Flyers 4, Predators 1: Simmonds runs wild
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 2, 2012 10:05 PM EST
in Nashville Predators Game Recaps
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PrintWayne Simmonds scored twice (on 10 shots!) as the Nashville Predators' five-game winning streak came to a close tonight in a 4-1 loss at Philadelphia. Anders Lindback saw his record sink to 2-6 as he got the start in place of Pekka Rinne, but his play wasn't the problem for the Preds. Instead, a rough-and-tumble second period seemed to turn the tide...
Listen in for the radio highlights from 102.5 The Game:
Predators Flyers highlights 2012-02-02
Video highlights and post-game reaction from this one follow after the jump:
Cue the video (might take 30-45 minutes post-game to work):
Your random observations:
- The Predators certainly got off to a better start than they did against Minnesota, generating good pressure at times and out-shooting the Flyers 12-6 in the first period.
- That play didn't carry over to the second, however, as the tables were turned 11-4 in favor of Philadelphia, including more than six minutes of power play time that went without a shot on goal. Things got chippy between both teams, and that seemed to just play into the Flyers' hands.
- It was interesting to see Ryan Suter get the Preds on the board midway through the 3rd period as he jumped into a rush. It seemed like he was extra-assertive tonight in the offensive zone... trying to impress the Flyers front office, perhaps?
- Anders Lindback played well in what seemed an odd choice for a start. With a very typical Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule this week and next, and having just come off the All-Star break, you wouldn't think that Pekka Rinne would need a night's rest.
- By my count, this was Lindback's 6th start of the season, and since his first (11/8 vs. Los Angeles), the Preds haven't scored more than 2 goals in front of him. Those are tough odds to overcome.
- Sergei Kostitsyn took 3 shots on goal, I assume he'll need a few days off to recover. :)
- Outside of getting his pocket picked at the point by Matt Read for Philly's 2nd goal (which I missed live due to the FS-TN hiccup), I thought Kevin Klein played pretty well tonight. There were a couple occasions where he had to battle guys all the way down the ice, and did so without drawing penalties or giving up a scoring chance.
- All in all? There's no shame in losing to a team like Philadelphia, especially after a 5-game winning streak. Chalk it up to another tough night in the NHL and focus on the big matchup coming with St. Louis on Saturday.
- Special thanks go to those who popped over to join an impromptu Game Thread over on the OTF Facebook Page, SB Nation was having technical issues tonight so it was great to see folks gather together anyway!
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Anyone who thinks we will make a deep playoff run with just this group of guys
Should seriously think about what just happened. We need a consistent goal scorer. The key word being CONSISTENT! This might be a slight rant, and going crazy over one loss, but this is exactly why we need a guy with real offensive talent. Their D was almost completely shutting us down, while they had one guy (Simmons) who consistently made plays all night. At this point, I know it wasn’t all Lindy’s fault, but I’d be willing to part with him, Blum, and a draft pick to pull someone like Ryan in. The whole game just looked almost pathetic from the point of the Preds. I made the comment several times that I felt like the Flyers were playing the Vanderbilt Junior Varsity Kittens. We were making sloppy cross ice passes, and half of the opportunities we got went off the post and the others just went wide.
I thought we started shooting the puck way too late, when we needed to start getting traffic to the net from the get-go. Bryz was giving up some nice rebounds if we could have gotten down to them and driven them home.
One light note is that I thought Smith’s play was really good tonight. He had one of the before mentioned dings off the post, and the disallowed goal. He (along with the rest of the team) needs to practice his accuracy a bit and he will be great. He also fed a beautiful pass to Suter of all people to get the lone goal.
All in all, I think we were getting a bit cocky after the All-star break. The win against the Wild didn’t help any, because it reinforced the stereotype to the team that they can play sloppy for 50 minutes then give a late game push and win. I think this loss was good for us as a team. It will bring us back down to earth, and get us working harder and better. This one hurts, and it should, but it will make us better as a whole.
