The Nashville Predators can put a stranglehold on this series with a win tonight at Detroit (6:30 p.m. on Sport South), but it sounds like both head coaches are doing a little tinkering to squeeze more performance out of their respective teams.
Rumor has it, for example, that the Red Wings will leverage the Tupac/Coachella technology to line up a holographic Black Jack Stewart on their blueline tonight. Talk about a way to put your financial advantage to good use…
Meanwhile, follow after the jump for your real hockey notes:
Nashville Predators News
Start off your morning with a pair of radio segments from yesterday…
Kevin Klein on 1025 2012-04-16 (mp3)
Brian Engblom on 1025 2012-04-16 (mp3)
Todd Bertuzzi is My Hero — On the Wings
Well, this is one way to assert home ice advantage.
Nashville leads Detroit 2-1…but how good is Detroit when down by that margin? | The Predatorial
Does Detroit’s recent history when down 2 games to 1 mean anything? I don’t see any reason why it should, but read on for the details.
Similarity in Swedish forwards might make the difference for Predators, Red Wings | Nashville City Paper
This series features two of the better net-front forwards in Patric Hornqvist and Tomas Holmstrom.
Nashville Predators neutralize Detroit Red Wings’ Valtteri Filppula | The Tennessean
After three games, there are a few scorers on each side who haven’t chipped in yet.
Red Wings need offensive boost from secondary scorers in crucial Game 4 vs. Nashville | MLive.com
It sounds like Mike Babcock is juggling a few forwards to try and jump-start the Detroit attack.
Nashville Predators’ Ryan Suter says he’s playing his best | The Tennessean
Suter is setting himself for a big summer, certainly.
Boclair: Suter vs. Radulov | Nashville City Paper
Given the choice, which should team ownership retain long term?
Shea Weber of Predators Is Villain to Red Wings Fans – NYTimes.com
Forget the beard, Weber should grow a handlebar mustache that he can twirl while cackling after he makes a big play.
Here’s Barry Trotz’s press conference after yesterday’s practice:
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Blues take 2-1 series lead with 4-3 win over Sharks – St. Louis Game Time
St. Louis can go for the jugular in Game 4.
Bruins 4, Capitals 3: Chara Shines as Bruins Regain Series Lead – Stanley Cup of Chowder
Boston took a 2-1 series lead thanks to a game-winner from their captain.
2012 NHL Playoffs: Rangers Take Game Three With Huge 1-0 Win Over Senators – Blueshirt Banter
Interestingly, Chris Kreider, who just signed his first pro contract about a week ago, got in the lineup for the Rangers.
Nicklas Backstrom receives match penalty for cross check, could face suspension – Capitals Insider – The Washington Post
Dumb de dumb dumb.
Craig Adams suspended one game; Dan Bylsma fined $10,000 – Broad Street Hockey
Here’s the initial fallout from Sunday’s silliness by the Penguins.
Canucks: Daniel Sedin headed to L.A. – The Globe and Mail
It’s now or never for Vancouver, so Daniel’s joining his team in Los Angeles.
If the Vancouver Canucks Fire Alain Vigneault, the Oilers Should Hire Him | Edmonton Journal
If Vancouver does cut Vigneault loose, I can’t imagine he’d be out of work long.
Sharks buzzing, Blues not, about chaos – Cross Checks Blog – ESPN
I think I prefer Ken Hitchcock’s view of things here.
Zone Shift Masters – Arctic Ice Hockey
Who’s pushing the play?
Special Teams: What would have mattered – Raw Charge
CAustin with an interesting exercise here, trying to determine how much of an improvement would have been required in various areas for the Lightning to make the playoffs. One of my favorite insights from stats analysis is how you can get that sense of the relative importance of various elements of the game.
Canucks/Kings line matching | mc79hockey.com
If I can find the time, I’ll do something similar for Preds/Red Wings.
The View from 111: NHL: No Honor League?
Mark wonders if the whole thing is about to spiral out of control.
Barack Obama heads greet Tim Thomas for Game 3 – Washington Times
Kevin Klein is doing it all these days – not only is he making game-changing plays on both ends of the ice vs. Detroit, but now he’s getting inside the Boston goaltender’s head.
Florida Panthers Win a Playoff Game in a Different World – The Hockey Writers
Where were you the last time the Panthers won a playoff game?
The Risky Road of Trading a Top Goalie – Matchsticks and Gasoline
The history here is pretty thin, you don’t see many #1’s traded.
Indiana Ice’s Jon Gillies joins ranks of goaltenders who have scored goals (VIDEO) – Buzzing The Net
It’s always fun when the goalie gets credit for one.