Predators 3, Islanders 1: Big first period gives Preds matinée win
by Marc Torrence on Jan 16, 2012 3:40 PM EST
in Nashville Predators Game Recaps
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PrintThe Predators struck early and often en route to a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders in a rare weekday afternoon game.
Sergei Kostitsyn, Matt Halischuk and David Legwand all scored for Nashville and Pekka Rinne made 36 saves on 37 shots to get the win. The Predators continued their hot streak and have won eight games in their last nine tries.
The early start should benefit the Predators, as they'll be able to get a little bit of a rest before turning around for a primetime game against the New York Rangers tomorrow night on national TV.
Video highlights and post-game reaction from today's win after the jump:
Video Highlights: (might take 30-45 minutes to show up)
Your random observations:
- There was a little bit of apprehension in pre-game when it was announced that Ryan Suter would be a game-time decision, but most of that quickly evaporated when the Predators put together one of the best first periods they've played of the year.
- Kostitsyn gave Dirk fits yet again, going one-for-one shooting in the first (he didn't register a shot on goal the rest of the game). But what a snipe. Sergei has got a laser for a shot, it's just a question of how often he wants to use it.
- And how about Matt Halishcuk? Say what you want about the guy, but he's a hard worker who goes to the net and is near the top of the Preds' scoring list this season because of it.
- If there was ever a time to use the phrase "tic tac toe" to describe a goal, it was that Wilson-Erat-Legwand play. Those three get criticized for trying to make pretty plays, but it paid off there.
- I've already used tic-tac-toe and made a Kostitsyn shooting percentage joke, so the cliche threshold has been crossed and I can say this: that 5-on-3 the Predators killed in the second was a defining moment in the game. The Islanders took their timeout and had over a minute of the two-man advantage but came away with nothing to show.
- The Islanders kept up the pressure and got a lot of good chances, especially after it was announced that Suter wouldn't return, but Rinne came through, stopping 19 shots in the second, and keeping the lead at three.
- It was also great to see the Predators ratchet up the defensive pressure in the third period. The Islanders did eventually erase the shutout, but there weren't that many quality scoring chances until the goalie was pulled and it was too late.
- Two things to keep an eye on for tomorrow's game will be the status of Ryan Suter (obviously) and who goes in net for Nashville tomorrow. Lindback would be the obvious choice considering the back-to-back, but this coaching staff has done stranger things. Besides, what better way to showcase your star goaltender than with a game on national TV against an original six team?
Box Score - Game Summary - Event Summary - Corsi Numbers - Shots On Goal Chart
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NBC Sports (the artist formerly known as VS)
Twitter: @OTFMarc: (NHL)
@MarcTorrence: (everything else).
by Marc Torrence on Jan 16, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
True, but he annoys the ever living sh*t out of me in general.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEMzM8JNW-U&feature=related
"Life is but a knife blade, anyways. Sooner or later you slip and get cut." Charlie Goodnight from Streets of Laredo by Larry McMurtry.
by vols7381 on Jan 16, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
SK74 just makes me laugh with his cherry picking now.
Maybe he’s going for 50+% shooting on the season?
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
We kicked their A$$E$
Nothing to see here. Kostitsyn is heating up. So is Pekka.
NYR are next.
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 Jan 16, 2012 3:54 PM EST reply actions
pekka's stats...
now is 2.50 GAA and a .922 sv %….could he make another run for the vezina if he keeps it up?
he's finding his stride atm
don’t want to jinx it but he’s looking "fang"tastic
by Herzausstein on Jan 16, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
i'm thinking he will with Lindback going against the much more inept Bluejackets
by Herzausstein on Jan 16, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
poor BJ's
they are the only team in the league that still hasn’t made it to 30 points
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
the closest team to them is anaheim which is about 8 pts infront of them...
by Herzausstein on Jan 16, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
For a very long time, ANA was staying just one point ahead of them. Bummed that they started winning.
but I’m sure glad that Anaheim beat the ’Nucks last game
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
well...i hope Lindy is on his A-game
he’s good when he’s on his a game
by Herzausstein on Jan 16, 2012 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
I sure hope Suter will be a go
we need him patrolling in front of Lindy.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
coaching decision
Do you think the coaches sort of “gave up” against the Rangers? Having Rinne play against the Isles to “guarantee” a win, and not expecting to beat the Rangers? I just think it’s odd that on a back-to-back, you’d put your star goalie out against the “weaker” team.
TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....
I hate that Dallas is depleted right now
because we could sure use them doing us a favor against the Blues today and the Wings tomorrow.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:03 PM EST reply actions
According to Drew Rose on Twitter, Suter is doubtful tomorrow.
"Life is but a knife blade, anyways. Sooner or later you slip and get cut." Charlie Goodnight from Streets of Laredo by Larry McMurtry.
Meh. He’s definitely #7 right now.
"Life is but a knife blade, anyways. Sooner or later you slip and get cut." Charlie Goodnight from Streets of Laredo by Larry McMurtry.
I think he's playing smarter than Bouillon
he’s not quite as tough, but his coverage doesn’t lapse as much and he doesn’t seem to make as many bad turnovers as Franky
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
I also concur. Cube didn’t work out that well with Weber, IMO.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Preds are lucky to have a depth defenseman of Hillen's quality...
After sitting for 4 games Hillen came into the line up eventually replacing a lot of Suter’s minutes and the Defense didn’t miss a beat, as he played at a high level alongside mostly Ellis and Weber (on the PK). If you look at the other side of the ice you see an Islanders team that is struggling to find ANY good defensemen. After Streit, Hamonic and MacDonald, the rest of their D really suck. I think Hillen is lucky to have escaped that gong show. Another one of Snow’s miscalculations.
D
ellis a +3, klein led toi, and the preds killed a 5-on-3.
I argue
that Klein and Spaling were equally important on that 5 on 3 kill.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Klein led in TOI
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
the final sign the apocalypse is near!
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Jan 16, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
final sign of the apocalypse
if he ever gets first star
he was a star that one night on NHL.com……
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Jan 16, 2012 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't realize it at the time
but I’m reading on the Post-Game Musings that Weber, Klein, and Spaling were all 3 out on the ice for the whole 5 on 3 PK. 70 seconds of it. Talk about a long shift.
in the TOI report during that PK (1st penalty at 8:33, 2nd at 9:23):
-Weber played a 1:53 shift from 9:04 to 10:57
-Klein did 31 sec on the 1st PK (8:33 – 9:04) then came back on to replace Hillen for the 5 on 3 for 1:34 more (9:23 – 10:57)
-Spaling played the exact same shifts as Klein on that PK (8:33 – 9:04 & 9:23 – 10:57)
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m impressed.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
Klein is playing the best hockey of his career. He has really turned it on over the last 12-15 games.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
you should become his agent
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Jan 16, 2012 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
What do you mean ‘should’?
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
I am serious and don’t call me Shirley
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Jan 17, 2012 1:24 AM EST up reply actions
The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 1:49 AM EST up reply actions
Proteautype Adam Proteau
Another win for the Preds, who are starting to show signs of serious-Stanley-Cup-contender-like symptoms.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
they're now 8th in the league
and 4th in the Central Division. Parity they say?
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
Boys are playing well. Proteau is right with this one
If we beat the Rangers tomorrow, we are doing just fine.
by TootooReigns on Jan 16, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Haters always gonna hate.........
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 Jan 16, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
are we still talking needing a Left Winger
or are we at a spot where we can take any forward? and who sits? I know that for many games McG will sit, but if Smithson comes back, do we send Bourque back down? I think Halischuk keeps earning his roster spot. and as much as I would have liked to sit SK74, he has gotten hot. Even when Horny isn’t on the score sheet, he is screening at the net. It seems that Bourque is the odd man out. He’ll get his chance to be up here for good sooner or later.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
There will always be injuries, so Bourque can still help the team when they happen.
A winger would be my preference, but really any good forward who fits relatively well with our system would do. Who we trade for is really a two-fold question in that there’s the helping us to win part of it, but also, is it an elite enough player that would show our two soon to be free agents that we’re serious about being a Cup contender? I’m leaning towards a certain player in Colorado right now (if the Avs fall out of playoff contention, which looks very possible). :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 17, 2012 1:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I imagine you’re not thinking Ryan O’Reilly, as he may have ill will towards the Preds after we shipped Cal off. We would want Landeskog or Duchene, but Colorado isn’t letting them go (besides, Duchene is injured, right?) You might want Paul Stastny; as a center, he’s probably easier to fit in than another right winger, although for Milan Hejduk we could probably get Erat to play left wing.
