Blackhawks 5, Predators 4: Gritty effort earns partial credit
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 31, 2011 11:43 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Game Recaps
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Tonight was one of those games which almost makes you feel good about the abomination which is the NHL's OT loser point, because the Nashville Predators put forth a determined effort in the face of some tough odds, and went toe-to-toe with the Chicago Blackhawks. Three times they took the lead, and three times the Hawks answered back. Chicago took a lead in the 3rd period, but David Legwand tied it up just moments later, at least forcing the game to overtime and allowing the Preds to earn a much-needed point in the standings.
Ultimately, Viktor Stalberg won it for the Blackhawks in overtime, but there was much to be encouraged about in this one, so follow after the jump....
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First up, the video highlights:
Rambling thoughts from tonight's game:
- A hearty thank-you to Corey Crawford for the turnover which led to the early goal by Patric Hornqvist, which helped the Preds weather an early storm brought about by consecutive penalties by Craig Smith and Blake Geoffrion.
- You have to love the way Craig Smith buried the feed from Martin Erat to put the Preds up 2-1 early in the 2nd. He wasted no time at all firing a strong wrist on goal.
- It was funny watching Patrick Kane get a couple odd-man rushes, he seemed almost overly casual on some of them, like he's so used to getting a few each game that it was no big deal.
- The scary thing was just watching the Blackhawks wheel and create scoring chances off the most minor of turnovers at times. Pekka Rinne was outstanding to shut so many of them down.
- While they did an incredible job killing seven Chicago power plays (including 1:53 of 5-on-3 play), working that much time shorthanded really hamstrung the Preds, especially in the 3rd period with key figures like Erat, Smithson & Suter heading to the box.
- I almost threw my remote at the TV when Halischuk threw that pass while on a shorthanded rush in the final minutes of the 3rd. Those things get turned into odd-man rushes against all the time.
- The final rush in OT was like watching a crash in slow-motion, Hillen was backpedaling so desperately that he was due to over-commit at some point.
- No table of advanced stats tonight, although you can get tonight's Corsi numbers at Time On Ice. The Erat-Smith-Halischuk line got murdered at even strength.
All in all, a tough loss tonight, but considering the way the team came into the game, without Mike Fisher, Sergei Kostitsyn, or Nick Spaling, you have to chalk this up as a bit of gravy.
NHL Boxscore - Game Summary - Event Summary
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Can we just change the polls to “Who was the second best Predator of the game” and give someone other than Peks a chance to be recognized?
Proud owner of a fantasy hockey team named "Lonely Wristshots."
by TerryCrispisms on Oct 31, 2011 11:51 PM EDT reply actions
Officiating was confusing at best
And what did Halischuk say that was worth a 10 min. timeout?
I think Halischuk made the right decision to attempt the pass on the late odd man rush
He was coming up the side and had no angle on the shot. It would have been eaten up by Crawford guaranteed. Erat was coming hard down the middle all alone and had the pass connected he would have had a great chance to bury it and potentially ice the game. The defender barely got a piece of it.
I have no problem with a grinder passing on a no angle shot when the best shooter on the team is all alone coming behind the play. I was upset when Crispy got onto Halischuk for not passing. A closer look at the play shows it was the right decision, just unfortunate.
He was coming up the side and had no angle on the shot. It would have been eaten up by Crawford guaranteed.
When you’re killing a penalty, forcing the goalie to make a save (which would most likely lead to an offensive zone faceoff and the chance to put out fresh penalty killers) is the smart move.
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.
Really have to disagree here.
I understand what you’re saying about maybe getting an offensive zone faceoff. But the point here is to win the game. When you’re best shooter has a chance to win it you go for it. Playing for offensive zone faceoffs doesn’t get it done against a team as talented as the Hawks. They are going to put goals on the board and the Preds had to take every chance to get a cushion. Also you have a world class goaltender in net and sometimes you take a chance and hope he can come up big.
by Russell Freda on Nov 1, 2011 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Crawford was coughing up rebounds all night. Should have put the puck low on his pads and hope a driving Erat cleans up the garbage.
