply couldn't get the puck into the offensive zone. Hornqvist is obviously not 100%.
- Sergei only got credited with one shot, but had two great chances, to my mind, beside his goal. He nearly scored on the second power play, only to be denied by Khabibulin's left pad. And he got another shot off in close with 2:15 left in the second period.
- Linus Omark is a stud. His puck possession game was totally unlike anything any forward on the Preds could sustain tonight.
- My computer broke after the Smyth goal and I missed the rest of the game. But it's probably for the best.
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If the highlights don't work...
it’s probably my fault. I’m trying to figure it out. But I’m not sure why you would want to watch them in the first place.
It’s probably best it isn’t working…….the highlights would be very short in any case.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 1:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Fixed!
Sorry it took so long, just got back from my game. We lost 5-2, but I love, Love, LOVE this new Easton Stealth RS they sent me to review. Loaded with black magic, it is.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of Hockey Gear HQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories.
please give it to the Preds forwards
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Oct 18, 2011 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions
No way Jose
As cool as that stick is, I’m on a horrific goal-less drought.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of Hockey Gear HQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories.
i figured it out
The entire team has decided to follow the Kostitsyn method of offense. Very few shots, but every so often make one of them count.
Keys to the game: GA<GF
They just look listless out there, except the few hustlers and Rinne.
Where’s the speed this team has with this youth? They need to find that and have some hustle, not just mill around.
12 SOG? Really?
This is bad on so many levels, maybe the worst of which is that apparently Trotz has so little confidence in his team that he felt the need to play shell hockey against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Is this a gameplan Trotz is implementing because he has very little faith in his team or does he really think it’s just a good way to try and win hockey games? Either way, it stinks.
No doubt, we have a pop gun offense. But even with that, you do have to at least shoot pucks at the other teams goal. This game was an embarrassment that should be a wake up call to Poile that his off-season “strategy” stunk. Bergfors can’t crack this lineup? How bad must he be?! Hopefully Poile’s hubris will finally receed enough to get himself on the phone with some other GM’s. The sooner the better.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 1:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
When I woke up and reached for my phone to check the score and stats, I saw where Khabibulin only had 11 saves and I thought “Seriously? Only 12 shots on goal?!!?” Just shameful. The thing is, I’m not sure that any single acquisition is going to change things around.
At least there’s a World Series Marathon on. Seeing some of these old guys is easing the pain, but it’s like a band-aid on a broken leg.
It's almost laughable how bad this team is.
What a garbage and shameful performance. 12 SHOTS? IN THREE PERIODS? REALLY? Trotz should fire himself, and take that loser Poile with him.
I admire the guys like Toots, Hally, and Smith that actually bust their ass to go after the puck and at least TRY to win a puck battle. Unfortunately, no amount of hard work is going to magically make one skilled. But their effort is certainly appreciated.
O’reilly is an abortion out there, and his line is getting zero pressure. Blum has regressed, and is actually benefitting from Klein bailing him out, as odd as that sounds.
This young Oilers team pushed this squad around like they were amateurs, and left them looking like the bums that they’re playing like right now.
GOLD OUT is turning into bad juju.
Honestly Smithson said it best, and Dirk didn't include it:
"Just embarrassing. We just got out-worked. It was right from the drop of the puck. If it wasn’t for Peks it could have been 5-1. It seems like I’ve been saying that every time now, but it’s the honest truth, we rely on this guy way too much. We don’t work, we don’t skate, we don’t forecheck, we have a hardworking team that doesn’t work hard and I don’t know, it’s beyond frustrating right now. I’ve never been a part of something like this. It’s gotta change right now, or we’re going to be on the outside looking in – December we’ll be out of this, we have to change it right now."
Right on. You’re going on my next jersey dude.
Leafs fan here...
If it makes you guys feel any better, Cody Franson freaking sucks. Matt Lombardi is the only thing keeping me from wanting Brett Lebda’s buyout back.
As a former Thrasher fan, what strikes me about the Predators is the lack of offensive risk. There’s little desire to push the puck up ice, no attempt to create odd man rushes, few defense passes to up the ice, or any attempt to score really. I don’t think it needs to be taken to the extreme of the Thrashers, but watching spurts of Winnipeg/Pittsburg last night it was night and day style wise. At some point a team needs to create its own luck and scoring chances, something Nashville doesn’t seem too interested in.