I don’t know much about Hejduk except that he’s a veteran who’s had some great years. Don’t know much about Stastny either except that the guys who did the colorado recap after the last game were complaining about his 6.5 mil salary and lack of production.
Who do you think the Preds should go after from Colorado?
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 2:03 AM EST up reply actions
after looking it up
Milan Hejduk really looks like a deal for a playoff run rental. He has a 3 mil cap hit, but only 2.6 mil salary. He goes to UFA next year though. He also has a NTC
Stastny’s cap hit and salary are equal at 6.6 mil, but he doesn’t go to UFA until 2014-15. If Colorado gets in a position where they need to dump salary, I think this has gotta be the guy.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 2:20 AM EST up reply actions
Hedjuk probably doesn’t want to leave the Avs, especially after being named their captain. Plus, a rental isn’t what might sway either of the big two to stick around here. The Avs aren’t trading O’Reilly, sooooo, you can guess who I’m talking about. :)
Statsny is overpaid, IMO, but he is also that type of player who can move the puck into the offensive zone and get things set up there, which is the type of player I think we most need. And being under contract for a few more years is a bonus as well. My only concern is that he might leave to play for the Blues when he becomes a UFA beings he grew up in St. Louis and his former NHL player dad still lives there. Maybe winning a Cup here would change his mind. :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 17, 2012 3:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What are the pros and cons of picking up Propsal from the CBJ’s as a rental for the rest of this year? 9g, 21a, 1.75 mil salary (+750k bonus? not sure how that works), UFA next year. The CBJ’s have no reason to hold on to him.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 2:29 AM EST up reply actions
I have been disappointed with Fisher's play for a lot of the season
but recently he’s come on too; he has 7 points in his last 5 games.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
Bah! You win the Cup with a team and this team is starting to roll. Like the way they rolled up the “Cup Contending” Flyers in between the Avs and Isles. :)
by Marcus Newman on Jan 16, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
top 10 hits
If you can, turn in to the PHX-COL game, where they’re about to show the top 10 hits of the week.
Ellis ftw!
It was over before I went to lunch!
Checked the score midway thru the 1st and it was 3-0 already……..guess the Isles slept in a little bit late today. :D
It’s a good approach to an early game like this one to go right after the other team as you can often catch that home team going at half speed in the early going. Good job by the team and coaches to come out that focused.
I wouldn’t be suprised to see Rinne back in goal tomorrow night. Playing in the afternoon today gives him some extra time to be ready for a night game tomorrow.
If you want to see where the increase in scoring from last season is (a modest increase, but an increase none the less), it’s coming from the bottom line guys like Halischuk, Tootoo and Spaling. If we can get 35 to 40 goals from those 3, that’s a big help.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 16, 2012 5:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
for sure
Our big guys last year were:
SK74 – 23g
Horny – 21g
Erat – 17g
Leggy – 17g
Weber – 16g
Wilson – 16g
The few goals fewer that SK74 is on pace for is pretty evenly distributed among the other guys. And Fisher is on pace for 15g as well. Smith is on pace for 16, even though he’s fallen off lately. But we don’t have the 19 that were split between Goc/Sully.
It seems like last year we had 5 top 6 forwards (and no top 3 forwards) and this year we have 7 top 6 forwards (and no top 3 forwards).
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
This top six forward we've been "needing" is not in need
I think the reason for this is SK74. He’s the top six guy we’ve been missing all along this season. He’s been quiet until seven games ago. It seems like the team has been completely transformed with his skill on show case these past games. If this guy shot more often, he’s a definite top 3 forward. He’s got tons of potential and I could see him scoring 35-40 goals one season if Trotz knocked some sense into him to shoot. Lately he’s been shooting “somewhat” other than today. But his presence is really helping us out. We’re going to need a lot of offense tomorrow if Lindback is playing and to beat the Rangers’ D.