I guess I prefer the attitude of going for the win instead of playing it safe especially when at the time we were being totally outclassed as far as time of possession and game flow. They had double or triple the scoring chances we were getting at that time and I think Erat would have buried it. Oh well glad we got the point.
by Russell Freda on Nov 1, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the biggest problem
is what happens if the pass doesn’t connect (as so often is true with our Predators) and the other team gets possession with our forwards trapped in the Chicago end. That’s what was poor decision making on this play.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Nov 1, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m of the opinion that he should have shot in hopes of getting a rebound Marty’s way. If I remember correctly, Crawford was far enough out that he wouldn’t have had much of a chance on a rebound shot. I also won’t sit here and say I would make the right decision if I were playing. I hate backseat drivers, armchair quarterbacks and whatever the hockey equivalent would be haha.
Personally I would have liked to see him going around the net and have either a wrap around chance or a centering pass to Erat as he is going around the net.
at least take it back behind the net and kill time
just no behind the net passes to no one while on the power play!
My hat is off.
Chicago fans at United Center were for the most part very classy and nice. Other then a few “sit downs” and the boos when we went out to indulge in our bad habit, couldn’t be nicer. In the third period we were being told they would love to have Peks if we don’t resign him.
Hillen played admirably but did get beat like a rented mule in OT.
It makes a difference when they win.
We had trash thrown at us last year after the Predators won in Chicago and were told some very unsavory things. Until the goal with less than a minute remaining, they were pretty friendly though.
by Brady Purnell on Nov 1, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
They can't have him!
Just the thought of Pekka not being resigned to the Preds makes my heart sink. Seriously, the Preds can’t afford to lose Peks.
Exciting hockey, even if it was an OTL.
I’d rather go down swinging like this than doing the rope-a-dope thing. Granted, if nor for Rinne this could have been a blow out, but that’s often the case when we play passively as well. Just glad to get some offense clicking (with an assist to Crawford on the 1st goal).
Bouillion and Klein both minus 3 for the game. Might wanna change up that pairing.
As soon as Stalberg got the puck I had that feeling you get when you know a goal is going to be scored. And in it went. Still, considering the players out of the lineup tonight, a point on the road is a good thing.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 12:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Dear GB,
I’ve heard, somewhere, not sure where, that if you give up a lot of goals, then scoring a lot of goals isn’t going to get you the win. Is this true?
Signed,
Goalie Girl in Tennessee
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Dear CA,
I’ve heard somewhere that if you play passively and hope you get a few lucky bounces that go in the net that you usually get outscored anyway. Is not this true?
Signed,
Bear who actually is a goalie. ;)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 1:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dear BWAIAG,
Yes, passivity can be a great problem for a team. As a Bear, your best option is to sit your team down and speak to them about being passive. Emphasize that passivity is a trap that both defenders and forwards fall into. No one is a bad person because they drop their coverage or turn the puck over every once in a while, but at the same time, you should let your team know that in your household passive play is unacceptable whatever end of the ice it happens in. Be firm on this. It takes both an aggressive defense and a creative offense to win. Goals against are just as dangerous as goals for are necessary.
And by the way, I’m afraid you are going to find that your Player Card is not accepted at this establishment. It’s probably best to stop playing it.
Sincerely,
The Advice Lady
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
by CAustin on Nov 1, 2011 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dear CA
How come teams lose when they get outscored in all sports except the NHL where they would receive partial credit for attempting an overtime?
Dear DJ,
The NHL cares so much about its players that they want to recognize the hard work that goes into losing in overtime. Hockey players have very fragile self-esteem, so, like any good parent, the league gives everyone a kiss at the end of the game, just to remind them how much they are loved, whether they win or lose. And then, the league buys them a lemonade.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
by CAustin on Nov 1, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Dear Advice Lady,
Goals are good, embrace them as you would a neutral zone trap or left wing lock.
Sorry to say, but my player card is in fact a trump card……learn to embrace it as well. :)
Sincerely,
A Bear Who Cares
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 11:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dear Advice Lady,
Why is it called a crease when it has never been folded?
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
There’s a bear named Eric in Nashville?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
While GB is a totally plausible name I am starting to wonder if maybe it’s just an alias…
by Marcus Newman on Nov 1, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m neither of those two people, but I keep my real persona tightly under wraps……..to avoid the paparazzi, of course. :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 11:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Another nebulous conversation between CA and Grizzly.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Notice that she instigated it (again). :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
rec’d
Proud owner of a fantasy hockey team named "Lonely Wristshots."
by TerryCrispisms on Nov 1, 2011 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I think we're getting a little carried away with our Rinne love...
