Predators 1, Red Wings 4: So Begins the Descent Into Madness
by 3DLink on Nov 26, 2011 10:29 PM EST
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I'm not allowed to used real photos since I don't own them... So here is an artist's interpretation of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg
For those who don't know me I am Link from the Predators and music blog Puck & Punk. Due to a scattering of official OnTheForecheck staff Dirk asked me to fill in with the game recap tonight. Let's get started.
I wrote pretty much an entire page of stuff about the game tonight, but here's the thing: it all pretty much sucked. The Red Wings dominated the play for the entire night. They also, not surprisingly, outshot the Predators heavily 37 to 19. With this loss the Preds are now 1-3-1 in their last 5 games with losses, including 1 one OT loss, in the last 4.
So, here's what we're doing.
Let's start with the good:
- Roman Josi looked solid out there. He played about 5:40 in the first two periods, but then played just over 6:30 in the final period stepping in due to a lower-body injury to Bouillon.
- Jack Hillen scored his first goal as a Predator on a slick pass from Collin Wilson bringing the Preds to within three goals of tying the Red Wings.
- No one in the Game Day Thread succumbed to alcohol poisoning.
How about the bad:
- Pekka has been having some balance issues. Either he's spiking his Gatorade with kossu or he's crashed into the boards one to many times try to slow down dumped in pucks.
- The Predators managed only small spurts of effort, most of that effort coming only in the third period after the Wings were already up by 4 goals.
- The Red Wings seemed like they were well prepared tonight. Their defense seemed to effortlessly frustrated the Nashville squad all night while the Detroit forecheck was merciless and nigh unstoppable.
- Tootoo continues to struggle with clearing the puck in his defensive zone. I've been harping about it all season, and again it cost the Predators a goal.
- The Preds ended up being out shot 19-37. I'm pretty sure those totals were that close because of the Preds finishing the game with a pair of power plays.
- Trotz's lines were again bonkers. Again. By the third period they had settled down into what fans are more used to.
- A shot from Roman Josi caught Patrick Eaves in the ear, and the Red Wings penalty killer was stretchered off the ice. The replay showed that the puck hit his shoulder and rolled up before hitting his ear. The impact could have been far force, so that was fortunate for the forward.
Here is the night's only non-depressing highlight. I recommend that you just watch this and then hum quietly to yourself until you go to sleep.
Now the Predators have a one day to straighten out their game before a back-to-back against a pair of teams that seem to have our number. Monday they play the revitalized Oilers, while Tuesday Nashville faces offs against the always frustrating Calgary Flames.
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It's time to talk about trading SK47 or drop him to the 3rd or 4th line
He has 4……just 4 SOG the entire month of Nov so far. He went 5 games in a row without a SOG. How are our top liners supposed to get rebounds when SK won’t shoot the damn puck. I used to be a big fan of him but I’m sick of him passing up wide open shots to the goal while he’s looking to pass only to turn the puck over. He’s a liability now and if he hasn’t learned by now he’s not gonna. Smith has 62 SOG compared to 14 for SK so far this season. Enough already.
by TSCinSFO on Nov 26, 2011 10:56 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I honestly still think SK is getting over his injury. I wouldn’t look at SOG to see how much he is shooting because it seem like he is actually shooting a little more than last year most are just block or go wide of the net. SK and Smith do play different positions, and are not really interchangeable since I think one is left and one is right handed. Who is better than SK47 that is on the 3rd and 4th line?
That's why I mentioned trade
or plug Geoffrion back in. Hell, see what he can do. I know Boomers regressed from last season, but when one of our top liner won’t shoot he’s no good on the ice and it shows with getting outshot 2-1. To accept the fact that SK is what he is means this Preds team is in for a long struggle on offense, again, this season. And we looked so good during last last winning streak at times….Sigh!
This is a streaky team...
I have come to accept this. Long winning streaks followed by 3-4 game losing streaks. It is fun to watch the message boards while this takes place.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
Fun/Depressing.
You know, one of those.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
SK74
i agree if not 3rd or 4th line for now, a trade should be considered. he makes 2.5 mil, so he needs to play like it.
by predwheels on Nov 27, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t want to be a Legwand hater, but he is starting to glide like Arnott, and since he has come back we can’t muster anything. I can only hope he proves me wrong, but I do get tired of watching him eat our clock on the PP.