Bring in a scorer, and we’ll be fine, along with a solid 2nd or 3rd pair D man.
(Yes, I did calm down quite a bit during the writing of this post)
They played great in the first, but didn’t get back into the game until about the half-way mark of the 3rd. We need to get back to playing a full 60 minutes.
by Preds of State on Feb 2, 2012 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
Badger was getting screwed over all night
although the call on his un-goal was definitely the right call
*drinks Baileys from a shoe*
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
"I do watercolors."
*This post delivered behind enemy lines
- Preds fan trapped in Detroit
by Daniel Rogers on Feb 3, 2012 12:58 PM EST up reply actions
No Doubt
Now you know why Suter and Weber want some help now! In fairness they’re not the same team without Pekka in net BUT both the Flyers and Rangers pushed us around like a lower level team period. Why wasn’t Yip playing after he scores a goal and a assist the other night?
Jeez maybe Trotz and DP are smoking something – we see the lack of forward depth against deeper more physical teams. Hey Poile – Suter is out of here unless you pull the trigger soon.
I know you guys love Smithson and others but unless we add a big body that can grind in the playoffs were one and done.
by virgil trucks on Feb 2, 2012 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
This game and all games with lindy in net this season are classic midweek let downs not having your ACE out there. Just like a baseball game with a crap starter going. There’s just no confidence there. They end up playing flat. Its not Anders fault but I’d feel like I was playing uphill with a goalie who only plays once a month. Not worried on this one
by Oh my Goc! on Feb 3, 2012 11:01 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
A lot of you guys seriously need to calm down.
One game does not a season make. One game does not define the team. Yip is going to be getting intermittent ice time until Trotz figures out what he wants to do with him. He’s not smoking anything; he’s thinking things through. Suter isn’t making up his mind tomorrow or on the basis of one game.
There are 30 games left in this season. Chill out.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
" I saw it, I called it, I still don't believe it!"--Pete Weber
And besides, this game wasn’t half bad. Could have tipped either way. We missed our chances on the PP, but thats a pretty good two-game set against a very good team. My takeaway was we’re not that far away. Entertaining game for a Preds game. Good pace. Hope we start like that tonight.
by el pucko on Feb 4, 2012 1:26 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Well said, Yoda-Clare.
One game does not a season make.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Writing can be cathartic that way :)
(Yes, I did calm down quite a bit during the writing of this post)
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
I think I just forgot what it felt like to lose. Haha.
It was bound to happen eventually. Better it be an Eastern Conference team than a West.
by Preds of State on Feb 2, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed.
*This post delivered behind enemy lines
- Preds fan trapped in Detroit
by Daniel Rogers on Feb 3, 2012 1:32 AM EST up reply actions
OMG seriously? Because we don’t score 4-5 goals in one freaking game, you are saying we don’t have a consistent goal-scorer? You do realize that we are 9th IN THE ENTIRE NHL in goal scoring (4th in the West).
Quit acting like we don’t have a good group of forwards. It is off-base.
I think the issue is, that we’ve seen Nashville teams that were clicking in the regular season fizzle out in the playoffs because of scoring. Our Preds make points by committee when they hustle and outwork their opponents throughout the year. It’s amazing to watch, honestly.
BUT, when the playoffs come along, every team is hustling. The edge that comes from hard work decreases a great deal. In the playoffs, you need a skilled and creative scorer. Someone with a penchant for slipping into the scoring area and getting the job done. I have more faith this year that the Preds could make some waves in the playoffs, but that need for a premier goal scorer still looms large. I’m not predicting doomsday if we don’t pick anyone up, but it will be an uphill battle.
*This post delivered behind enemy lines
- Preds fan trapped in Detroit
by Daniel Rogers on Feb 3, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Did you forget we beat the Flyers here at home? I suppose that was because they were so sorry that night that we just lucked out? Simmonds did average the last we played them. He just had a good night, like a lot of players do. It will likely be another ten games before he has another one. And a question. Where does one find a ‘consistent’ scorer? How many people are consistent over a long period at anything they do? I agree that we could use another scorer, but whether whoever we might get would be consistent over the long haul is debatable.What we need is up our goonieness factor and start hammering the opponents the way the Flyers do.
