Predators @ Oilers preview: If at first you don't succeed...

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 28, 2011 12:32 PM EST in Nashville Predators Game Previews

EDMONTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Ryan Smyth #94 of the Edmonton Oilers scores the game winning goal on Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators on Ryan Smyth bobble head night. They would add an empty netter and win the game 3-1 on October 17, 2011 at the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

The Nashville Predators continue their road trip tonight in Edmonton, where they'll face the Oilers for the 3rd time already this season, with their final match not until late March. So far, Edmonton has had the upper hand, beating the Preds 6-2 in Nashville last week, and 3-1 in Edmonton back in October.

Can the Predators strike back and reverse a recent slide? Let's find out after the jump...

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Tale Of The Tape

Nashville (10-8-4) at Edmonton (12-9-2)
NSH Offense vs. EDM Defense				EDM Offense vs. NSH Defense
5-on-5
	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %	GA/60	SA/60	Save %
NSH Offense	2.3 (18th)	25.5 (28th)	9.2 (6th)	2.3 (9th)	32.5 (29th)	928 (8th)	NSH Defense
EDM Defense	2.3 (9th)	30.1 (20th)	922 (11th)	2.3 (18th)	25.6 (26th)	9.2 (6th)	EDM Offense
	GA/60	SA/60	Save %	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %
Special Teams
NSH PP vs. EDM PK				EDM PP vs. NSH PK
	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %	GA/60	SA/60	Save %
NSH 5-on-4	5.2 (19th)	47.3 (17th)	10.9 (18th)	5.9 (16th)	57.1 (27th)	896 (13th)	NSH 4-on-5
EDM 4-on-5	4.9 (11th)	43.3 (5th)	886 (14th)	7.6 (4th)	49.9 (13th)	15.3 (4th)	EDM 5-on-4
	GA/60	SA/60	Save %	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %

While still a sub-par 5-on-5 team, the Oilers have fared better than the Preds so far, and have enjoyed solid special teams performance as well. While they may not be playoff-caliber quite yet (that blueline still stinks), Edmonton does appear to be turning a corner competitively, and aren't the pushover of years past.

Edmonton Oilers

The overall numbers above belie a dramatic split between home & road performance by Edmonton. As Derek Zona wrote over at Copper & Blue, the Oilers have been especially strong on home ice:

The difference between home and road play has created enough material for a year's worth of "home cooking" puns for Gene Principe. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' road woes have been well-documented, but he's not alone. In fact, outside of the team's veteran core, the entire team has been in deep away from home this season, as evidenced by the scoring chances thus far...

And yes, RNH may be struggling away from Rexall Place, but he's rapidly pulling away from the field in the NHLrookie scoring race:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

#93 / Center / Edmonton Oilers

Height: 6-0

Weight: 171

Born: Apr 12, 1993

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2011 - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins	23	10	14	24	2	6	3	0	1		49	20.4

This is the Oilers' first game back on home ice after splitting a four-game road trip:

Edmonton Oilers Last 5 Games

@ Colorado	Sat 11/26	L 2 - 5
@ Minnesota	Fri 11/25	W 5 - 2
@ Nashville	Tue 11/22	W 6 - 2
@ Dallas	Mon 11/21	L 1 - 4
Chicago	Sat 11/19	W 9 - 2

Edmonton Oilers Injuries

Doubtful

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Taylor Hall	shoulder	11/28/2011

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Cam Barker	ankle	11/11/2011
Taylor Fedun	femur	10/03/2011

Nashville Predators

After an entertaining victory over Toronto back on November 17, the Preds have been in a 0-3-1 slide that comes just as the team has enjoyed a healthy lineup. Despite finally having all the intended tools available, the forward lines aren't clicking, and the defense is a shambles outside of the top pairing.

Nashville Predators Last 5 Games

@ Detroit	Sat 11/26	L 1 - 4
@ Minnesota	Wed 11/23	L 2 - 3
Edmonton	Tue 11/22	L 2 - 6
Columbus	Sat 11/19	OT - L 3 - 4
Toronto	Thu 11/17	W 4 - 1

Perhaps even more concerning might be the tapering off of Craig Smith's offensive production - might the rookie be slowing down as the grind of the NHL season takes its toll? Despite nearly identical ice time, his shots on net per game have declined from an average of 3.18 over his first 16 games, to 2.16 over the last 6.

Some may wonder if getting bumped off his line with Patric Hornqvist and Colin Wilson might be the cause here, but early on the Honey Badger was generating chances no matter whom he skated with.