I'll just say this now before the Trotz bashing starts
Trotz has always had a defense-first philosophy and that’s how he coaches. You just can’t compare Nashville’s style to the offensive-minded teams that populate the Southeast conference. Different opponents, different requirements. (I say that as a fan of the Lightning, another offense-driven team.) If you watch for the whole season, you’ll see the Preds jump on opportunities that their defense opens up.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I understand the coaching philosophy, but I haven’t seen the team jump on any opportunities as of yet. My sample size isn’t that large and there are injuries as well, but it doesn’t seem to be any effort to create those defensive opportunities. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s not a balance that needs to exist to be successful during the regular and post seasons.
by SilverRubicon on Oct 18, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
So far execution has lagged behind desire somewhat (/sarcasm). Historically, we are pouncers. Like I say, if you watch the whole season, you’ll see it.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
hahaha. Philosophy is one thing but when your teams only break out move is up the boards other teams are gonna trap you to death at your blue line and center ice. Pretty much like any other sport you keep runnig the same play it gets easy to defend. Trotz needs some Bashing hopefully from the Owners.
WE ARE THE ANTI-THRASHERS
good example- our highly touted off to great start rookie got demoted and minutes cut in half for what i would guess was a defensive lapse. i guess our style wins more than the thrashers ( looking at history says so anyway) but your assesment is correct. we play to win 2-1.
by predswilrule on Oct 18, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Bergfors and Smith are going to have lapses, but keeping them off the ice won’t help either. :-( Niclas will always be a streaky player, but I haven’t seen anyone but him willing to shoot the puck in this young season. Can’t score if you don’t shoot.
by SilverRubicon on Oct 18, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t have much time to comment at the moment, but excellent observations in your posts here. A team has to create it’s own offense, not just hope they get the occassional puck to bounce in off someone’s backside and into the net. If you have the puck it takes care of both creating offense and keeping the other team from scoring. Playing rope-a-dope like we are accomplishes neither objective.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 11:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
BTW
while i didnt see all the PP time, what i saw sucked. looked more like what im accustomed too.
I am not one to criticize players
because I played sports and know 90% of the time the person doing the criticizing has no clue what they are talking about. besides, i can barely stand up on skates, much less skate backwards and defend a world class athlete. but can somebody tell me what KK8 was thinking on R Symth’s goal? He must not have had any awareness that he was coming down to support the play? To let him skate in like that on Peks? That play just looked awful to me on the TV
by predsbelonginblue on Oct 18, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions
I agree with you on that goal, but...
…otherwise (oh God this just isn’t right) he has been our second best defenceman through the first five games.
Blum, Hillen, Laakso? Very, very weak.
Somebody mentioned it last night, but has Weber’s contract psychologically affected this squad?
"Our strength is our numbers. We're like a pack of wolves. We're going to come after you." - Barry Trotz
Klein was stuck in a 3-on-2, and he was worried about the guy coming down the middle (who broke off just as the puck crossed the blueline).
The problem on that one looks to be a poorly timed line change – Legwand pulls up and heads off the ice as Smyth blows by him to create the odd-man situation.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of Hockey Gear HQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories.
+1
Agreed. If you watch the replay, you can see Legwand and Kostitsyn leaving the ice as Smyth blasts past them.
Klein could have shifted more towards the middle, but had no idea Smyth was blistering down the other side of the ice…and if he is blistering down the other side of the ice, a forward should be right with him.
We just got outnumbered on the rush after a bad change. Gotta place the blame on the team and not directly on Klein (even though I LOVE to do that) on this go-ahead goal.
I don’t blame SK74 as much there, because he was already behind the play, having finished his check on the Oiler who made the outlet pass just inside the Edmonton blueline. Legwand, however, was right there.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of Hockey Gear HQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories.
Had a dream last night
Preds were down 0-4 in the 3rd vs the Nucks. They Came back and won 5-4 . Then I woke up and was sad again.
Does the fact that we don’t have Peterson anymore have anything to do with how they play? What is the new assistant coach in charge of?
"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles
SORRY JUST SORRY...
It was a terrible game. Our lack of talent really is showing through. Yes we have hustle and pride and all that other BS that I hear from loosing teams, but no talent. We do not have one forward on the ice right now that would be considered 1st line talent for an elite NHL team.
Halischuk hustles but doesnt deserve to be higher than 4th or 3rd line at best. Trotz has had a thing for him since late last year, trying to make him something he is not. McGrattan is a waste of a roster spot.
Smith and Wilson show some glimmers but Legwand cant seem to hit anything but thier feet with a pass.
If this is the talent level we have to live with due to the Weber deal then I say start shopping him, Suter and Pekka now. Because they are going to Bale. Lets take our lumps get a high draft pick and rebuild with some talented forwards. I know its early on but this is real hard to watch.
