Flames 1, Predators 0: Out Of Gas
by Dirk Hoag on Nov 30, 2011 12:22 AM EST
in Nashville Predators Game Recaps
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PrintThe Nashville Predators just couldn't muster much offensive pressure tonight in Calgary, as the Flames plodded their way to a 1-0 victory behind Miikka Kiprusoff's 26 saves. Despite a late power play and a bit of a flourish with Pekka Rinne pulled in the final minute, the Preds just couldn't score, making this the first time all season they've been shut out.
Video highlights and reaction after the jump...
First the video (might have to wait until 45 minutes post-game for them to work):
Not-so-random observations from this one:
- There was plenty of blame to go around on that opening goal for Calgary. Two forwards up on one defenseman at the top of the zone (my eye's on you, Craig Smith), and a mix-up between Shea Weber and Colin Wilson down low with led to Derek Smith being left wide-open for the tap-in.
- For the most part, it was a typical Preds-Flames game, very few dangerous chances either way, and a pace that could lull viewers to sleep at times.
- Give full marks to the Calgary defense, once they got the 1-0 lead they shut things down pretty effectively. How many odd-man situations were the Preds able to create through center ice? I couldn't recall any.
- Roman Josi looks perty out there. Real perty. It's hard not to want to see him play a major role ASAP.
- Sergei Kostitsyn with 2 shots on goal. More of that, please!
- Jordin Tootoo put in his full night's work, and even spilled a little blood on-camera, too.
It's time to put this one in the rear-view mirror and rest up for Vancouver on Thursday night, that will be a major test.
NHL Box Score - Game Summary - Event Summary - Corsi Numbers
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Josi does look like the real deal
Like his game. Like his size. Seems confident. Preds still need goals.
It's nice to have a (so far, seemingly) solid Dman other than Weber and Suter.
Plus, I really enjoy watching him play – he looks in control and comfortable.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
I really thought Blum looked better with him too. Both played with confidence. Rrrrrrrroman was the slicker of the two though.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 30, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
Something else about this track
One of the lines is “She prays like a Roman with her eyes on fire.”
Have we found a theme song for Josi??
Ah, the Dan. If Hillen ever scores, let ’em sing “Do It Again.”
by Hockey Hillbilly on Nov 30, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
I appreciate Klein pretty much taking away two tap-in goals from Calgary tonight
Evidenced by Crispy’s new weekly installment of the ever popular “Defend a Klein” segment.
Still, I can’t help but yell, “C’mon Klein you almost Kleined the Kleining Klein out of us there!”
Lastly, Tootoo skates like Louis Mendoza from the Mighty Ducks.
Good Night Friends.
P.S. – anyone else going to the Dave and Busters grand opening Thursday night? I hear the game will be on and some Preds folk will.be on hand.
Pardon me, I mustache you a question...
by Frattaway on Nov 30, 2011 12:56 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Klein looks much better out there since paired with Hillen.
Hillen is so solid positionally that it helps Klein play a more structured game.
Very much so. The fact that they basically split time with Josi/Blum seemed to benefit everyone.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 30, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
There's an O in Josi, but not in our offense.
Josi, at least in his trial run, looks like he could handle being that #3 or #4 Dman for us. And Rinne was good again. But really, Peks, how do you expect us to win when you’re giving up 1 goal a game like this? We need better from you. (Sarcasm off). :/
I think it was one of those Greek philosophers (maybe Chinese) who said “he who has no O gets no W”. It’s still true today.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 30, 2011 1:14 AM EST via mobile reply actions
You can lead a Predator to ice, but you can't make him score.
Sk74 hasn’t had a point in 6 games, and in fact only has 3 points in his last 11 games, and they all came in one game and were assists. He has 10 games in November without a point. He will end the month of November with 0 goals.
Fisher hasn’t had a point in 4 games. He had 9 games in the month of November without a single point.
Erat had 2 points in his last 6 and they were assists.
and while we’re at it
Legwand, zero points in his last 5 games.
Wilson, 1 point, an assist, in his last 5 games.
Hornqvist, zero points in 9 games!!!!!!!!
Smith, zero goals in 9 games. Hasn’t scored a goal since he missed that open net. I think he cursed himself. No pun intended. He has just 3 assists in those 9 games.
F*#k November!
Bring on December!
Quit hatin' on Leggy.
His defensive role is more than worth it’s weight in feathers.
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 30, 2011 8:41 AM EST up reply actions
The donkey
I know you kid, but he is the one I worry about least. I always expect nothing from Legwand and so I am never disappointed, only slightly amused when he scores his trick goals and empty netters.
They are all reprehensible to me at the moment.
Erat's pissing me off the most.
All his dancing around with the puck.
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 30, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
and that backhand at the end of the game.
apparently he has forgotten about the Chicago series already.
Keys to the game: GA<GF
The outlaw looks pretty good so far.
He should play more, perhaps in front of Blum? Klein?
5 straight games we haven’t scored 3 goals. Painful to watch. Beware the Ides of November.
And Muck Fichigan. But hey, it’s not good for college football when M is down. But alas, the Urban legend is about to rise.