"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles
Lighten up Francis.
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 Feb 3, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
This just made my night
Sergei Kostitsyn took 3 shots on goal, I assume he’ll need a few days off to recover. :)
Thanks for the laugh!
by ILovethe#6CannonFire on Feb 2, 2012 10:09 PM EST reply actions
I was about to post the same thing, haha.
Of course he will need tomorrow to recover!! Thank god we aren’t playing!
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Same as against the Rangers
out-physicaled.
The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
Exactly
Thank God we wont be move to the East. We do not play Goon hockey very well. Until we get a big body forward who can score physical teams will just knock us around.
See: Bruins game.
That one scares me a little. Boston is a ROUGH team.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
And yet Carolina just swept their season series with the Bruins 4-0. Go figure.
The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
by shoot the puck on Feb 2, 2012 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think that was a big part of the reason for the loss. The Flyers are goons and they never ever play finesse hockey. Coach should have known that. Why he didn’t play Yip is a mystery to me. And to top it off, I had to sit and read annoying text messages from my son in PA who is a Flyer fan! lol He did say the Flyer press gave big love to the Preds after the game.
"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles
Once a Goon...
I grew up outside of Philly. Watched them in the 70’s before we moved to TN, Even saw Crispy Play a few games. They play there best Hockey when they Check the crap out of the other team and get under their skin on home ice. They got away from that for a few years but its looks like they are back to their old tricks. Not quit the Broad Street Bullies but definitely a physical team.
Not sure what you’re on about- I’ve been following the Flyers for years and this may be one of their softer teams. They are one of the best road teams in the league this year, but are barely above .500 at home…
goldomatic, who is King in the art of wishful thinking
Yeah, the Flyers have some tough players (Rinaldo, Sestito, Simmonds), but they have a lot of skill in that lineup as well. Simmonds is as good as any of our forwards and he’s on the Flyers 3rd line! Yup, we still need improvement up front.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Feb 4, 2012 1:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
We’ve been happy with Simmond’s play this year. Tostitos and Rinaldo are spot players- they wouldn’t have been in the lineup if Briere and JVR had concussions. But they are tough customers. I wouldn’t mind seeing them play against at team like Boston, who wins games by intimidation alone.
There’s been talk of Suter or Weber being traded to PHI, which I don’t support. We’d have to give up a lot, probably JVR and another forward, and that price isn’t what we can afford. It would become a zero-sum thing, and that isn’t what either team needs right now to have a better chance at the cup, IMO.
goldomatic, who is King in the art of wishful thinking
It only makes sense for the Preds if they know Suter will leave this summer, which means the organization didn’t do enough to make him want to stay here, as it’s not a money situation that will make him want to leave. If that’s the case, the Flyers would be better off hanging unto their kids like JVR, Couturier and Schenn and waiting till the summer to try and Sign Suter.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Feb 4, 2012 2:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Mo-town and Chi-town are both winning.
I hate everything.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
I'm currently re-positioning my missiles
(just kidding homeland security…)
by Preds of State on Feb 2, 2012 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
Detroit in another shootout. 6 of their last 8 wins were shootout wins.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
I bet that fact gets mysteriously hidden by the NHL and analysts later, don’t you?
TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....
Probably.
They are on a tear, but for the most part it has been OT and SO wins.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
If that's the case, they shouldn't see too much success in the playoffs...
Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
Er, Lindback's played a few games since 11/8.
A lot in December and the January Rangers game (which was eerily similar to tonight’s game).