Sure, he made some really nice saves tonight (he is an NHL goalie after all), but he gave up 5 goals with an .857 SV%. I don’t see how you can spin that in a good way. Just because he is one of the best in the league doesn’t mean that he’s the first star every night.
"The Final Countdown" is now playing in your head. You're welcome.
He gave up a couple soft goals tonight.
Spectacular saves don’t cancel out bad goals. As a starting goalie in the NHL, you should be expected to make some unbelievable saves.
Again, Rinne is one of the best, but not tonight.
"The Final Countdown" is now playing in your head. You're welcome.
by Michaeltastic on Nov 1, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
You also shouldn’t be asked to steal wins damn near every game you play. Or play 3-5 against a deep team like that twice in one evening. It’s like having an all world pitcher who gets no run support or playing in Colorado.
No, and that's what makes Rinne great.
But he wasn’t tonight. He got “run support” tonight. 4 goals should be a win in the NHL.
"The Final Countdown" is now playing in your head. You're welcome.
by Michaeltastic on Nov 1, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
The problem was that he was being asked to cover for errors that others made. He didn’t get the defensive support he needed. We didn’t box them out, we allowed guys to sneak around to catch back door passes, we got beat on the rush. He was cheating because the defense kept dropping coverage. So, yeah, he got beat. He was still one of the best players on the ice and he was certainly one of the top 3 Preds players on the ice.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Even if he wasn’t great, and some including myself would argue that. His play did nothing to undermine our chances this evening. I would daresay the Blackhawks tripled us in quality scoring chances. They outplayed us most of the game, handily.
He’s almost always great. Around here, it’s easy to fall into the “isn’t that what goalies are supposed to be like?” trap. It’s easy to forget that most goalies, even at the NHL level, don’t perform as well as he does all that often, and very few do it night after night..
He has had some off games, or off periods in some games, but last night the only thing I saw that was worrisome was the cheating by not sealing the posts. For a guy who is as good at that as Pekka is, that’s a real big sign that he’s seeing something he’s not comfortable with.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
If you make a “tight seal” with your body against the goalpost (typically done when the play is boxed in tight around one side but still behind the net) it makes it harder to get across to the other side of the net or quickly move into a low stance. Cheating would be playing without leaning into that post too hard,enabling you to transition faster.
If Pekka is cheating it’s probably because the play isn’t contained on the backside…
Mostly, CAustin has a borderline inappropriate affinity for goalies and watches and appreciates things that no one else probably bothers to notice. ( I mean that in the nicest way possible, CA)
by Marcus Newman on Nov 1, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey if you think he was weak last night
we would be happy to take him off your hands. He outplayed Crawfish – who really wasn’t very good except for breakaways – and made a number of shots that left me ready to destroy my set. Maybe Kaner’s second goal was soft – it looked like something happened to the puck to throw him off.
As to cheating off the near post, since the Hawks are a big far post team, you always have to be ready to move and he did many times, and he knew he was going to have to because your D wasn’t there on those plays. I figure he stole a point for you guys last night, and so in a way we lost one. The only reason that game went OT was because of him. My hat’s off to him.
I'm Lloyd Pettit's love child!
first of all, HANDS OFF, he's mine
As for the rest? Yep.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
More than one of those goals came off of errors by our defense. And you have to give the man his due. He stopped a lot of shots by some very skilled players that our defense couldn’t stop. Goalie stats are very much imperfect measures of a night’s performance.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I refuse to answer on the grounds that I believe that Luongo is actually an elite goaltender.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
That’s one of his problems. The other is his inability to trust either his defense or his instincts.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
He would be an elite goaltender, if he weren’t such a headcase.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 1, 2011 12:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Mmmm…yes and no.
He’s a drama queen, which annoys me to no end, and he doesn’t shut the **** up when he should, but he’s mostly rather good at staying focused during games. The problem is that he tries to do everything and do it perfectly. and it’s like he has an off-switch that the other top goalies don’t have. Then, when he makes a mistake, sometimes it triggers the off-switch, and the entire world hears about it ad nauseum.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Don't you curse at me in French!
i’ll give you a few ad naseums!