Craig Smith

#15 / Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 197

Born: Sep 05, 1989

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2011 - Craig Smith	22	7	9	16	-2	16	3	0	0		64	10.9

Meanwhile on defense, word came down last night that groin trouble has kept Francis Bouillon at home, so it will be interesting to see how much responsibility Roman Josi takes on in his absence. The danger signs here are blinking furiously, as the strength of the Oilers is their talent & speed up front, while the Preds' vulnerability may be on the blueline right now, with Edmonton being able to match lines as they see fit on home ice.

Make sure to stay up late for our Game Thread, this could be a wild one, folks...

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Comments

I'm already preparing to regret that I stayed up late to watch this crap...

is that wrong of me to do that?

by turd-ferguson on Nov 28, 2011 12:44 PM EST reply actions

No. Planning ahead is always a good thing.

by OddManRush on Nov 28, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Make sure to have a bottle of your favorite booze nearby.

by DonBorvio on Nov 28, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

I'm hoping that the Preds deliver a pleasent surprise and win...

….but i have my backup Jack ready and waiting…..

by Herzausstein on Nov 28, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

I, too, will have been sorry to have stayed up past my bedtime. But mostly because I get weird when I get tired. And weird goeth before embarrassing.

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 28, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

So that’s why you act as you do here! ;p

Just kidding (we’re best of pals). :)

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Nov 28, 2011 7:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

har.

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 29, 2011 12:24 AM EST up reply actions

Is it on TV tonight?

Didnt see it on my guide on FSTN or Sports South

by Joel Ward is my Homeboy on Nov 28, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Preds website says FSTN at 8:30.

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 28, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Right now, world poker tour is listed...

but you can catch the “re-broadcaset” of the preds game on FSTN at 1:00 a.m. If I’m staying up late anyway, what the hell.

by turd-ferguson on Nov 28, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

zap2it.com has it listed as the game at 8:30 but Comcast doesn’t.

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 28, 2011 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

Weeeeeee

This should be “interesting”.

We'll miss you Belak...

Go Predators!

by Poiju on Nov 28, 2011 12:54 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, “intredasting”.

by DonBorvio on Nov 28, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Who would have ever thought

That the Pred’s with their draft history of selecting D men, would ever have a vulnerability on the blue line …..

by XVIII on Nov 28, 2011 1:00 PM EST reply actions

Of course, doesn’t help we keep losing them. Too much new blood right now there.

by DonBorvio on Nov 28, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

No, drafting all of these D-men show our vulnerability in the Neutral and Offensive Zones

Our puck possession numbers have to be some of the worst in the league with this sorry set of forwards.

I thought Josi looked pretty good the other night. I would suspect Josi will pick up Bouillon’s PP time and Hillen will pick up Bouillons PK time.

by GoPreds00 on Nov 28, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

i agree with your pp and pk pairings. do you think josi/blum will be 5-5 paired or will suter/blum and weber josi?

by predwheels on Nov 28, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Cube, like Kleiner, really only gets diminishing time on the powerplay so he isn’t part of a second unit like Blum has been. I think it might be Weber/Suter and Erat/Blum/Josi since Erat has played point a bit this year. I don’t see a Josi/Blum pairing as being a good idea until Blum can start making better decisions consistently. That umbrella style kind of allows for 4 forwards since you have 3 guys cycling off the blue line…

by Marcus Newman on Nov 28, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

Who knows, Trotz has been all over the board with his pairings the last 3 games.

I think you will see a lot of Suter/Weber. Even more than usual because Trotz is really hungry for a win. Hillen seemed to stabilize Klein the other night, so you might see that pairing together a bit. Blum will get his weirdo minutes, which will include being out there whenever one of the other guys don’t seem to be the right fit for the situation. I see the minutes tonight to be something like this:

Suter 27, Weber 26, Klein 18, Blum 18, Hillen 16, Josi 15. Of course it will all depend on the number of penalties as to how this all really shakes out.

by GoPreds00 on Nov 28, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

+1 to GoPreds00 above observation!

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Nov 28, 2011 7:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

So is it just me or is anyone else not seeing what they want out of the Erat – Fisher – SK line?

by ablairnash on Nov 28, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions

Unless you like to see a lot of passing, no.

by DonBorvio on Nov 28, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

So this line is also the model for the Power Play then , right? Lots ofpPassing and no shooting the puck …

by XVIII on Nov 28, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

It’s the Predator 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

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad we don’t consistently play the Willy-Horny-Honey Badger line on the PP…

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 28, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

agreed.

everyone keeps harping over legwand over smith on the 1st line, but the 2nd line has been stinking up the place. Frankly i would like to see smith on the 2nd line and Fisher moved to the 3rd.

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Nov 28, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

I'll say this...