Seems like when we have an injury(s) and get lines working
the lines get all screwed up when everyone is back healthly. The lines change around to accomodate the healthy guy(s) coming back and it throws them into a funk. Hence the bad, horrible, back passes to no one there etc
It's Legwand who needs to be on the 3rd line
I mentioned this in the Oilers Post game thread, but there’s no sense in having a player like Hornqvist who screens the goalie and bangs in the rebounds if there is no one to get the puck on net in the first place. The team has suffered big time since Legwand came back and forced Smith down to the 3rd line. Now i really like Tootoo and Spaling, but they are nothing compared to Wilson and Hornqvist offensively and having Smith on that 3rd line is killing production, not to mention breaking up the Chemistry that the Wilson-Smith-Hornq line had going. It’s been four games now that Trotz has kept these lines and we have lost all four. Trotz is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It doesnt help to switch around the lines in the third period once you’re down by 3-4 goals.
by TheEraser35 on Nov 27, 2011 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
High-five for the hate. I mean there is some good points that Dirk had brought up about reasons for shifting players around, but totally with you on the Legwand thing for the moment. I do feel a little sad for Smith that he likely will not win the Calder just because RNH plays for a team that is offensively based and RNH will get more points regardless, but then I think how Smith plays for us and that make me happy. Oh and everyone should try to vote for at least Smith, Rinne, Weber, and Suter for the NHL all-star game.
Hey, totally unrelated, but didn’t you mention being interested in doing a OtF game-day?? A bunch of us are trying to set that up, if you’re still in (and if I’m remembering correctly).
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Yeah, I rec’ed the 15th. I am still waiting on my brother to get in town and get us tickets, but that is the plan.
Oh, okay. Awesome. Just thought I’d ask since you were around.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Well written, Link!
Pretty much hit the nail on the head… sucking, sucking, more sucking, Hillen scores!!!!!!!, sucking, continued sucking…
Idea to add to the “good” list – Suter did NOT get a late penalty!
Also, I think you wrote the impact could have been “far forse” instead of “far worse.”
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Summary of tonight's game:
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
by davisca on Nov 26, 2011 11:00 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I keep waiting for the day this .gif doesn't make me laugh
and it keeps not coming.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 27, 2011 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
It's all Rinne's fault!
Why, how dare he give up a goal until our pop gun offense finally put one on the board in the 3rd period! Is it really to much to ask for him to stop 34 of 34 shots? Bad Pekka, bad!!! (Sarcasm now turned off). ;)
This game was like a boxing match where the one fighter has superior handspeed compared to his opponent. You can guess which one was which here. IIRC, we’ve only outshoot an opponent twice this entire season. This isn’t an abberation, it’s because we lack puck possession ability (i.e. skill up front). The fix is an obvious one, but will it ever happen? Sigh.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 26, 2011 11:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
you’ve been busy lately. Trying to keep up with Link on the picture front? Or make up for when he bails on us to go to the games?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
“We will continue to explore our options of adding a top 6 forward” Poile’s been saying this since, oh Idk 2009?
Smoke going somewhere the sun don’t shine
+1
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 26, 2011 11:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I am just hoping that Parise keeps tanking, and that the Devils continue to slide, so that we can pick him up for a reasonable trade.
ZP has been snake bit so far this season, as the goal that got waived off that he originally got credited for today with 3 seconds left in the 3rd demonstrated. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t sign with the Wild this off-season.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 26, 2011 11:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well that is better than him going to the Wings or Ducks. I would say Chicago or Vancouver, but do they even have room for anymore talented forwards.
He’s a Minny boy, his bride to be is a Minny girl and the Wild will have lots of $$$ to throw his way come July 1, 2012. Lou L. better make a really good sell to keep ZP in NJ.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 26, 2011 11:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I had it all set up that way, but CAustin somehow gummed up the whole plan. :p
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 12:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I keep trying to get it through to you guys that pimping out the girls for hockey contracts is uncool.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
As Charlie Sheen put it so eloquently, “winning”. Gotta do what it takes, CA. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 12:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
well davisca is dating SOB but it didn’t work out for us keeping him, so don’t be so hard on yourself.
:( sowwy!
I’m trying to remember how that conversation came into being, hahaha… I remember that this was the conclusion, but for the life of me, I can’t remember how we got there!
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
it’s probably best that way.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
a top 6 forward on our team is like a bottom 6 forward on another team.
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Nov 26, 2011 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
Uh…. well… I play on a local men’s league, but only during the summer?
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
yes, you could do the job. I have a feeling you would certainly shoot more!
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Nov 26, 2011 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Rinne’s just trying to teach us a lesson. It’s the tough love approach. Be magnificent 95% of the time and then remind us to grow up and get an offense and move out of our parents’ basement.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
by CAustin on Nov 27, 2011 12:05 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I like this analogy!
Really good!
by djzielin on Nov 27, 2011 3:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hahahaha! This is wonderful!