Jeez, you let a guy beat you one week in fantasy hockey and all of a sudden he gets all sassy and uppity on you. :P
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I was sassy and uppity before that...
…. just never directly at you! :P
Actually...
I’d say that he played exactly like Luongo tonight. Made some incredible saves but didn’t stop the ones that he should have.
"The Final Countdown" is now playing in your head. You're welcome.
by Michaeltastic on Nov 1, 2011 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree and disagree
We’re not getting carried away with the Rinne love. He’s the best goalie in the NHL.
But he gave up some soft goals last night too.
He gets a mulligan from me though.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Soft goals
One of the goals Thought to be soft was deflected slightly by our d man and got under rinnes right arm. He eats it up if not tipped.
When Hillen, Blum and geoffrieon(sp) are on the ice together in the defensive zone it normally is trouble. All of em need to add some muscle.
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
Interesting...
Hornqvist’s first goal was also a record-setter. Scored just 26 seconds into the game, the goal gave Nashville back-to-back games with markers scored in less than 30 seconds of the first period – which is the first time that’s happened in the franchise’s history.
Hornqvist also scored just 16 seconds into Nashville’s previous game this past weekend. The last team to pull off the fast feat was the Philadelphia Flyers in 2002 and the last single player to score both of the goals in back-to-back games was former Vancouver Canucks star Pavel Bure, who did it in 1998.
Kinda directed at Grizzly...
But still, I think I remember mentioning trying to pick up Jagr. He’s got 5G, 11 points now. I wonder if we even tried to get him.
I am sure Jaromir Jagr
Only Had a few teams he was going to sign with. I don’t think we were on the short list.
Not that I think Poile ever contacted him, but Jagr wasn’t coming here anyway.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 5:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Health
Can we get Fisher & Sergei back please? Thanks.
Check out this morning's Pizzo's Points
It leads off talking about Pekka possibly playing 70+ games. And apparently, Lindy likes to read as well as to do arts and crafts.
Kind of makes you feel bad for back-up goalie Anders Lindback, the guy could have read all the Harry Potter books by now.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
He should take the Marty Turco approach to backing up a workhorse in goal.
Entertain himself and the rest of us by mocking Mcguire or pranking the other team in his spare time.
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." ~gmh
by Steeg of their own on Nov 1, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Lindy’s pranks would probably somehow involve candy. Or puppies.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Lindy has a great view of the games, he gets paid to practice and be ready to play at an injury’s notice. Seems like he has a good life to me!
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Just a Thang
For limited ice time I thought Thang played well. At least he seems to have a good hockey sense about him. Most of his passes looked crisp and on the mark. I Think he could turn into a solid 3rd liner, maybe he could be Trotz’s new man crush, but we will have to see.
IMO splitting up the Blum / Klien, Hillen / Lasko pairs really showed that Klien and Hillen are the weakest links. When can we expect to see Ellis, I think pairing him with Blum would creat a good #2 pair.
Even if he found an acorn, i see David Legwand looking lost, swiping at pucks, standing around after a puck sjumps his stick. Does he have any value on the open market? He great if the nets empty but after that …?
Where Leggy looked completely focused and dominating was the PK of the 5 on 3 in the 3rd period. I didn’t think he was so defensively competent, but he, Weber, and Klein really made that one incredible.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Nov 1, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
And also the smallest pair, if those guys have to stop to get a handle on the puck...
Lord help them.
Ryan Ellis has looked ok so far, but far from a world beater.
After being 3-3 on the powerplay the first game, the Admirals have come way down to earth just scoring one more goal and just under 15 pct on the season.
Ryan Ellis gets a TON of time on the PP.
What happens on the ice...stays on the ice...
I felt pretty good about the game last night
…except for all the penalties. I don’t like to use penalties as an excuse but its hard not to think that the officiating steamrolled us to some degree, especially in the third. The Suter slash and the goalie interference on Sharp were both really weak calls but the Legwand trip and roughing on Smitty were absolutely horrible.
I'll go further and say...
The fourth goal by Chicago shouldn’t have counted. A Blackhawk skated by Klein and tripped him, puck not near him, then as Klein is scrambling to get up, Bickell scores..we should have had a PP there, and the Hawks instead get the go ahead goal…that frustrated the hell out of me last night….also the Hawk who boarded Tootoo without a call…refs were mediocre at best.
by HardCorePredFan316 on Nov 1, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I think mediocre is cutting them some slack. ;)
You are right on the money in my mind though. That one was a tough pill to swallow.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 1, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Did anyone notice..
