Predators 5, Lightning 3: Finally, Frosties
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 27, 2011 11:25 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Game Recaps
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Tonight was one of those nights that can help boost a team's confidence, as nine Nashville Predators made the score sheet, three Preds scored their first goal of the season, and the team blew open the game during the second period. Pekka Rinne made 29 saves for the win, many of the absolutely sensational variety, and the Nashville fans knew they'd get a free Frosty before the game was even halfway over.
Follow after the jump for the scoop!
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First up, the video highlights:
Post-game quotes are available from (click each name for the MP3): Mike Fisher, Pekka Rinne, Nick Spaling, and Barry Trotz.
Scattered thoughts on tonight's game:
- The Kostitsyn-Fisher-Smith line sure looks like a keeper, eh? Of course, I had to write that before SK74 left the game with a leg injury. Ugh! If you missed what happened, check here. It sounds like he isn't expected to miss any game time, but stay tuned.
- I really didn't like the way Matt Halischuk coughed up the puck for the first Tampa goal, he had time with the puck along the boards to move it along, and Ryan Malone just came in and took it from him to set up the play.
- One nice consequence of Francis Bouillon's return is that it allows Barry Trotz the option of dropping Jonathon Blum down to the 3rd pair as he did tonight. Blum still has some time before he becomes a rock-solid Top 4 kind of guy, and while The Cube's not fit for that duty long-term either, at least now Trotz has a choice.
- It was like a breath of fresh air seeing Patric Hornqvist get on the board, eh? He's been hobbled in the early going, and anything to get him rolling is a huge help.
- The same goes for Mike Fisher, who certainly hasn't wasted any time stepping into a major role. Dare I mention at the same time that David Legwand is now pointless in five straight games?
- It's like Seth said after that Hornqvist goal, Mathieu Garon was frustrated after a bounce off the ref led to that Hornqvist goal, and sure enough, the Preds chased him from the game just a few minutes later after pushing their lead to 5-2.
- Tampa is a team that always has you worried, however, and give full marks to the Preds for bottling them up in the 3rd, only yielding 6 shots while trying to close out the win. Typically, teams with a lead like that ease off the gas pedal and risk letting their opponent back in the game. The final shot total was 32-27 in favor of Tampa, but at least that's a lot closer than those figures have been so far this season.
As regards the advanced even-strength stats? A rough night for that fourth line, while the Spaling-Smithson-Tootoo trio really locked down on the shots against...
| Even Strength | Individual Totals | Team Totals While Player Is On Ice | ||||||||||
| Player | Pos | EV TOI | Shots | Shts Blkd | Missed Shts | Blocks | SOG For | SOG Ag | SOG +/- | Tot SF | Tot SA | Corsi |
| Mike Fisher | C | 16:04 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 20 | -8 |
| Colin Wilson | C | 15:57 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| David Legwand | C | 15:55 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 16 | 14 | 2 |
| Nick Spaling | C | 14:59 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 13 | -2 |
| Jerred Smithson | R | 14:59 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Jordin Tootoo | R | 14:45 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| Craig Smith | C | 13:53 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 19 | -8 |
| Matt Halischuk | R | 12:10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 7 | 12 | -5 |
| Patric Hornqvist | R | 11:08 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 12 | 14 | -2 |
| Sergei Kostitsyn | L | 8:11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Blake Geoffrion | C | 6:59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 | 14 | -11 |
| Niclas Bergfors | R | 5:27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 | 11 | -10 |
| Francis Bouillon | D | 19:19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 15 | -3 |
| Kevin Klein | D | 19:12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 17 | -3 |
| Shea Weber | D | 19:11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 15 | 22 | -7 |
| Ryan Suter | D | 19:09 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 15 | 23 | -8 |
| Jonathon Blum | D | 13:09 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 12 | 16 | -4 |
| Jack Hillen | D | 12:03 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 15 | -5 |
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Sorry I missed it while at the game.
If epic ever applied to anything done here, that was it. I can just hear the tales this image could tell, a la the Silmarillion…
Go buy yourself one tonight.
You’ve earned it!
by musamonster on Oct 28, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Stellar game
Fitting of a lead-up to the end of this World Series.
Proud owner of a fantasy hockey team named "Lonely Wristshots."
by TerryCrispisms on Oct 28, 2011 12:04 AM EDT reply actions
Anybody know what time the replay is on ? I was at the game but didn’t tape it, and there is a lot of things I would like to take another look at.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
But, noooooo. Blasted non-tv games.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
I can describe for you in vivid detail everything that happened in the game
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Oct 28, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Clif-notes version
everybody standing O for puck drop, sit, stand yelling, its all your fault, repeat last 3 5 more times, boo refs for making bad call, then boo them for missing obvious calls, face palm 3 times, bow to Pekka 5 times, Hands go up…..and they stay there
Frosties? But I need tacos!
I need them or I will explode! That happens to me sometimes…
We looked much better tonight. Getting Fisher back has been a huge boost, and Bouillon hasn’t hurt. Now, if we can keep this form, SK can get back in time for Saturday and we can get Erat back, we could be in pretty good shape.
by worstfaceoffmanever on Oct 28, 2011 12:38 AM EDT reply actions
I am glad we no longer get the tacos. Those things sucked. If we did still have them, I am sure, some fresh, driven young reporter, whose aggressive pursuit of information on the local hockey team was generally well-received, would one day have reported that the crowd was yelling “We want Stam-kos”.
Which is strange, because we DO want Stamkos.
…
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Stamkos would be great. Scoring, anyone?! (Although we did that pretty effectively tonight!)
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
No more Stamkos rumors. We just got that settled. Then we had to deal with the world’s dumbest trade proposal not presented by some dude living in his mom’s basement (Luongo for Lecavalier). Enough already. NO MORE STAMKOS TRADE RUMORS!!!
Now, there are a couple of other forwards that might be available—Pyatt for Klein? Anyone? Anyone? Going once…going twice….oh well.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Go away CAustin.
You don’t belong here on this day.
Hope that a$$ whoopin’ last night hurt……a lot.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 28, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
You are so mean to me. I hope someone shakes up your soda while you’re not looking.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
It’s even funnier to shake someone’s soda over there head while it’s open. Great prank.
by RemoWilliams84 on Oct 28, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
:)
I’m just flirting with you…LOL!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 28, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
careful, don’t want to make your hand jealous
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Oct 28, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
LMAO!
Don’t make fun of Rosey!!!!!!!!!!!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 28, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
It is not a trade rumor.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
It is a joke.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
You know, boucher kind of means to choke…
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Listening to Trotz's post-game press conference
He said “weather the storm” like 14 times. I find this amusing.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
GREAT GAME
So I have to somehow get my dad to go to more games because he is 2-0 this year (including the preseason game against the Jets) but he wants to have more room between the arm rests and will only sit lower lever so he dosnt have to worry about stairs….
In short I need to hit that powerball for 207 mill!
Link
I should read all the choices before i pick one… I would have gone with that one from you. But great job none the less on it.
Legwand now pointless in five straight games???
That’s easy….now that Fish is back, Legwand can resume his “normal” role as over-payed “F”-up.
by turd-ferguson on Oct 28, 2011 1:16 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
At the risk of reigniting that debate...
I thought Leggy looked pretty good last night. It seemed last season like we either had Leggy producing or Fisher producing but not at the same time. It seemed to coincide with whoever was getting the tougher line matchups not scoring because they focused on the defensive side, but that freed up the other line. Then again, there was also the issue of Fisher playing through a bum shoulder.
To be honest Fisher can be streaky too like Leggy though I think Fisher’s got a higher offensive upside. I thought Leggy was involved with a couple real good chances in the 3rd and he was strong on the faceoff dot and defensively. Fisher’s benefiting from instant chemistry with Honey Badger who, let’s face it, is off to a great start and has been our best forward. I also think Fisher coming in late meant he wasn’t mired in that lack of confidence that the rest of the team was. So he’s been productive these 1st 2 games and hopefully that confidence will carry over to the other lines. It sure seemed like it did in the 2nd and 3rd periods last night.
Something "Fishy" was going on in the world of sports tonight.
See what I did there? (Okay, stop booing already). I can’t believe what I just witnessed in the World Series game. Really Texas, you can’t hold two 2 run leads to win the Series? Words fail me (except for the unprintable words uttered during the game).
As for the Preds game, does anyone really want to still argue that one player doesn’t make that big of a difference to a teams lineup? Granted, the Bolts are hideous defensively and in goal, but having Fisher back makes a big difference for us (as, I might add, would bringing in another good forward to our lineup). We needed a game like this to hopefully get some confidence going.
