After a much better effort on Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, The Nashville Predators (16-10-2) hope to revenge their Wednesday night overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild (12-12-3) tonight at the Sommet Center.
This is like a severe case of deja vu taking another look at this match-up in the span of three days. A couple of things have changed on the Preds side with roster moves that sent Mike Santorelli to Milwaukee with Cal O'Reilly and Ryan Jones coming up in return.
O'Reilly got his first assist of the year in last night's game against the Hawks while Ryan Jones did not make the scorecard.
The Wild won their game last night in Minnesota with in 5-4 shoot-out against the Ducks to get to the .500 mark for the first time this season since their second game. They have now won four straight games for the first time since October 11-18, 2008 and also have a six game point streak.
Guillaume Latendresse has had a big impact since being acquired from Montreal. He had the game-winning goal in last night's shootout and has had 2 goals and an assist in four games for the Wild since coming over from Montreal.
Neither coach has officially announced the staring goaltender for tonight's game. I would imagine that Pekka Rinne (11-6-1, 2.61, .907) will go for the Preds but Barry Trotz may be impressed enough with last night's performance to send Dan Ellis (5-4-1, 2.53, 913) out once again.
Nicklas Backstrom (11-9-3, 2.70, .906) probably will go for the Wild but Josh Harding (1-3-0, 3.41, .861) is not out of the question.
Preds Keys to the Game
More Balanced Play...
In last night's win, the Goc-Erat-Tootoo line was the dominant scoring force while in the game on Wednesday against the Wild, the traditional first line carried the load. Last night the Arnott line only managed two shots. The Preds need to get out of the roller-coaster syndrome and return to a more balanced scoring attack with all lines contributing.
Continued Full Ice Defensive Effort...
Last night's game was not a text book example of what a great defense is supposed to look like, but with the help of Dan Ellis, they managed to get the job done. The Legwand-Smithson-Ward line was outstanding in keeping the young guns under wraps. The only goal allowed was a highlight film effort by Jonathan Toews that few could stop.
Wear the Third Jersey Proudly...
After losing their first game in the thirds a week ago Friday, the Preds came back to win on Saturday in the new threads. We will consider that the Friday game was not "official" since the thirds are supposed to be worn on Saturday nights in Smashville. The Preds had a big advantage over the years when wearing the old mustards and that needs to keep going with the new retro thirds too.
Next Up...
The Preds will play four of their next five games at home before disappearing for the rest of the month except for a Boxing day game against Chicago. Vancouver will visit the Sommet Center on Tuesday in the Preds next game.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Weekend Update from Pred Land
It's a cold Saturday Morning in December with a home game tonight at the Sommet Center. How could things get much better than that? A big win last night against the Blackhawks is the only thing that could made it any better.
POTG Radio Returns on Monday...
After a couple of week's of Monday night Predators games, POTG radio will return this Monday with Hockey Buzz's Columbus writer Eric Smith and Anthony Curatolo who reps the Islanders, Flyers and the NHL for Crash The Crease, Hockey Independent, and Hendrick's. It will be an East-West type discussion with a discussion about Columbus and the Western Conference as well as the Flyers coaching change and other Eastern Conference talk.
Round-Up from Last Night's 4-1 Win over the Hawks...
Here is our game story with NHL video.
John Glennon has full coverage with the story, notes and a blog.
Fellow bloggers Forechecker, Mark at The View from 111, and See Puck City, have the angles covered.
Here's what the Chicago MSM had to say about the Hawks loss.
In Pred Nation...
Dirk "Forchecker" Hoag broke a huge story yesterday on the Sommet having a tax lien and we gushed over him with some serious "blog crush"(derivative of "man crush") words. Brad Schrade at the Tennessean wasn't quite so glowing in his words for Dirk. In fact, he wrote his story as if he had gathered in information himself. The Nashville Post was much classier, giving full credit where credit was due.
David Boclair at the Nashville Scene wants to blame the Preds recent woes on the new third jersey. I don't think so.