The advertising on the glass (not the boards) at the UC last night? Geez, I hope Nashville does not do that at our rink. Has to be very frustrating (I would think) for the people sitting in that line of sight to the ice?? Curious to know if you can actually “see thru” the wording, or have to just look around it peripherally? The quest for $ has no boundaries (it seems). Are we are inching closer to the European game where we have advertisements on the uniforms? If so and the Preds have their way, thinking the new unis will have a Gold Bond Medicated Powder logo on it somewhere. Love watching the retro games on NHL Network where the boards are white!
by predsbelonginblue on Nov 1, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions
I didn’t see it last night, but I know Washington does a digital ad on the glass for the TV market. That to me is pretty cool. I assume it is similar to the green screen used at baseball games for TV broadcasts.
That would make a whole lot more sense (to me). TV only. I don’t see how you could charge the same price for those seats if it were anything but. Did not think of that, tx
by predsbelonginblue on Nov 1, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m pretty sure the ads on the glass are added in by the television crew. At least that’s what it always looks like to me.
They are TV Digital only
No actual adds are on the glass and are prohibited by the NHL
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Nov 1, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I know I am a Klein basher but 2 of the goals were his fault (both were Kane goals I believe). Kane’s 1st in the slot, he stood around and watched instead of picking up Kane. The 2nd goal on the 3 on 2. Horny is chasing down the play and the only player that he could have realistically caught was Sharp in the middle, but Klein tries to split the difference between Kane and Sharp and Peks can’t get all the way over to stop Kane’s shot. Why didn’t Klein take Kane out of the equation and hope that Horny/Peks can stop Sharp when the pass went to him.
I have said this before but I am going to say it again. The game goes to OT, we got 1 point. If it goes to the shootout we have no chance against the offensive weapons of the Hawks, AND HORNY (BESIDES SMITH OUR ONE GUY THAT CONSTANTLY SHOOTS THE PUCK) DOES NOT SEE THE ICE IN OT. It is stupid. Yeah Horny isn’t a puck handler. Who cares? The only way you are winning a game against the Hawks, Caps, Canucks in OT is if you score a goal in the extra 5. Put the shooters on the ice in OT. If I every see Trotz in public that is going to be the question I ask him (respectfully of course) but it just blows my mind how you don’t go for it in OT against teams that you have less skill players than.
Someone please explain to me why Smithson came out in OT. I am sure one answer will be because he is a center. Well my problem with that is there was not a faceoff when he came out. He came during a on the fly change. That was the prime time to send 22/24/27 out there because you didn’t have to have a center.
I would also say it’s crazy that Blum and Hillen see the ice in OT, but Klein and Bouillon were so outclassed last night. There were a couple weak goals that Pekka let in, but the amount of time the Hawks had in our zone while Klein and Cube were out there was insane. They just couldn’t get the puck away. I give much props to Quenneville for getting Kane and Hossa out there as much as possible against those guys. Kane was an absolute beast. I can’t stand his little punk a**, but he was dominating. It is too bad Weber and Suter can’t play 60 minutes.
We had entirely too many bad turnovers too. That one by Horny at their blue line made me sick. Him and Wilson just kinda run into each other and stop skating and then odd man rush and then goal.
Speaking of Kane......
That’s exactly the type of player we lack here. His ability to move the puck into the offensive zone and get things set up is what you need to beat teams like the Canucks and Sharks. How to get someone like that is the hard part (maybe by actually using 1st and 2nd round picks on forwards might help). :/
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 5:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You are right, we DO lack a classless person on our team.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Talking about that kind of on ice skill, not off ice antics.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 1, 2011 7:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Off-ice antics mean something to me.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Yeah, because he scores goals against us. I just want some of that skill in the gold and blue. :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 2, 2011 12:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I know I am a Klein basher but 2 of the goals were his fault
Uh-huh. I might give you that he misplayed Kane’s 1st in the slot, but he WAS covered. That whole sequence was screwy and lucky. The other goal, if Klein takes Kane and Sharp scores, you are bashing Klein for taking Kane. You don’t take Kane and HOPE that Horny catches Sharp. In a race, Sharp beats Horny every time. He played it correctly, and Kane got a lucky bounce off of Pek’s pad and squeezed it in. Klein made some mistakes, so did <insert Predators’ roster here>.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
irrelevant
The majority doesn’t like Klien. Therefore, anything negative he is on the ice for is his fault, regardless of the actions that transpire.
