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Nashville Predators 1, St. Louis Blues 2: Tarasenko Sinks Preds Late

Posted on by Alex Daugherty

The Predators lose yet another Central Division game, this time 2-1 to the Blues. Just like Tuesday, the Preds started out with an early 1-0 lead, but couldn’t muster any offense thereafter. Vladimir Tarasenko scored a late power-play goal to win it for St. Louis.

Unlike Tuesday, the Preds get 0 points out of this one.

To add to the frustration, Nashville wasn’t the usual Corsi machine tonight, as they opted to play a more physical, defensive game, hoping to smother the Blues offensive weapons. They did a decent job of that, but being out-shot and out-chanced by the Blues isn’t going to win you many games. This was just another shade of frustration tonight. Not enough pucks getting to the net, not enough stout defensive play, and some inconsistent special teams.

Roman Josi scored for the Predators, while David Backes and Tarasenko scored for the Blues.

Random Observations

  • Future All-Star Roman Josi leads the way on the power-play, giving the Preds the early lead. Some very impressive power-play work against the toughest penalty-kill in the league, taking advantage of a broken Blues stick. Preds also finally score against Jake Allen. Good start in this one. (psst… we said that on Tuesday)
  • That was one crazy scrum in front of Rinne. Ryan Ellis was down on the ice and got hit by about 40 sticks. It looked like that horrific beach scene from Lord Of The Flies. I swear I heard someone shout “Kill the Beast!!”
  • Approaching the mid-way point of the game, the Preds aren’t blowing you away with chances, but they are very physical at both ends. Also, the offensive scheme is tapered somewhat. The Preds aren’t committing as many skaters into the rush on breakouts, knowing that the Blues can pack a dangerous counter-punch. The defensemen (with the exception of Josi) seem more willing to play behind the blue-line to control the neutral zone. Plus there are fewer numbers on the boards, it looks like. Guys like Jarnkrok, Forsberg, Sissons, and Arvidsson have done a decent job fighting for the puck there. Still no one in front of the net though.
  • In other words, the Preds are Trotz-ing the hell out of this game and trying make it a very boring attempt at 2 points. I’d rather get 2 points the boring way than 0 points the exciting way.
  • David Backes scores his 10th of the year while at 4-on-4. Deflected a Pietrangelo shot from the blue line past Rinne at a really tough angle. Preds looked like they were on a PK still. Better go ahead and check the lug nuts on those wheels, because they may be about to come off.
  • Such a different game from the last Blues contest. Preds are struggling to get many offensive chances and seem more eager to get back to play defense. Hard to be mad at the latter, of course.
  • Late in the 3rd, the Preds waste a power-play opportunity, followed by the Blues getting a power-play on a trip by Arvidsson. Hmm. I think I’ve seen this episode before.
  • Yes. Yes, I definitely have. This is the one where Tarasenko scores with 5 minutes left in the 3rd and the Predators blow yet another lead with very little chance at a comeback. Who DVR’d this?
  • Some crazy extra-skater action late, but nothing doing. Losers again. /

OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Game

  • Roman Josi: the best player for the Preds, yet again. All-Star selection soon to come.
  • Filip Forsberg: great pass to set up the Josi goal.
  • Pekka Rinne: played decent, probably one of his better games recently. But couldn’t stop Tarasenko’s laser when he needed to.

Tweets of the Night

Boxscore – Game Summary – Event Summary – War-on-Ice – HockeyStats – Natural Stat Trick

Roll the video highlights…


Talking Points