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
especially if they have to do it without Suter.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
That would be great if SK74 becomes a 35-40 goal scorer (bit of reach I do believe), but that isn’t happening this season. It was only a few shorts days ago when people were wanting to trade SK afterall. He’s a decent 2nd tier scoring guy and that’s a good thing. A top 3 forward we do not have and it may be that one isn’t out there to obtain, but at least adding a top 6 guy would really solidify our team.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 16, 2012 11:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I would be delighted
if SK74 can put up 25 goals this season.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 1:14 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 17, 2012 1:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Amazing how SK's fortunes have changed in here in the last few weeks.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
Off the top of my head, I'd say it's coming from the PP.
No?
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 Jan 16, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
The drop off in 5 on 5 scoring is evened out by the better PP. Guys like the 3 I mentioned aren’t getting their goals on the PP, so without their contributions on offense, our 5 on 5 would be frightful. :o
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 16, 2012 8:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Suter
For those at the game last Saturday, Suter was crunched pretty hard in the corner by Zac Rinaldo. He turned his head and picked him up late otherwise he might have been really hurt. A bit of a cheap shot I guess but no penalty was called.
wow, you can't judge a book by it's cover
Rinaldo is a little bitty guy (5’11", 169lbs) but is 2nd in PIM in the league with lots of 5’s in his game log. I’d love to see a match between him and Big Ern.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
Why are people still ripping on Sergei? That’s three goals in three games, and six in the last seven. Perhaps he doesn’t shoot it constantly because he’s a perfectionist looking for the right opening. Which I would buy since the results seem to speak for it.
Nah, let’s just keep criticizing him while the precious savior HB has two goals in the last 28 games.
LOL
I like that post, it reminds me of………….ME!!!
Yeah, I like Sergei a lot. He’s our most skilled player IMO. The only knock on him is that he’s too “non-contact-oriented.” But I ain’t complaining, and he’s far better than HB at this stage.
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 Jan 16, 2012 7:59 PM EST up reply actions
do you think he’s more talented than Wilson?
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
No.
But I believe he is more talented than everyone on the team not named Wilson.
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 Jan 17, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmmm.....look at the rest of the year
Then, look at the number of shots he takes. I’m eating my words like everyone else right now, but he needs to shoot more. He has an awesome shot but he needs to use it and stay engaged the whole game.
I’m not eating my words. I’m eating pizza.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
and pizza is a lot more nutritious than verbage.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 1:16 AM EST up reply actions
For some reason every time I see "HB" posted on here, the first thing that goes through my head is
Half Back, not Honey Badger
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
An offensive player on an American football team carrying the ball and completing the majority of running plays.
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
If I didn't hate Buffalo before
the fact that they completely rolled over and died for the Wings tonight would really make me dislike them.
Too bad we probably can’t get them to let go of Vanek. he would be useful on the Preds.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 9:13 PM EST reply actions
and Ryan Miller is a punk #@&%!
when Miller got pulled after the 4th goal, no love to Enroth. What a diva.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
Pekka
Pekka better start tomorrow. I’m going to be so upset if Trotz started Pekka today against the lowly islanders and he chooses to start Lindy, who hasn’t started in weeks, against one of the top teams in the East and one of the only games were on national t.v. I saw his interview with NHL Live and he sounded excited to go against Lundqvist. Here’s hoping.
AND wow Ryan Miller you are having a rough season.
Predators did their part today
and Phoenix did too, kept that game from going to OT.
But Buffalo and Dallas let us down. The Central division keeps rolling…
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 16, 2012 10:16 PM EST reply actions
I’m more inclined to see the teams above us beat the one’s behind us at this point of the season. Getting into the playoffs is job #1!
Amazing that you can get on a roll like we have and still be stuck in 4th place in the division. Pretty good division we’re in.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 16, 2012 11:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Amazing how much better Anaheim has played of late since Blake got back into their lineup. Guess he’s their spark plug guy. Works good with Teemu and Saku as well.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 17, 2012 12:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
they improved when they got Saku back as well. He has only recently returned from a groin injury that he missed quite a few games from.
by Only Fan In J.C. ? on Jan 17, 2012 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
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