Keys to the game: GA<GF
Well, when a guy is out there for 4 of the 5 goals, it doesn’t really bode well for him. I see now that he was tripped. I was watching it at a sports bar and couldn’t hear the sound. I take it they mentioned that on the telecast. Klein is out there all the time for goals. A majority of the goals scored on us, in fact. It has been like that all season. Perhaps it isn’t always a blown coverage, but the inability to win the puck in the D zone is just as bad, if not worse. Blown coverage on an odd man rush happens, but allowing the other team to camp out in your zone over and over like Klein and Cube did is devastating.
So why aren’t you guys crapping all over Cube on this? Why just Klein? When Klein and Blum were together Klein got all the heat for Blum’s mistakes and now he’s taking all the heat for Cube’s mistakes. Why is it that on game threads, whenever there’s a goal, someone says before they’ve even looked to be sure, “what did Klein do know?” It’s a presumption of guilt.
The man is not incompetent. He does a good job (note I did not say great) doing what he’s asked to do and does a lot of the things that don’t end up on the score sheet. I just wish people would give him credit for those things and stop blaming him for everything.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I think the reason some fans have it in for Klein is pretty obvious if you step back a bit.
The facts are that Klein and Cube are basically the exact same caliber of player. Experienced stay at home D-men with an upside. Both are quite affordable, at 1.35M. Kleiner is good on the PK and Cube plays with a visible edge.
In kind of the same vein you have Leggy and Fisher. Both have almost the exact same role on the team, are paid almost identically, and have very similar offensive production. Fisher is effective, in part, because of how physical he plays. He brings it. Legwand is effective, in part, because of his wheels.
It stands to reason that people are just not as forgiving of or endeared to the guys that don’t go out there and try to throw their weight around. Leggy and Klein are harder guys to love because they do with poise what some others do it with brute force. Suter is kind of the same (and it kills me that so many of our fans have a hard time seeing exactly how good he is…but I digress…). While he can manhandle pretty much anyone on the ice, he often chooses to rob you of the puck and smoothly turn the play up ice. That doesn’t quite make you jump out of your chair like when Weber paints someone into the boards. It’s just harder to appreciate. Flash is more fun to watch than fundamentally sound play. …and lets be honest, (with the exception of GB) we all watch hockey to be entertained, and on a really basic level…well, Kleiner isn’t the most entertaining defensemen to ever lace up.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 2, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
(with the exception of GB) we all watch hockey to be entertained,
I laughed out loud at this. My officemate is going “what now?!”
I’ve said for a while the Klein has a PR problem with the fans. What he does right goes unnoticed, but that he does wrong gets lit up with giant neon arrows. One thing you learn from watching goalies as much as I do is that often the best, most important, and most difficult moves a guy makes are the ones that go completely unnoticed, while the flash can be a sign of a breakdown rather than of playing well. While this isn’t true for everyone’s game (I wouldn’t say it’s true for Weber, for instance), it might just be true for Klein.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
CAustin!
Read my post, please. I called out Cube and Klein and talked about how they were outclassed. On the ice for 4 of 5 goals speaks for itself.
1) You aren’t the only person to whom I was replying. Hence the plural, “you guys.”
2) You can’t tell me that the comments on this article, including your own, don’t disproportionately single out Klein as the bad guy, even though. Your comments name “a guy” named “Klein [who] is out there all the time for goals. A majority of the goals scored on us, in fact. It has been like that all season.”
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Bouillon has only played four games and he was good the first three. Klein and Blum were awful before that. The consistent piece is number 8. When we got the last change at home, Klein and Cube were fine. Quenneville had the last change the other night and superbly got Kane and Hossa out there against Klein and Cube all night. That’s the breaks. We are going to have a lot of rough road games if that second pairing doesn’t get much much better, whatever the pairing might be.