From @cellblock303 "CONFIRMED 303:30 GUESTS : Ads PBP man @aaronadmirals & #Wild Beat Writer @bbrothers50!" The podcast should is up and ready for a listen on the way to the game.
The Admirals got blown out 5-1 last night by Texas. The highlight of the game was the Teddy Bear toss at the first intermission.
Teddy Bear Toss (photo by Short Shifts)
Bad news on Colin Wilson from @Short_Shifts: "Colin Wilson missed tonight's game. He was in California for an "appointment". Still nursing lower body injury. Status for tomorrow unknown."
This is different. Plan ahead for Sticks and Stitch Night on March 7.
Around the NHL...
The NHL made it official that the 2010 NHL Draft will be in Los Angeles on the same week as the Awards Show making a media double-header convenient for all. I really like the logo. It has a In-N-Out Burger feel to it.
Dater takes on the latest NHL press release as only he can do.
In more serious news, the Philadelphia Flyers canned John Stevens and hired Peter Laviolette on Friday.
Finally, Jackson found this story that is like the ultimate Twitter incident...
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
POTG Radio Returns on Monday...
After a couple of week's of Monday night Predators games, POTG radio will return this Monday with Hockey Buzz's Columbus writer Eric Smith and Anthony Curatolo who reps the Islanders, Flyers and the NHL for Crash The Crease, Hockey Independent, and Hendrick's. It will be an East-West type discussion with a discussion about Columbus and the Western Conference as well as the Flyers coaching change and other Eastern Conference talk.
Round-Up from Last Night's 4-1 Win over the Hawks...
Here is our game story with NHL video.
John Glennon has full coverage with the story, notes and a blog.
Fellow bloggers Forechecker, Mark at The View from 111, and See Puck City, have the angles covered.
Here's what the Chicago MSM had to say about the Hawks loss.
In Pred Nation...
Dirk "Forchecker" Hoag broke a huge story yesterday on the Sommet having a tax lien and we gushed over him with some serious "blog crush"(derivative of "man crush") words. Brad Schrade at the Tennessean wasn't quite so glowing in his words for Dirk. In fact, he wrote his story as if he had gathered in information himself. The Nashville Post was much classier, giving full credit where credit was due.
David Boclair at the Nashville Scene wants to blame the Preds recent woes on the new third jersey. I don't think so.
From @cellblock303 "CONFIRMED 303:30 GUESTS : Ads PBP man @aaronadmirals & #Wild Beat Writer @bbrothers50!" The podcast should is up and ready for a listen on the way to the game.
The Admirals got blown out 5-1 last night by Texas. The highlight of the game was the Teddy Bear toss at the first intermission.
Teddy Bear Toss (photo by Short Shifts)Bad news on Colin Wilson from @Short_Shifts: "Colin Wilson missed tonight's game. He was in California for an "appointment". Still nursing lower body injury. Status for tomorrow unknown."
This is different. Plan ahead for Sticks and Stitch Night on March 7.
Around the NHL...
The NHL made it official that the 2010 NHL Draft will be in Los Angeles on the same week as the Awards Show making a media double-header convenient for all. I really like the logo. It has a In-N-Out Burger feel to it.
Dater takes on the latest NHL press release as only he can do.
In more serious news, the Philadelphia Flyers canned John Stevens and hired Peter Laviolette on Friday.
Finally, Jackson found this story that is like the ultimate Twitter incident...
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Predator's Season Ticket Holder Family Photo Day
Here is some information for all season ticket holders (Full and half season) that want to pose with "Santa Gnash" or a Predator Dancer for your Christmas card pictures.
I don't need any pictures but would love to see how the other half lives parking in the 6th Avenue Garage.
Picture from the Preds of their Christmas Parade Float
Here is the official information from the Preds...
This holiday- themed event is exclusively for full and half season ticket holders. Bring your camera to take photos of your family on the ice, meet-and-greet with Santa Gnash and Predators dancers, and get a jump start on your holiday shopping in the Pro shop with your 20% discount!
*Free parking will be provided in the 6th Avenue garage (located on the corner of 6th Ave. and Demonbreun).
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
I don't need any pictures but would love to see how the other half lives parking in the 6th Avenue Garage.
Picture from the Preds of their Christmas Parade FloatHere is the official information from the Preds...
Season Ticket Holder Family Photo Day
December 6, 2009
12:30pm-2:30pm
December 6, 2009
12:30pm-2:30pm
This holiday- themed event is exclusively for full and half season ticket holders. Bring your camera to take photos of your family on the ice, meet-and-greet with Santa Gnash and Predators dancers, and get a jump start on your holiday shopping in the Pro shop with your 20% discount!
*Free parking will be provided in the 6th Avenue garage (located on the corner of 6th Ave. and Demonbreun).
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Friday, December 4, 2009
Predators Stun Blackhawks With 4-1 Win
Paced by outstanding goaltending by Dan Ellis and balanced scoring, the Nashville Predators surprised the Chicago Blackhawks with a 4-1 victory at the United Center on Friday night. The win moves the Predators within three points of the Hawks in the tough Central Division.
Ellis stopped 34 of 35 shots by the Hawks and was under constant pressure for the entire sixty minutes of play.
Dan Hamhuis, Martin Erat, Jordin Tootoo and Joel Ward all had goals in a contest that was a one goal game up until the Preds broke it open with two goals in the last couple of minutes.
The Preds started the game giving all they had but were completely out skated in the first period by the more talented Hawks team. Jonathan Toews broke through with the first goal at 11:50 when he faked Dan Hamhuis and made an incredible move on Dan Eliis that few goal keepers could have anticipated.
Dan Hamhuis made up for the miscue at 17:04 in the first with a slap shot from the right circle that Cristobal Huet never saw due to a screen by Paric Hornqvist. Cal O'Reilly had the secondary assist on the play for his first point of the year as a Predator.
The Predators came out in the second and looked like a different team. After being out shot 15-6 in the first period, the Preds out-played and out-shot the Hawks 9-8 in the middle period.
A scary moment came early in the second at 1:17 when Kevin Klein was tripped near the board by Troy Brouwer in a very dangerous move that appeared to have ended the night for Klein. After some time in the locker room, Klein came back for four shifts in the period. The Preds had a very spirited power play after the penalty firing repeatedly at the net and getting three shots during the man advantage.
At 7:01 in the second Jordin Tootoo fired a shot at the net that went off Martin Erat for a goal that put the Preds up 2-1. The goal was reviewed for no apparent reason.
During a Chicago power play, at 14:15 David Legwand made the defensive play of the game, going to his knees in the crease to keep the puck out of the net.
The theme of the third period was desperate hockey by the Blackhawks. On a Predator power play just past the midpoint of the period, the Preds did not get a shot and spent most of the man advantage in their own defensive zone. The pressure by the Hawks was intense from that point forward.
Just when Pred fans were waiting for the the other shoe to fall, at 17:57 at the end of a good shift by the Erat-Tootoo-Goc line, Jordin Tootoo blew a shot from the slot past Huet to put the Preds up 3-1 and seal the game.
Surprisingly, thirty five seconds later, after a line change, David Legwand made a cross ice pass to Joel Ward who was skating in the slot for a beautiful one-timer to make it 4-1 Preds.
The line of Erat-Tootoo-Goc played an outstanding game picking up two goals and three assists while the primary Hawks defenders completely shut down the Preds first line that only managed two shots, both by Jason Arnott.
The Predators left immediately after the game to return home where they will face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night at the Sommet Center at 7 p.m.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Predators Face Hawks in Chicago
The Nashville Predators (15-10-2) head into Chicago (17-6-3) to face the Blackhawks in a key battle as the Preds are now five points back in second place in the Central Division.
This is the fourth meeting of the year between the two teams with Chicago winning two of three games, 3-1 in Nashville on October 15, and 2-0 in Chicago on October 24. The Preds held the Hawks scoreless on October 29 in a 2-0 Pekka Rinne shutout. The Hawks held the Preds to 13 shots in the first meeting which was at the height of the Predator's early season ineptness.
Dan Ellis (4-4-1, 2.70, .906) will be in net for the Preds and it appears that Christobal Huet (13-5-2, 2.16, .909) will start for the Hawks.
The Preds will try out a new look tonight after Mike Santorelli was sent to Milwaukee and replaced by Cal O'Reilly. John Glennon indicates that the Preds will sport a fourth like of Cal O'Reilly, Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones, who was recalled yesterday to replace the injured Dave Scatchard.
Preds Keys To The Game
Don't Look Back...
The Preds need to put the past two losses as well as the two resounding defeats to Chicago in October in the rear view mirror. They need to try to recapture some of what they had during the seven game win streak.
Play a Full 60 Minutes...
The Predators have developed an annoying habit of not playing with full intensity for the entire game. It seems that there has been at least a period in six of the last seven games that has been played with much less enthusiasm. They need to start quickly, forecheck, and try to keep the puck in the Chicago zone as much as possible.
Lines Need to Mesh...
Barry Trotz has indicated that he wants to go back to more of a four line game including a very young fourth line. The first line played well in the game against the Wild and needs to continue to do so tonight. Steve Sullivan needs to remember what he did in his four point night and keep doing it as does Jason Arnott and J. P. Dumont.
Up Next...
The Preds will leave immediately after the game and return to Nashville for a rematch with the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night at the Sommet Center.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
This is the fourth meeting of the year between the two teams with Chicago winning two of three games, 3-1 in Nashville on October 15, and 2-0 in Chicago on October 24. The Preds held the Hawks scoreless on October 29 in a 2-0 Pekka Rinne shutout. The Hawks held the Preds to 13 shots in the first meeting which was at the height of the Predator's early season ineptness.
Dan Ellis (4-4-1, 2.70, .906) will be in net for the Preds and it appears that Christobal Huet (13-5-2, 2.16, .909) will start for the Hawks.
The Preds will try out a new look tonight after Mike Santorelli was sent to Milwaukee and replaced by Cal O'Reilly. John Glennon indicates that the Preds will sport a fourth like of Cal O'Reilly, Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones, who was recalled yesterday to replace the injured Dave Scatchard.
Preds Keys To The Game
Don't Look Back...
The Preds need to put the past two losses as well as the two resounding defeats to Chicago in October in the rear view mirror. They need to try to recapture some of what they had during the seven game win streak.
Play a Full 60 Minutes...
The Predators have developed an annoying habit of not playing with full intensity for the entire game. It seems that there has been at least a period in six of the last seven games that has been played with much less enthusiasm. They need to start quickly, forecheck, and try to keep the puck in the Chicago zone as much as possible.
Lines Need to Mesh...
Barry Trotz has indicated that he wants to go back to more of a four line game including a very young fourth line. The first line played well in the game against the Wild and needs to continue to do so tonight. Steve Sullivan needs to remember what he did in his four point night and keep doing it as does Jason Arnott and J. P. Dumont.
Up Next...
The Preds will leave immediately after the game and return to Nashville for a rematch with the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night at the Sommet Center.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Dirk "The Forechecker" Hoag Scoops Everyone on Sommet Story
It is rare for one blogger to devote an entire post to give props to another but this is really a special occasion on a story with far reaching ramifications that will be picked up by hockey outlets all across North America.Dirk "The Forechecker" Hoag has scooped everyone on a story that the Sommet Group (Personel Department LLC) has a IRS lien against them which makes you wonder further why Sommet's Brian Whitfield was so willing to open the mudslinging with information about David Freeman having a similar lien against him.
Dirk received a tip on the lien and did the legwork to find a back issue of the Nashville Business Journal to confirm the story.
This is a great example about how the world of media is changing and the playing field has been leveled to the point where new media writers are breaking big news that has been missed by the mainstream media.
When congratulated on the scoop, Dirk replied, "I regret that I have but one blog to give for my hockey team."
Congrats again to Dirk, and thanks for doing a great job. Make sure and read the original post here.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Cal O'Reilly Call-Up Completes Swap with Mike Santorelli going to Milwaukee
Capping a busy two day's of player shuffling between Nashville and Milwaukee and Milwaukee and Cincinnati, we now know that Cal O'Reilly will join the Predators in Chicago before tonight's game.
Admiral's Short Shifts has been taking the lead in all the transactions being the first to report that Mike Santorelli was being sent to Milwaukee and that Cal O'Reilly was not at the morning skate for the Ads.
Cal O'Reilly has 21 points in 17 games with the Admirals logging four goals and 17 assists. With the Predators, he played six games with no points.
Here is the complete release from the Predators...
NASHVILLE PREDATORS RECALL CAL O’REILLY FROM MILWAUKEE
-Also reassign Santorelli to the Admirals-
Nashville, Tenn. (December 4, 2009) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled center Cal O’Reilly from Milwaukee (AHL), and reassigned forward Mike Santorelli to the Admirals.
O’Reilly, 23 (9/30/86), started the season in Milwaukee before being recalled to Nashville on Oct. 15. He was pointless in six games, and was reassigned on Oct. 30. In 17 games at the AHL level, the Toronto, Ont., native leads the Admirals in points (21) and is tied for fifth in the league in assists (17).
Santorelli, 23 (12/14/85), has suited up for 21 of Nashville’s 27 games this season, posting three points (2g-1a). The Vancouver, B.C., native scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 28 at Minnesota, and collected his first career assist two games later on Oct. 31 vs. Dallas. He is also 3-for-3 in shootouts for the Predators this season. This is Santorelli’s second trip to Milwaukee, as he amassed eight points (4g-4a) in four games with the club from Oct. 16-24.
The Predators round out a two-game road set tonight at the United Center in Chicago (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports Tennessee), before returning to Nashville for a four-game homestand from Dec. 5-12. Tickets to these games, which include matchups against Minnesota, Vancouver, Columbus and Detroit, and all other regular season contests, are now on sale and can be purchased by logging onto nashvillepredators.com. Tickets are also available by calling (615) 770-PUCK and at all Ticketmaster locations.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
Admiral's Short Shifts has been taking the lead in all the transactions being the first to report that Mike Santorelli was being sent to Milwaukee and that Cal O'Reilly was not at the morning skate for the Ads.
Cal O'Reilly has 21 points in 17 games with the Admirals logging four goals and 17 assists. With the Predators, he played six games with no points.
Here is the complete release from the Predators...
NASHVILLE PREDATORS RECALL CAL O’REILLY FROM MILWAUKEE
-Also reassign Santorelli to the Admirals-
Nashville, Tenn. (December 4, 2009) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled center Cal O’Reilly from Milwaukee (AHL), and reassigned forward Mike Santorelli to the Admirals.
O’Reilly, 23 (9/30/86), started the season in Milwaukee before being recalled to Nashville on Oct. 15. He was pointless in six games, and was reassigned on Oct. 30. In 17 games at the AHL level, the Toronto, Ont., native leads the Admirals in points (21) and is tied for fifth in the league in assists (17).
Santorelli, 23 (12/14/85), has suited up for 21 of Nashville’s 27 games this season, posting three points (2g-1a). The Vancouver, B.C., native scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 28 at Minnesota, and collected his first career assist two games later on Oct. 31 vs. Dallas. He is also 3-for-3 in shootouts for the Predators this season. This is Santorelli’s second trip to Milwaukee, as he amassed eight points (4g-4a) in four games with the club from Oct. 16-24.
The Predators round out a two-game road set tonight at the United Center in Chicago (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports Tennessee), before returning to Nashville for a four-game homestand from Dec. 5-12. Tickets to these games, which include matchups against Minnesota, Vancouver, Columbus and Detroit, and all other regular season contests, are now on sale and can be purchased by logging onto nashvillepredators.com. Tickets are also available by calling (615) 770-PUCK and at all Ticketmaster locations.
More Later...
Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass
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