It's still early
Lots of new faces—they’ve got to work on chemestry, work the kinks out. This team has talent. They will pull it together.
Hey isn't Vancouver 2-2-1 as well?
Dont they have a lot of firepower? I mean we are 5 games in. Is the trend disturbing? Absolutely, but I am not ready to count this team out. 3 of our top players are either out or not 100%. For a team with limited resources, financially and personnel wise, that is a heavy blow. Give them time to fix this. I expect a significantly better effort Thursday night. Trotz usually seems to get his message accross in situations like these.
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
I don’t recall the Canucks taking only 12 SOG in any of their losses. Big difference there.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 12:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I dont think it really matters
In the end you still lost the game. I am as frustrated as anyone with the play of late. There is no forecheck, no urgency, and seemingly no fight. But as I said, we are without several key guys right now. If we come out and play lights out Thursday most people will forget about this until the next loss.
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
You don’t think a good effort is better than a bad one even though the end result may be that same? You can build off a good effort at least, not so much with a 12 SOG stinker like last night.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 6:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You don’t think a good effort is better than a bad one even though the end result may be that same? You can build off a good effort at least, not so much with a 12 SOG stinker like last night.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 6:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh crud, it posted twice. :/
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 6:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I always attempt to take the optimistic view of our team….mainly because we seem to have so many pessimists. But that was bad hockey.
Looking objectively, Trotz hasn’t suddenly forgot how to coach and although Poile takes heat for this summer, he hasn’t suddenly forgot all he knows as a GM. I don’t believe the problem is there.
We are missing Erat, Fisher and Cube, so it does have an effect…… But we lost players last year and it did not affect EFFORT or our EMOTION as a team. This team is showing no EMOTION……..and I lay that on leadership.
I’m not going to point my finger at any one player but maybe all the pre season turmoil is having a negative effect, affecting play. I wouldn’t go there, but this team has always had good effort and emotion. There was no emotion.
Oh no, it’s the good optimist vs. the bad pessimist game………..
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 12:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No, it’s the “hey there’s this one viewpoint out there, how’s about we consider this other viewpoint, too?” game. Note the “TOO” in that sentence. Not instead of but in addition to.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
by CAustin on Oct 18, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s the catagorization of one opinion being bright and cheery and the other being miserable and mean that I protesteth. I happen to be bearish by nature anyway. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 6:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
fair enough. Lord knows I don’t feel bright and cheery about our recent efforts. I do consider myself in the “its actually will get better” camp, though.
And since I’ve had a horrible day today and am feeling extra bitchy right now, I am not going to argue with you about some of your posts today, even though you deserve it. ;-)
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
You need to do something about your Bolts current problems before you start sparring with bears. ;p
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 6:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That’s a whole other sea of crap I refuse to wade into tonight. Blech!
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Hurricanes are playing well of late though (I know that will cheer you up)! :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 19, 2011 1:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Only b/c I have Cam Ward on my fantasy team.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
wanna trade him to me?
I have like 27 starting centers. Damn autodraft.
by djzielin on Oct 19, 2011 7:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Whoo-hoo! Face-off wins!
And didn’t you get Quick from that guy who got all goalies in his autodraft?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
i like two goalies
Don’t ask why
by djzielin on Oct 19, 2011 9:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well I do too, in general, but you have to choose from what people are willing to give. I’ve only got Ward and 2 backups right now because no one will give me Kari Lehtonen.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Better just to ignore grizzled…..everyone knows no other opinion matters…LOL
What was I thinking? LOL
Yes, ignore those evil pessimists…….they’ll just ruin your day with their reality checks!
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 18, 2011 7:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
and after the sixth game...
Poile said let them hate. And it was good.
So six games.
by djzielin on Oct 19, 2011 9:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’ve been pressing the panic button since the middle of July when it was apparent we weren’t going to bring in any scoring talent to the roster!
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 19, 2011 11:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes, and the alarm is giving me a headache! :)
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
If you don’t heed the alarm and run (to get some offensive talent) and instead stay put, that loud bell will make your head hurt. :p
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 19, 2011 7:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t think any NHL-caliber offensive talent would agree to play for what I would be able to pay them. Unless they like brownies. I make some pretty good brownies.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I’l play for brownies! :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 19, 2011 8:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, let’s evaluate this properly. What’s your goal-to-brownie ratio?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
If it’s a quality brownie (preferably with walnuts), I’ll pitch a shutout! :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 19, 2011 11:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh, it’s a quality brownie, but usually without nuts b/c I don’t keep them on hand. But is a 1.000 SV% really sustainable over a season? I’m starting to think my brownies may be over paying here.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
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