When Pekka Rinne starts trying to be proactive and clear the puck out of his own zone, you know it’s time to pick up your shit and get yourself moving on whatever job you’re supposed to be doing.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
scoring
when all is said and done, you are right that this is the problem. the truly sad thing is it has been for years and not much has been done, if even that much.
Josi
The best thing about Josi’s 12 minutes tonight is that he doesn’t waste time, he just gets it out of the zone. He did make some nice long passes. Our offense would definitely open up if we kept both him and Ellis (once he develops) in the long run. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in terms of who is left the odd man out once Laakso returns.
Personally speaking, I think we’re “showing” off some of our younger D talent for possible trade bait, just a thought…
I hope that to be so, but GMDP can never have 2 many Dmen prospects. I think I’d faint if he actually flipped one of them for scoring help.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 26, 2011 11:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
LOL…but I definitely hate to see Josi go, and have to watch Klein and Laakso every night. I know it is early to make this comment, but dude can move the puck.
If that ever happens, I want evidence.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
I do not want pics of that. Not at all.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
ugh,
That is not good. I shall send vibes of healing energy his way.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
You know what I'd like to see?
Actual skating. It’s a new approach to hockey, but I think it might catch on.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
You mean like the way the Wings do it? But, but, that’s not “Predators hockey”!
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 12:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Have we won a game since Legwand's return?
It has messed up any line chemistry we’ve thought about building.
Also, Josi looked good with his play I though. Seemed to keep the puck on his stick w/o letting it hop all over. Can’t say that for the rest of the shmucks.
Time for Poile to do something to shake the team up… maybe trade Klein for some pucks?
grumpy insurance adjuster. hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. nerd.
you really think we would get more than one for him?
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Nov 27, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Well
The Preds should have a decent shot against Calgary.
What turnover by Tootoo???
Which goal are you talking about?
The 4th goal was turnover by Fisher, not Tootoo.
Maybe I missed another one earlier.
In my opinion, Tootoo is the only forward playing well during this losing streak.
That play happened on turnovers by both Tootoo and Fisher (Weber too if you want to place any blame where it doesn’t belong).
Tootoo made a pass across the inside of his own blue line while the two teams were scrumming for it on the boards to Rinne’s left. There was nobody there and Brad Stuart stepped up to dump it back in and reset the forecheck. Cleary pressured Blum behind the net to Rinne’s right where he went to Weber on the other side. As Weber and Fisher separate, Helm skates in on the other side to pressure. Weber throws a pass that hits the tape on the backhand of Fisher’s stick. Fisher doesn’t control that, so the puck goes off the boards where he has to re-collect it. This gives the speedy Helm the time he needs to catch up with Fisher and steal the puck.
Ultimately, I’d say Fisher’s mistake was twice as bad as Tootoo’s, but the play he made on the Wings’ third goal where he needed to buy his guys more time to get set up and instead he got off a weak shot that the Wings turned into quick transition was also a mistake.
Definitely impressed with that Josi kid. I also think Legwand played well. He’s the one who blocked the outlet pass in the Detroit zone which led to the Predator’s goal.
Klein wasn’t totally at fault for the coverage on Detroit’s first goal. The Wings transitioned from a PP setup that calls for a diamond to one that calls for a box very quickly and it was designed to key in on the one low defenseman having two guys to cover. If somebody is paying attention to Filppula, that goal doesn’t happen. He was garbage on the Zetterberg goal though. Letting a guy as small and slow as Jiri Hudler beat you to the boards and then outbattle you for the puck should be an instabench for a d-man of Klein’s size.
Preds are slumping. This is a better team than the performance they put in last night.
by J.J. from Kansas on Nov 27, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
You know the game was bad
when we didn’t even break 950 on the GDT. On a Saturday night. For an away game. Against Detroit. Gang, we are officially POTP.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
That would be “Descent”. Sorry, I’m a former teacher; can’t help myself. Your word, ‘decent’, means they were respectable. They were in no way respectable in their play.
just so you know. :p) Your review was more than decent, however. In fact, it was very good!
"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles
Thank you
Yes, I can’t believe I missed that, but there’s a reason I never try and proof my own work: I’m terrible at it.
Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.
Follow me on twitter:@3DLink
what should klein have done differently
goal 1 – beruzzi push-off and rebound weent to opposite side from klein and all preds on ice stopped after rebound and before shot for goal. whho had fillpula?
goall 2 – wilson had zetterberg, not klein. he gave him, as terry said, “too much time and space”
goal 3 – tipped pucks past klein for deflection.
I guess you fail to realize that it is Klein’s job to clear the front of the net, and not allow Bertuzzi to get behind him. Instead Bertuzzi clears him out in front of the net, which lead to what everyone thought was a goal. Only then did it go to Flippula. The genesis of the chance was on Klein.
Also, go watch the Zetterberg goal again. You will see Hudler completely own Klein on the boards. Not only does he beat Klein to the puck, but then he throws him on his ass, which allows the pass to Zetterberg. Let it be known that Hudler is 5’9 and 180 lbs.
Then watch as Flippula is allowed to hang out in front of our net and tips a puck past Rinne while Klein is standing right next to him and screening our goalie.
I think we should keep defending Klein while bashing possibly our best player, Suter. Let’s point out the one bad turnover Suter had on a powerplay and not bring up the fact that Klein was out there for 3 of the 4 Red Wings goals. Klein blocks shots, people. HE BLOCKS SHOTS. What’s that? Suter produces offensively? Sure, but how many shots does he block? Screw having comparable stats to two Norris Trophy finalists, we need guys with 4 points and a -11 that blocks shots!
Interesting that Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal suggested that we should think about packaging Lindback and Ellis for scoring help. Makes so much sense, doesn’t it? It’ll happen when Reindeer fly!
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 1:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions
We should just put Ellis at forward. and see what happens. His size would pretty much be a non-factor, but his skills would shine through.
So, December 24th, then?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
The only problem is, there’s a trade freeze during Dec. 24. ;p
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 3:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well, the reindeer probably practice between now and then, so who knows?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein
Only Santa knows. ;)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 4:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
did the preds ever have a chance?
Last night I just kept thinking that it was the experience of the wings that won them that game, as they constantly had players in the right place doing the right things. I hope the preds review game tape from last night caused the wings perfectly demonstrated several things that the preds have not been good at this year, such as puck support and positioning.
Keys to the game: GA<GF
by flyalder on Nov 27, 2011 1:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I’m not sure why there is any belief the Preds will trade thier younger d men when Suter is sitting here with no contract after this year. Until Suter signs, he is the likely person to be traded. We simply cannot afford for him to walk after the season, while trading away our younger talent. It doesn’t make sense.
I’m betting the discussions with Suters agent has Poile playing a little hard ball….Or it’s how I would approach Suters agent. Suter has a choice…. he either signs with us or faces the real possibility being sent to teams who make trades close to the deadline…yes, teams re building. Bad teams. Teams out of the playoffs. Sure, Poile could pull a trade with a contending team, but normally, that is not how things work. So imo, Suter signs or takes the chance of a trade to a team who will be labeled as “re building”…….. We simply can’t allow him to walk with no return.
I think thats why we’ve seen a few shifts of Weber and Suter split up. I believe its why Suter has made a few bad decisions on the ice…..He is a little pre occupied.
I believe its up to Suter who gets traded, but I believe it would be a large error in judgement to hope Suter signs and trade away young assets.
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
I also believe that it really wouldn’t matter much to Suter if he got traded this season if he had the intention of testing the UFA market in the first place.
As far as not being able to trade a young Dman due to Suter’s situation, we’ll never make a deal if we allow future “what if’s?” to dictate our current situation and needs. If after all of Poile’s drafting of Dmen over the past drafts doesn’t enable us to move one of them for fear we may lose someone to free agency, then somethings went very wrong with our developing of those prospects.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 3:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh, we could trade a young dman, but what would be the point when you have Suter not signed, whether he tests the market or not.
This is not a what if. This is either Suter signs and then we may put together a package, or he does not and he would be the logical choice to trade.
Sorry, you do not trade a Ellis, Josi, etc and then face the possibility of trading Suter…in a relatively short timeframe.
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
by Predator Don on Nov 27, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Why not?
If you get the forward you need by dealing Ellis, you can then use Suter, if it comes down to where you feel you have to move him, in a deal for a replacement Dman. If we lost Suter, he can’t be replaced by another rookie in our system, as half our defense would then be made up of rookies. We’d need to find a vet to take his spot.
If a deal came along for a skilled forward that a package involving Ellis or Josi could get us, we need to make it, regardless of Suter’s situation.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 27, 2011 9:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
A suter trade could bring both a forward and dman. I don’t think we will get an experienced offensive threat for a josi or Ellis…….they have proven nothing at the NHL level, although I believe both will be productive players.
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
by Predator Don on Nov 28, 2011 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
Unless a team was confident that they would be able to re-sign Suter, it’s doubtful they would part with that much in return for him.
Ellis or Josi alone won’t get us the player we need, but packaged together with someone like Lindback and a high round pick could possibly get it done.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 28, 2011 12:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I also believe I used “I believe” a few too many times…LOL
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
but it made me a believer
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Nov 27, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
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