When the Horny Honey Wilson line was intact, other teams clued in on them and freed up the SK/Fish/Erat line…that one game they were kick ass against Toronto because the Leafs focus was on the 33/15/27 line…just sayin’

by HardCorePredFan316 on Nov 28, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

except that line was only effective in the Anaheim game. I have no idea why Toronto would focus on them.

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Nov 28, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

game is over before it starts

Edmonton has been too good and getting the preds to play the individual game, and preds have already been playing that way. The only chance the preds have is if they learned how to play the team game from their Detroit whooping.

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Nov 28, 2011 1:43 PM EST reply actions

Any word on Taylor Hall?

I read he had a shoulder issue Saturday night against the Avs.

Would be nice (for us) if he needed just a few more days of recovery time.

The fans are standing up to them! The security guards are standing up to them! The peanut vendors are standing up to them! And by golly, if I could get down there, I'd be standing up to them! - Slap Shot

by rusherman on Nov 28, 2011 1:44 PM EST reply actions

NHL.com says he's out, I think.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 28, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Expected to be out, MRI today

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by Dirk Hoag on Nov 28, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

…and ready to move him into my IR slot as needed.

by OddManRush on Nov 28, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Smith

Okay, I may be way behind cause I’ve missed the last few games while on vacation (thank God!!), but has Smith not scored since the empty net debacle? You think that’s hurt his confidence? You can clearly see Lupul saying something to Smith after it happened during that Leafs game. I’m sure HB is getting razzed on a nightly basis. Just wondering if Smith even looks confident out there.

Online 24/7 at
www.chas-e.net

by Chas-E on Nov 28, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions

he's been fine

he got points in the minnesota and bluejackets games.

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Nov 28, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt there’s a crisis of confidence. I think he’s a rookie, and the vast majority of rookies don’t set the NHL on fire all season long. I haven’t noticed him looking any less sure of himself, although that can be hard to judge. This happened during the October slump, too, and he came back.

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 28, 2011 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

As long as he’s still getting some points. I guess I’ll attribute this losing streak with me not watching the last few games!

Online 24/7 at
www.chas-e.net

by Chas-E on Nov 28, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

I’m sure they held off winning until you could be there to share in it with them. The Preds love taking care of their fans 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

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Hysterical! They are sooooo thoughtful during the holiday season. I’ll make sure to stay up for tonight’s game, CA!

Online 24/7 at
www.chas-e.net

by Chas-E on Nov 28, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

You better...

We gotta turn this thing around…I’ve been switching jerseys and hats and jackets and whatever else to create a better mojo…nothing’s working…if it’s you, we might all pitch in to buy you Center Ice if the Preds keep winning. ;)

by HardCorePredFan316 on Nov 28, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault!

I’m switching jerseys too, HCPF. Awesome idea! Going back to the 3rd jersey.

Online 24/7 at
www.chas-e.net

by Chas-E on Nov 28, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yep...

Going to my Black Practice jersey since this is what the Predators need to do as well….LOL

by HardCorePredFan316 on Nov 28, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

I should make cookies. It’s worked before.

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 28, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Mmmm, bears love cookies! :)

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Nov 28, 2011 7:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I made cookies last night!

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 28, 2011 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

That must be why we won!

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 29, 2011 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

I forgot to actually plan time to do it. Sorry. We won anyway, though.

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 29, 2011 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

It’s because I had some McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies! Quite good, actually. :)

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Nov 29, 2011 1:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'm doing brownies tonight

The good kind. Where you actually melt the sugar in real butter so you get a lovely, textured, shiny top to ‘em and a fudgy middle. No nuts, though. It’s too icky out to go to the store tonight.

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 29, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

We make it easy for defenses to play us with Smith down on the 3rd line. Smith with Horny and Willy will draw the top dmen pairing most nites, allowing the Fisher line to pass against lesser d men.

I’d rather see the speed of the Honey badger line pull the top defensive pairing than the passing of the Fisher line.

My hockey team is better than your hockey team

by Predator Don on Nov 28, 2011 1:48 PM EST reply actions

I can’t figure out WHY our guys pass the puck so much. Honestly, Tootoo is the only player we have that fires the puck toward the net just about every time down the ice. Why is it so hard to understand that passing back and forth 15 times does not win games??

Oh hockey gods, enlighten me!!!!!

"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles

by amyinsparta on Nov 28, 2011 2:15 PM EST reply actions

Sure does happen a lot, and not just this season. They’ve had the same problem of passing too much for years. I have to believe at some point that coaching and strategies come into play. And if that’s not the case then the Predators do an amazing job of filling out their roster every year with players that hate to shoot the puck.

by ahall07 on Nov 28, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions