Monday’s Dump & Chase: Striking Distance
The Predators are suddenly more than alive in the Western Conference playoff race.
Weekend College Hockey Review
In all honesty, every other series this weekend was dwarfed by the enormous series in the NCHC between #1 North Dakota and #6 Denver. Played in North Dakota, the Fighting Hawks defended their home rink, taking both games. They were excellent on defense and goaltending, only allowing one goal each game to a very potent Denver Pioneer offense. North Dakota’s 4-1 and 3-1 wins prove not that Denver is a poor team, but just how far ahead Grant Mishmash’s team is from everyone else.
However, other teams obviously still played, and perhaps no team had a bigger weekend in terms of importance to schedule than #16 Bemidji State. With 5-1 and 5-0 wins over #19 Northern Michigan in a huge WCHA conference showdown, the Beavers of Bemidji reassured those who voted for them that they are good enough to be in the NCAA tournament. Now their task is maintaining their great form and hoping some teams ahead of them falter in case a conference champion ranked lower than Bemidji takes away one of those coveted NCAA tournament spots.
Bobby’s Top-Four Rankings:
- North Dakota
- Minnesota State
- Cornell
- Clarkson
Nashville Predators News
Nashville Predators 2, St. Louis Blues 1: Winning the Weekend
Don’t look now, those rooting for the Predators to sell at the deadline: the Predators are 7-3-0 in their last ten games. Moreover, they sit with three games in hand on the next team ahead of them, the Calgary Flames, and only trail them by one point. They’re suddenly one of the hottest teams in the league.
One point back from wild card, three games in hand for the #preds pic.twitter.com/EYFWJiaKpW
— Bobby Misey (@Bmisey) February 17, 2020
Blues lose 2-1 in Nashville on late goal by Turris
A view from the St. Louis side of the weekend. I had no idea that yesterday was Jordan Binnington’s first start in Nashville. You’d have though he would have had more than a few opportunities given how often divisional opponents play each other.
Around Hockey
Minnesota’s Surge Continues; Penn State Keeps Pace
In the Big Ten, Golden Gopher head coach Bob Motzka’s project in Minnesota has taken off at a much faster pace than that of his counterpart at Wisconsin, Tony Granato. Then again, Motzka built a wagon of a program at St. Cloud State before taking the helm of the hardest job in college hockey.
[Evander] Kane criticizes NHL player safety after suspension
Not to be outdone by Cody Bellinger going off on the Houston Astros, San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, upon being suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety, unleashed a wave of fury on his Twitter. Boy was it great:
MY STATEMENT: pic.twitter.com/taoALpVmvn
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) February 15, 2020
But this doesn’t get anything?? Tell me what this difference is please! https://t.co/MSw50eIENa
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) February 15, 2020
But I thought this was a 1 game playoff suspension??? No? https://t.co/v6NCUqquGI
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) February 15, 2020
Rebuild 2.0 Has Begun: Devils Trade Blake Coleman to Tampa for Nolan Foote and a 1st
Our friend @CJTDevil breaks down one of the two major trades happening yesterday. Spoiler alert: it is a huge seller’s market right now.
New Jersey Devils Trade Captain Andy Greene to the New York Islanders for David Quenneville and a 2021 2nd Round Pick
The other trade also involved the New Jersey Devils as they systematically remove everyone from their organization, from GM to coach to captain, over the course of three months.
NHL forgets fans are the point with disastrous Stadium Series
The emphasis here should be “partly.” Thousands of fans failed to arrive at the game until the start of the third period. Maybe the NHL shouldn’t play games places that are hard to get to? When’s the outdoor game at the Space Forces academy?
Eric Lindros sets record straight on decision to not play for Quebec | Home Team Heroes
The original Jimmy Vesey/Eli Manning tries to explain himself.
Surging Bruins earn win over Rangers
This game involved the greatest giving of the hockey gods I’ve ever seen:
Instant karma for Brad Marchand. pic.twitter.com/5ynQj2p4W0
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) February 16, 2020
Now if you can’t have a great Monday after watching that clip, I really can’t help you.