Also, looks like Turris is about to get traded.
http://www.thepredatorial.com/2011/10/28/perfect-strangers-switching-the-defensive-pairings/
“After taking some time to delve into the goals scored against the Predators and see just how many could be laid at the skates of one Kevin Klein, what I found to my surprise, was that it wasn’t Klein’s fault.”
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
That experiment worked for 2 games where we got the last change. Let’s hope it continues to work, cause it didn’t in Chicago. You fail to read what I write.
I'm in a position right now where nothing I can say will make this converstion any better
I find your argument—that Klein is the most “conistent piece” of awfulness on the D-corps but that you aren’t singling him out—to be completely illogical and unsupportable. But no matter how many times or in how many ways I’ve said that, you keep saying I’m not getting it. At this point we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/12068/kyle-turris-trade-talks-heating-up
The Flames also fully understand the message they’re currently getting from Coyotes GM Don Maloney: That Phoenix is adamant it won’t deal him while he remains unsigned.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I read it both ways. Are you saying Kane or Klein was covered on the 1st goal? Either way isn’t correct. Kane was along the boards and then skated to the slot area. Cube had a man and the forwards (Erat & Halischuk) had the other man along the boards that Kane came from. Therefore Kane was Klein’s responsibility and Klein watches the play instead of defending Kane. Klein’s fault on that one.
As for the 3 on 2, after watching the highlights I change my mind. Klein did everything he could. When I watched it live Kane appeared to be deeper into the zone. With the speed Sharp had going into the zone, Klein had to respect Sharp. Just a good 3 on 2 chance by the Hawks.
Erat
I think it is safe to say that Erat can no longer be called a “key member” of this team anymore. On numerous occasions last night, he was beaten like a drum in the corners and failed to get pucks out of the zone. If this team goes south, package him and Klein for a bag of peanuts all I care.
Oh, I don’t know about that. I love Erat. That man can move pucks when he’s playing well. If nothing else, I definitely don’t think he HURTS the team in any way (the only exception being that he gets injured kinda often). He’s aggressive, he’s productive, and he’s a part of the heart of the Preds! I want him around.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Blum had a better game than Klein IMHO
Since he has been swapped to his natural D side he has been more comfortable. Still makes a few mistakes but seems to be learning from them, at least. Hillen was mediocre at best and seemed dead on his feet in OT. As soon as I saw Stalberg (sp) was barrelling in on Hillen, I figured it was in the net.
Smith
This kid….WOW….he just keep driving to net and actually shooting. I have been more impressed with him then anyone on the team right now. He has that natural ability with speed and one hell of a good shot too. I really hope he keeps it up and continues to get better. I said it before but the skys the limit for this kid and if the roof of the Bridge is too low for him we can always blow it off with noise.
Legwand
He was back in his splendid form again last night.
Great to see that!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions
He must not have liked what I wrote about him on Sunday.
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'm really trying hard
to figure out if you’re being facetious here or not, SWFP. I thought Legwand played a pretty good game, but I know there were a few things to pick on him for, and DHack has already made a comment on that theme. I just would usually expect you to be the first to point out his mistakes (mostly a few difficulties with puck control).
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Nov 1, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
See response below, turkey.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
hey, I’m not the master of Gobbledygook, Mr. Campaign Manager; are you feeling a little bashful after your reply fail?
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Nov 1, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
DIRK!!!
This dude just called me a Nazi. Every time I call somebody a F%&#, A*#&^ or a B^$%* you always scold me and I get the big red screen of shame.
I expect the same for this clown.
I prefer to categorize myself as enigmatic.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 3:40 PM EDT reply actions
Dang it, I meant to reply to the fella from Jersey City.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought it was Johnson City….
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
LOL
Nah, it’s Jersey!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno where the Nazi thing came from
but I’m 1/4 German and the German ancestry really dislikes nazis. I was just looking for confirmation that you are a fair guy despite your frequently scathing commentary.
However, after your reply, I would go so far as to recommend psychotherapy :-)
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Nov 1, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
“facetious”—“fascist”—Nazi. It was a joke that had to travel a long way to get home.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Some are better at getting jokes than others CAustin.
Thanks for helping him with that :)
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 2, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I just saw a commercial for Pistachio with the HONEY BADGER!
Honey Badger does it bad ass.
This just made my entire night.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
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