I think he was saying 11/8 was his 1st and he’s played 6 since then.
by ILovethe#6CannonFire on Feb 2, 2012 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
When in trouble or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
" I saw it, I called it, I still don't believe it!"--Pete Weber
by CAustin on Feb 2, 2012 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Be sure to shout things about us needing to trade people, Poile not understanding anything and one, or more, of our stars leaving.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Feb 3, 2012 2:25 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
And Trotz benching people for trying to score. That’s my favorite.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
" I saw it, I called it, I still don't believe it!"--Pete Weber
Lousy D, and an uneventful offense made that game pretty disappointing. Really can’t blame Lindback for any of the goals tonight. It was bound to happen, but seeing the Preds barely get lucky the other night and just not show up tonight, still hurts. I’ll be at the next 3 home games, and I really hope they show up for those.
by Erik Richard Unger on Feb 2, 2012 10:47 PM EST reply actions
This.
“All in all? There’s no shame in losing to a team like Philadelphia, especially after a 5-game winning streak. Chalk it up to another tough night in the NHL and focus on the big matchup coming with St. Louis on Saturday.”
Here’s to hoping there aren’t as many Blues fans as the last time they were in town…
Honestly
this was a 50-50 chance for 2 points anyway, and everyone ought to have been aware that the Preds were going to lose eventually. It’s the NHL. Everyone loses sometimes. So they’ll be hungry to win against St Louis, when the stakes are even higher.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
" I saw it, I called it, I still don't believe it!"--Pete Weber
McGrattan should've really been in tonight.
Why aren’t we playing him in games like this? Especially with the kerfluffle in the 2nd?
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
Chicago loses 8-4...
Perhaps Nashville should trade for an available 2nd pair defenseman before Chicago trades for all of them?
In the name of the Pekka, the Rinne, and the Holy Octopus. Amen.
Gagner had 8 points!
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Feb 3, 2012 1:28 AM EST up reply actions
Dream on
Like Chicago is going to give up their best player who is under contract until 2015 for a rental d-man.
The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
by shoot the puck on Feb 3, 2012 5:10 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, trading to division rivals that are in the same race as you to win is a pipe-dream at best. Columbus would be the only one we might trade with right now.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
It was a joke.
I would like to dream about it though. You know they are in panic mode in Chicago.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
Guess I should have added the obligatory LOL or j/k? That kind of takes away some of the humor for me though.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
Lindback was not stellar last night but....
Our D, especially Klein and Suter really struggled. Klein was completely owned on the Read goal. He struggled against the Wild as well. Typical Klein of old. Plays a very good game with the exception of a couple of brain farts which typically lead to goals against.
Suter was out played by Simmonds on the first goal and had no idea Simmonds was behind him on the third (PP) goal. He also looked very lacksadaisacal in the Wild game on Tuesday, especially in the first 50 minutes of the game. Is he distracted by all of this contract/trade talk? Makes you wonder.
You can't say it's "typical Klein"
Take a look at our struggles when he was out of the line-up…. Can’t say he’s a negative on this team.
Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
by Klein(er) on Feb 3, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
some people here blame klein for everything. he did have a nice game excluding the big turnover he had leading to a breakaway goal for philly. i like that gopreds00 gave him some props and mentioned he does only have temporary lapses/brain farts.
i am usually one to comment on suter issues. he did have a tough defensive game, but his hustle to get where he did for his goal was nice.
don't hate the 8
I’m not a Klein basher by any means, but that turnover to Reid was something you see in High School games. Just can’t get pick pocketed like that.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Feb 4, 2012 1:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Quick Question On smithsons Penalty
It looked to me like he was getting in position to play the puck, like players usually do to play the puck along the boards. I did not get a really good look at it, Pete and Terry seemed ok with it (so I am not questioning the call). Can someone explain the difference between this and the normal board play?
Basically, Smithson played the body before the puck had reached the player. It was kind of an iffy penalty, because the puck sort of took this weird slow roll causing Smitty to get there before the puck, but it was still a penalty. Happens, I guess.
There's only two kinds of teams in the NHL: Predators and prey.
So when
Two players are going for the puck (say after the puck has been dumped in) and one player makes body contact with the other prior to playing the puck this could be a penalty call?
Yeah, they’ll call it interference anytime a player prevents another player from being able to play the puck. Mild body contact can be made I think, as long as neither player actually prevents the other one from being able to play the puck. Smithson miscalculated the speed of the puck and checked the other guy into the wall before he played the puck. It’s a penalty I’ll throw my hands up and scream “REALLY, REFS?!?” but deep down inside I know it’s legit. :)
There's only two kinds of teams in the NHL: Predators and prey.
This game, or for the whole season?
If you’re talking whole season… geez, I don’t even know. He usually hits, what, at LEAST one per game?? He’d probably have 15-20 more goals than he already has right now. At least he’s shooting the puck, though. Eventually they’ll start going in.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Hmmm, was SB Nation down last night?
Couldn’t log on to the site last night. Anyhow, some quick thoughts on the game…….
Lindback must have had his lucky gummie bears in his pocket because that could have easily been 3 or 4-0 after the 1st period with some of the near misses the Flyers had. Lindy did make a big save in the 3rd period to keep the score close, but he looked really shaky for the most part. Tough when you don’t get to play much.
We went up against a really good team that, let’s face it, is more talented than we are. Interesting that we were talking about Bobby Ryan yesterday, because I found myself thinking during that game that he’s just the type of player we could use when playing a team like Philly. We competed pretty hard I thought, but we lack that guy up front who can create space in the offensive zone either by using his body to create room or by having a high end skill level to open things up. Ryan has both of them. Doubt the Ducks move him though.
Flyers did a really good job of clogging up the passing and shooting lanes last night. Thought we cycled the puck pretty well, but they just didn’t give us room to create things offensively. Laviolette must have been irate when, with a 2 goal lead, he had players missing the net on 3 on 2 breaks, which always leads to a 3 on 2 going the other way, which is how we scored our lone goal.
The officiating was pretty bad for both sides last night. Some real phantom calls were made and some obvious penalties were missed.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Feb 3, 2012 11:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions
we lack that guy up front who can create space in the offensive zone either by using his body to create room or by having a high end skill level to open things up. Ryan has both of them.
So does Wilson.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
At times he does, but he’s no Ryan just yet. Besides, two players like that would be nice, don’t you think?
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Feb 3, 2012 3:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
love Willy, but not sure I’d use those two in the same sentence just yet
by el pucko on Feb 3, 2012 3:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
SBN was having MAJOR issues on Thursday.
Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-
Borque
time for the guy to head back to Milwaukee. He’s fizzled out of late, and with the Yip pickup Yipper is a better start.
hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. not famous. nerd.
It's time to trade Sutter
Did anyone see the game last night? Sutter was a stick in the mud. He was undressed a couple of times by Simmonds. Sutter is distracted right now and I do not believe he is happy in Smashville. You can see it written all over his face. After last night’s performance, Poile needs to man up and trade Sutter for a goal scorrer. We won’t make the second round with Sutter playing like he did last night and without a goal scorrer. Good ridance Sutter!!!
Sutter plays for the Hurricanes.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
before you go on a 13-year-old temper-tantrum rant
try to get the player’s name correct. it’s the least you can do. I mean, you’re not trying to spell Kostitsyn or Krivokrasov or Kimmo Timmonen. It’s Suter. 1 T. There are a lot of Sutters in the NHL. Only 1 Suter.
And by the way, total overreaction about last nights game.
hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. not famous. nerd.
You're writing Suter off for one rough game?
The things Suter has said recently tend to indicate he does like it here – he just wants to see the commitment from ownership to winning a cup. I don’t think the whipping we were dealt last night would put a smile on anyone’s face, but Suter is an elite talent in this league.
It would be nothing less than a crying shame if we harbored this attitude about Suter. He’s got my support for as long as he is a Pred.
- History will be made. Our time is MEOW. -
by Smashville HockeyCat on Feb 3, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
+1
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Feb 3, 2012 3:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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