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 30, 2011 8:39 AM EST reply actions
outlaw?
is this hillen? his toi was 6th last night, but barely behind 5th, klein.
Aye.
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 30, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Something I touched on in the gameday thread.
I think there’s no question that Pekka is the superior netminder over Anders. Yet, Anders has a better winning percentage for the last two seasons. I don’t know whether I’m reading too much into it or what, but it seems to me that the players don’t try as hard when Peks is in net because they expect him to be Superman every night and keep them in the game. Next thing they know, they’re down and it’s late in the third period. Just a thought.
The one thing that impressed me most about Josi was his speed. He seemed very quick on his feet to retrieve pucks and keep away from attackers.
interesting point
You make an interesting point however the stats can be deceiving because the amount of time in goal and the number of shots faced will greatly impact the final analysis. So if both goal tenders do not face the same type of shooting teams then the percentages will be different. Its hard not to let anything in when you are facing rapid fire shots vs not much going on at your end at all.
First, they don’t actually play any better in front of Lindy. The guys didn’t play especially good when Lindy started in LA last month. Or when Lindy came in to relieve Pekka when Edmonton blew us away at home earlier this month. In both of those games he faced a lot of shots and let in 3+ goals. His numbers this season are .901 and 2.72. (average to below average). But it’s an extremely small sample size. A single game will change that significantly.
Second, from what I’ve read there’s no consistency over time across the league in how teams perform in front of a back up vs their starter. I’d have to find the article I read again, to be sure of the numbers so I won’t post them here. Just remember that for every “getting Lindy the win” scenario (Monday in Edmonton, for example), you have an “oh crap, Mike Smith is playing” scenario (in Tampa—all of 2010). Mike Smith’s record in relief of Dan Ellis for the first two months of the 2010-11 season was .878 and 3.35.
Third, wins are a team stat, not a goalie stat. I’ll let you get away with it this time because your point was about the team’s play, but wins don’t tell you a d*mn thing about goalies.
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’re funny. “Letting me” get away with a thought.
First, I didn’t claim Lindy was better.
Second, I didn’t outright say I thought the team played better when Lindy was in goal.
Third, The point was that perhaps the team relies on Pekka too much to keep them in games and may not put forth 100% effort every night when he’s between the pipes.
Don’t get your panties in a bunch.
Settle, petal. It was a joke.
Sorry that didn’t come across.
I didn’t say you claimed Lindy was better. I said that there’s no evidence that
the players don’t try as hard when Peks is in net
Do they rely on Pekka too much? Well, they appear to rely on Lindback just as much.
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
It's just logical
When you have almost no ability to generate offense you’re gonna have to lean on the goalie. Hope that whoever is in net can keep it close and hope that we can screw up and score a goal.
Somebody put the Biscuit in the Basket!!!!
Lindy, like Pekka, is fast for such a big guy but there is a gap in the skill level from my view.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 30, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
blocks
pred of the game showing josi with 3 blocks. many here, not me, say blocked shots don’ t matter. i guess that’s only for klein though.
If I were Trotz, I would concentrate on improving the Power Play.
The Preds are at a 15.7 % effective rate. Got to be over 20% to make an impact. Otherwise you are losing ground against the better teams and won’t go anywhere in the playoffs. Time to shake up the players. I would split/remove one of Suter or Weber on that top pairing…OR….get them off the ice after one minute so PP2 could actually have some time to work.
Trotz improving the PP?
LMAO.
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 30, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
he will take full control of it in the off season and work on it…..
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Nov 30, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
November
does it seem to anyone else that the team always does really bad in November for some reason.
last season: 5-6-3
this season: 6-5-2
Keys to the game: GA<GF
maybe its the turkey season fowls them up or perhaps having everyone back from early season injuries fowls up the works
That was just fowl. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 30, 2011 11:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not thrilled with the offense or outcome
…but I saw some good things last night, especially defensively and maintaining possession. Josi looked like a vet out there and Blum was much more confident. Mostly I like the TOI for the defense overall.
We better get this train moving soon though, that’s for sure.
Yup. And with the improvement of so many of our Western conference foes, there won’t be very many easy games along the way either.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 30, 2011 11:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
There haven’t been a lot of easy games in a long time.
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 long as the Preds continue to be
hard to play against and even harder to beat, I think the fact that most games are up for grabs is a good thing.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 30, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
As long as we can stay in the logjam and not 5 games back … :)
I don’t know that there is as much “improvement” across the board in the west as there just seems to be more parity. Where teams like the Wild and STL look improved, team like Anaheim and Calgary are headed in the wrong direction. The BJ’s may be dangerous but that team is built so badly I just don’t see them getting all that much better either.
by Marcus Newman on Nov 30, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
The Hawks, Blues, Wild, Oilers, Stars and Kings are all improved from last season. The Canucks, Sharks, Wings and Coyotes all seemed to have maintained their level of play. The Avs are about equally weak compared to last season, the Jackets will be a tough out despite their horrible start. That really leaves just the Ducks and Flames as worse than last years teams, the Flames only marginally worse. We, on the other hand, look to be a bit weaker than last seasons club.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 30, 2011 6:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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