Most of the games this season for the team in gold have been less than enthralling. They’ve been tedious snooze fests that more often than not end with a crooked number on the board for the bad guys. It’s why these last two wins have been so incredible.
The crowd holds their breath with every shot, creeps to the edge of their seat every time one of their players gets into the offensive zone. Against the Kings, the Nashville Predators looked to give the game away, only to smack logic in the face and take the lead back in style. Tonight’s game was more of the same.
The Detroit Red Wings (and their entourage of HBO cameramen) came to play to night with only three wins in their last 10 games. It didn’t matter, though, as these former division rivals always seem to pull out all the stop when matching wits. It continued tonight.
From the second the puck dropped, goals were being traded left and right. The Predators had three different two-goal leads, only to see Detroit answer back three different times. Goalies were irrelevant tonight. Playing defense was optional. Nine different Predators had their names inked onto the score card, and in the end Nashville prevailed to send the Wings into the Winter Classic with their heads hanging. Body language!
Random Observations
- I’m a big fan of Predators Hulking out recently. Last game it was Mike Fisher, this game is was Colin Wilson, though don’t sleep on Fish’s Gordie Howe Hat Trick. #33 was on from the drop of the puck, was skating like he owned the place and it showed up on the score sheet. Two goals, an assist, six shots, in 13:59 of ice time. His 63.6 CF% shouldn’t be overlooked, either. The Predators need him to play with that much energy every night.
- There was absolutely nothing Marek Mazanec could do on that Justin Abdelkader goal. That shot was dirtier than a box of old porn magazines buried in a landfill. Mercy me.
- Can somebody get some velcro or sticky tape for his goalie stick, though?
- Craig Smith and Nick Spaling scored almost identical goals, and they were scored on the rush by carrying the puck into the zone. Gee, can you imagine what would happen if they did that more?
- Dirk raised a question about Spals before the season, asking if this would be one of utility or futility. So far, it’s the former. He’s been a good presence for whatever line he is on, and is even contributing on the power play, which I would have never expected. He’s already matched his point output (13) from 47 games last year, and is poised to break his career mark of 10 goals. He’s an RFA at the end of this season, and there are more pressing matters at hand, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him back next year.
- Shhh. Everyone just sit and appreciate that sublime play then pass by Seth Jones to set up Wilson’s second goal. What. A. Beaut.
- Pavel Datsyuk is a wizard. Always and forever. It’s a shame we only play these games twice a year now.
- David Legwand getting startled by a flying catfish dot gif.
These 6-5 wild west shootout games aren’t going to come along very often for the Preds. However, they have been playing with more pep in their step the last couple of games. They certainly ended a tumultuous year with a bang, and I certainly hope there is plenty more of that style of play in 2014. The next time they suit up will be in Boston in a brand new calendar year. We here at OTF want to wish you a Happy New Year. Be safe, we’ll see you in 2014!
Boxscore – Game Summary – Event Summary
Roll the video highlights…