Predators @ Sharks Preview: Once more into the shark tank
by Dirk Hoag on Nov 5, 2011 10:40 AM EDT
in Nashville Predators Game Previews
Email
PrintThe Nashville Predators take their new-found confidence into San Jose tonight, for a road battle against one of the Western Conference's top contenders. Can a relatively healthy Preds team stand toe-to-toe with a team which has nothing less than a Stanley Cup in their sights this season? Tune in tonight at 9:30 on FS-TN to find out...
Looking for a deal on Nashville Predators tickets? Take the OTF Discount!
The Tale Of The Tape
| Nashville (6-4-2) at San Jose (7-4-0) | |||||||
| NSH Offense vs. S.J Defense | S.J. Offense vs. NSH Defense | ||||||
| 5-on-5 | |||||||
| GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | ||
| NSH Offense | 2.5 (11th) | 24.5 (28th) | 10.1 (4th) | 2.4 (16th) | 32.1 (29th) | 926 (13th) | NSH Defense |
| S.J. Defense | 1.9 (4th) | 27.4 (6th) | 929 (18th) | 2.6 (9th) | 33.3 (3rd) | 7.9 (13th) | S.J. Offense |
| GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | ||
| Special Teams | |||||||
| NSH PP vs. S.J PK | S.J. PP vs. NSH PK | ||||||
| GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | ||
| NSH 5-on-4 | 5.2 (19th) | 42.5 (24th) | 12.2 (16th) | 3.2 (4th) | 54.2 (22nd) | 941 (3rd) | NSH 4-on-5 |
| S.J. 4-on-5 | 9.0 (26th) | 46.8 (12th) | 809 (28th) | 5.9 (16th) | 82.0 (1st) | 7.1 (26th) | S.J. 5-on-4 |
| GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | ||
As we saw when these two team first met early last week, the Sharks are a dominant 5-on-5 team, while that's still an area in which the Preds have struggled. The 5-on-5 situation should improve, however, now that the lineup is finally getting back to normal, so the real danger area I see here is when San Jose goes on the power play. They're putting a ton of shots on net, and Nashville's save percentage on the penalty kill is unsustainably high.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose has been one of the hotter teams in the NHL, with wins in 6 of their last 7 games coming into tonight. Joe Pavelski is leading the way these days, as San Jose boasts their typical stacked lineup of talented, speedy forwards. They can roll 3 genuinely dangerous lines, and now have the all-around force on the blueline in Brent Burns that the Sharks have been after for years.
For more on tonight's game from the opponent's perspective, check out Fear The Fin's preview.
Nashville Predators
The Predators almost seem like the preseason lasted a couple extra weeks, as we saw a roster loaded with kids for the first couple weeks, which often seemed lost just trying to break out of their own zone. With Sergei Kostitsyn and Mike Fisher making their return Thursday night in Phoenix, it will be interested to see if we get a repeat of the forward lines from that game:
What fascinated me most about this bunch is that 3rd line, which was surprisingly effective. More and more, I like the sheltering of the Honey Badger's minutes where possible - Craig Smith is still a rookie, after all, and we need to keep the long-term perspective in view. Besides, if the Preds can get some pop out of that line, it greatly adds to their versatility, as the top two, while effective, aren't exactly lights-out offensive units.
64 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Let’s go Predators!
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Nov 5, 2011 11:15 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Let's go Preds!!!!
Take to the sharks like ya did phoenix, wish I could watch but it’s still blacked out in my area!!!
by Preds&niners on Nov 5, 2011 11:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
end of daylight savings time
Don’t forget to change your clocks tonight! The extra hour tonight will make it easier to get up tomorrow after the late night watching the game.
Did anyone work up the Game Thread Template
because, dang, that’s a late start time.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
It’s still roughly 15 hours after I got up this morning, and cats don’t care about Daylight Savings Time. They want to be fed when they want to be fed.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
No. Very busy day yesterday and today. I do have all the data captured and can turn it around at some time soon.
for you it starts at 9:30 but for me it starts at 10:30. I assume I will be up much later than 12 watching the game until and you up later than 11. But thats ok cause its really only 11 and 10 according to tomorrows clock. All this time traveling is blowing my mind
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Nov 5, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction...
Clearly you are EST… other wise you would not have said that. Also, no designation of “coast.” So instead, let’s go with, “I didn’t know you were in the east!”
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
He's in Johnson City
so I’m not the only fan in J.C. anymore. There are now two of us at ETSU. A couple of other people I have met around campus that moved here from Nashville know who the Predators are, but they don’t follow hockey. Most of the locals here don’t even know what hockey is… “is hockey whacha do when yer coffin up that yeller stuff?”
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Nov 6, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
mixed feelings about the line combinations
Love the balance. Wish Smith had more potent partners to see what he could do. But I do like the speed on that line. … Good feelings about tonight. Go get em guys. And Lindy get ready because you’re finally getting a game next week. Probably about time. Not sure how I feel about Pekka getting 70 games.
by el pucko on Nov 5, 2011 11:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
we play the kings and ducks back to back. not quite sure if i’m fully confident with him going up either one of them
Here’s my thinking. Play Lindy against the Kings, because the rest of the team will be fresh. Then play Pekka against the Vicious Waterfowl because we’ll need him to steal the game for us. And b/c it’s they’ll be angry Vicious Waterfowl.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
But they should split those two, don’t you think, CA? We need to sneak Lindy in there and maybe give Pekka a break.
by el pucko on Nov 5, 2011 5:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, that’s why I said start Lindy against the Kings in the first game.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
I know, backing you up, guess im just saying the order doesn’t matter much to me … just give the guy a night off when it makes sense, even when he wants to go and even if he’s on a roll.
by el pucko on Nov 5, 2011 5:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I definitely agree with Lindy starting. I’ve been hollering in favor of Lindy getting a few starts since July—good for Lindy, good for Pekka, good for the team. For some reason, the coaching staff doesn’t actually consult me, though. I still haven’t figured that out.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
Here's my thinking:
Play Pekka every game!
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 5, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Attention, Preds coaching staff!
No one listen to this man!!! He is wrong!
:P
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
does anyone know if the game will be on in Atlanta?
Stuck here on biz
by 901predfan on Nov 5, 2011 11:42 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Keep the streak HornQ!
Hockey Fights Cancer and so do I
Join me at
www.stbaldricks.org/participants/ceh
griz-ATL
Thanks for the generous invite! Prior commitments have me holed up here though.I am in the Galleria area what does the sports bar scene look like here.
by 901predfan on Nov 5, 2011 2:02 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
There’s a Jock and Jill’s near Cumberland mall at 1 Cumberland Pkwy. Also Sportsline at 2359 Windy Hill Rd. A restaurant I like in the area is Rose and Crown Tavern at 1931 Powers Ferry Rd – they have TVs throughout. There are a few Taco Mac locations within a 15min drive. You’ll have to call to see if any have NHL Center Ice. It is college football Saturday so you’ll have competition for the TVs.
Any one know if it is blacked out on NHL centerice or not?
by Preds&niners on Nov 5, 2011 5:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
It's on local TV, so probably.
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 5, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Jackets down 5-0 in 1st period to Flyers......
Does the coach get fired after the game or during it? :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 5, 2011 7:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Do they even have a goalie in the net?
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
Change is on the way in Columbus…
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
We have a few goalies we could throw them for some Rick Nash…
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
I’ve heard that Clemmenson is being shopped to Columbus as well.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
If Clemmenson has a NTC, he might invoke it in this instance. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 5, 2011 9:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Rick Nash is going to die in Columbus. I mean, ten out of ten for loyalty, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah?
Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.
Follow me on twitter:@3DLink
Boston
The Bruins are up 7-0 against the leafs.
And Detroit's up 5-0
over Anaheim. so yaaaay! and boooo!
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEKKA!!!
Can’t wait for our 23-0 blowout of the Sharks…
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
hahahahaha!!
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Selanne must have been one angry Duck tonight, two 10 minute miscounducts in a 20 second time frame! :o Maybe he’ll cuss out his teammates in Finnish after the game. :D
Hiller may have a vertigo reaccurance after seeing 50+ SOG tonight.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Nov 5, 2011 10:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on On the Forecheck
Related FanShots on On the Forecheck
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
About OTF
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats & analysis, and managing editor of On the Forecheck.
Follow @Forechecker
Got a question, a suggestion, or are interested in advertising here to reach thousands of Nashville Predators fans? Feel free to email the.forechecker@gmail.com.
Featured Stories
Are you new here? Read this first!
Check us out on iTunes!
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
- Adam Henrique sends New Jersey Devils to Stanley Cup Final with OT goal vs. Rangers (VIDEO)