And what the heck happened in that Flyers/Jets game?!!! 9-8? Looks like Bryzgalov isn’t playing as big as his contract. Fun watching the highlights though.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 1:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah, the Flyers/Jets game was NUTS!! I can’t believe they scored that many goals, collectively! That’s gotta be some kind of record.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Nope. The Canadiens and Toronto St. Patrick’s combined for 21 goals on January 10, 1920, with Montreal winning 14-7. The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks tied the record on December 11, 1985. The Oilers won 12-9.
I read it on the innernets.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Yes, Fish does improve the team. Thank you for noticing. But the big question about bringing in another guy would have to be what would we give up and what would we get back and does that trade net us 30 goals.
If you can catch the video of Bryzgaloz’s press conference, watch it. It’s fascinating. Like a train wreck.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
If we try and subtilize every trade proposal like that, we would never have made the deal to get Fisher. We have the expendable assets to make a trade for that level of player again, it’s a matter of whether DP wants to persue it or not.
I do find interesting that some who always point out that “when (insert name) comes back to the lineup, we’ll be fine” are often the same who poo poo the thought that adding someone from outside of the organization will help much. I’ll catagorize that under non-linear thinking.
Holmgren must be thinking in Philly “what have I done”! :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 11:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Do what to trade proposals?
I’m okay with another Fisher-type. I like that kind of play. I guess I thought you weren’t okay with that. Over the summer there was a lot of talk about needing to increase our offensive production by 30 goals or so, and thus the whole “20 goals is not going to be enough what did we sign Bergfors for?” discussion. And—serious question—who would you bring in and what would you be willing to give up for it? B/c my biggest objection to the whole thing was the idea that giving up Rinne for a 30-goal player was worth it.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Subtilize: defining something very accutely or narrowly (source: Grizzledbear’s dictionary). ;)
Always keep in mind that when I’m talking about a 30 goal type guy, I’m usually talking about Parise. So yes, I would trade Rinne for him. 20 goal scorer types are most likely the one’s who could be made available in a trade, so you do what you can.
As to who or what I would give up, it all depends on who’s coming back the other way. But as I’ve said previously, Ellis would be my #1 object to get things started.
As for Bergfors, he stinks, so that’s why signing him was a waste of time. Not bad for the money we’re paying him, but likely headed for the waiver wire before not to long.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 1:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wait a minute, what happened to “we’re nothing without Rinne”? Because that’s true.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Welcome aboard the Lightning GoalieCoaster. Keep your hands inside the car at all times.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
We are nothing without Rinne with the way the team is currently constructed. Adding an elite level player up front would change the dynamic of the team and, at least in theory, not require our goalie to save our bacon every game. I’d rather have both, of course, but Rinne for Parise would be a trade off I would make. (Disclaimer: I do not in any way think this purposed deal would ever take place, so this is strictly theoretical).
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 5:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m not 100% convinced that Parise would be enough to make up for the increase in GA in moving from Rinne to Lindback. Maybe 80% convinced. But if Smith can keep making good stuff possible, I could be convinced. (My own disclaimer: I wouldn’t give up Rinne for anyone with any less potential than Parise and I don’t think it will ever happen, either.)
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Welcome aboard the Lightning GoalieCoaster. Keep your hands inside the car at all times.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Disclaimer:
Rinne is the best player in the NHL and I wouldn’t even trade him for a date with CAustin.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 28, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Those are the words every girl is dying to hear. :P
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Welcome aboard the Lightning GoalieCoaster. Keep your hands inside the car at all times.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
LOL!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 29, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
At least you’re leaving room for thought here (I’m making progress with CA). :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 7:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Did you dance a jig at the idea?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Welcome aboard the Lightning GoalieCoaster. Keep your hands inside the car at all times.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Did a little snoppy dance. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 8:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Make that snoopy………watching baseball and typing a risky task for a bear. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Oct 28, 2011 8:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I thought you all should know...
I’m going to the Preds @ Bruins game in February, and tonight I officially decided that I am going to print out a big picture of “Predobear Rides Honey Badger” and bring it with me to the game. I sport it proudly. Look for me.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
baring some (insert worse case thing here) they I really dont see that happening. He sure seems to be tearing up the opposing D guys
DIdn't Trotz say he was the best forward on the team?
He is getting scratched. LOL
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
It costs quite a bit, but we once printed out a really big sign, by emailing it to Kinko’s (posted-sized). Got quite a reaction, though; Hasek cracked out about it, and pointed it out to Chelios, who skated right over to the glass for a closer look (and to give my daugther thumbs-up).
I can actually print out posters at the awesome resource center here at Tufts for pretty cheap (much less than Kinko’s, at least)! I just have to be wiling (and ready) to explain the extremely bizarre image that’s coming out of the printer…
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
there needs to be photographs of that
Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.
Follow me on twitter:@3DLink
I’m hoping that they’ll put me on the TV broadcast when the Preds score, cause I doubt there will be many other Preds fans there, and they always seek out a few opposing fans to show on TV after goals. If not, I’ll take my own pictures and share them with everyone on here.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
I never thought I'd fall in love with a member of the weasel family
But the HoneyBadger is not only very impressive so far as a player, but he’s a little cutie-patootie, too.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.
It's a member of the weasel family?!
Huh. I think I just gained some more respect weasels. (Whodathunkit?)
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Congrats to the Nashigan Predarines
Picked a poor game to miss, sure sounded good on the radio call! Hopefully, the mojo is finding its way back
by predsbelonginblue on Oct 28, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions
Fan Fare Hat Trick
If they keep up last night’s momentum, we may eventually see a fan fare hat trick – frosty, goo goo cluster, and xyience energy drink!
Hockey Fights Cancer and so do I
Join me at
www.stbaldricks.org/participants/ceh
Great game!!!
Great to see the preds play so good, hopefully they can keep it up!!! Definitely should have went to last nights game instead of tuesday
by Preds&niners on Oct 28, 2011 11:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Random observations
Jack Hillen was good last night. Very good. Where’s that been. Maybe as simple as moving him over to his natural side. A little nasty in his game last night. Liked it.
Mike Fisher makes a big difference. And not just last night. The clunker on Tuesday, too. Love love love that line with Smith and SK74, by the way.
Smith can beat people one-on-one. That’s nice.
Tootoo is developing into the kind of player we need desperately. An irritant. The points aren’t there yet, but I love how he’s keeping the gloves on and drawing penalties. (Though I admit, I wanted to see him go with Downie, just to see what that looked like. Hate that guy.)
Feel better about all things Predators after last night, but we’re not there yet. It felt like we turned some sort of corner last night. Outshot, yes, but much more competitive. Winning a few 50-50 battles, too. That’s nice.
shots
They had a few more, but nothing to worry over. As the year started, we were so bad in the faceoff circle I thought teams were throwing it on net to get the faceoff in our zone and going from there. As we do better on faceoffs, some of the shots against will decrease.
Hillen looked better. Blum needs to live in the weightroom.
That was the Preds that I love
Bouillon and Klein pairing is by far the biggest improvement of the night. I really hope Trotz keeps that pairing the same.
Fisher is going to score a lot of goals if he keeps going to the corner of the net. SK and Badger will hook him up all night.
Gotta love that Sk and Badger combined for another goal similar to the Calgary “shot out of a cannon” goal. I wanna get used to that.
I loved Horny’s game tonight. He looked like a man possessed rather than a man suppressed.
Bergfors played defense! Bergfors played defense! He was a back checking machine, albeit not that great at it yet. I like the effort and suspect he is starting to see the light. Give him some time and I bet he starts lifting sticks and sending pucks the right way.
What a terrible penalty call on Tootoo. How was that a charge? That was a check on a guy who had the puck. Tootoo has become a penalty drawing master. Zen level.
Halischuk, what the F***? That was a terrible decision. He had Klein behind him to make the safe play and I don’t know what he did, but two passes later and Stamkos blew our minds.
Was it me or did Spaling look really good with Badger and the Fish? Spaling has some offensive upside, but he seems happy to grind most of the time.
I will say that Badger had a good game, but man he had some errant passes to the middle of the ice that no doubt got him in a little trouble.
Blum Blum Blum Blum Blum scares me a little when he is out there. Kinda weak, kinda gets lost.
Leggy taketh away. That’s how he rolls, no alarm no surprises.
Pekka is in everyone’s head. He is omnipresent. A soothsayer, if you will.
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