So much for feeling better about effort, Jerred Smithson had some post game comments that sums things up:
"Just embarrassing. We just got out-worked. It was right from the drop of the puck. If it wasn’t for Peks it could have been 5-1. It seems like I’ve been saying that every time now, but it’s the honest truth, we rely on this guy way too much. We don’t work, we don’t skate, we don’t forecheck, we have a hardworking team that doesn’t work hard and I don’t know, it’s beyond frustrating right now. I’ve never been a part of something like this. It’s gotta change right now, or we’re going to be on the outside looking in – December we’ll be out of this, we have to change it right now."
The Predators lost their third straight game last night, and didn’t look very good in doing it. Outworked, outshot, out hustled, out everything’d… the only place this team isn’t being outplayed is between the pipes. Pekka Rinne has been excellent, but as Smithson’s quote illustrates, the team is relying on their all-world goaltender far too much.
The other distressing trend is an old one, shooting the damn puck. The Predators tallied only 12 shots on goal last night (including only 3 in the third period) and so far on this young season this team is getting outshot by an average of 10 shots a game, not a recipe for long term success.
As previously called out by numerous sources, including the head coach, the first two wins of the season hid a lot of issues with this young team. Those issues are in full view now and have to be addressed. Beginning today, Coach Barry Trotz was quoted as saying that the Predators were going to “start from scratch.” The team has two days to practice, to focus, to get their mojo going before facing the Vancouver Canucks Thursday at Rodgers Arena. A stiff challenge for a team firing on all cylinders, let alone a struggling one.
This team is better than it has shown in the first five games of the season… it’s time for them to get to work and show it.
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Random Notes
- One bright spot last night was Sergei Kostitsyn finally breaking through with a goal. This team needs the scoring punch he can provide.
- Trotz was also quoted after that game that Martin Erat still may join the team on this road trip.
- Congratulations to the Winnipeg Jets on winning their first game since… last April. Memo to the Canadian media, this is not the franchise’s first win in 15 years…
- Florida ruined the Lightning home opener last night, beating Tampa 7-4.
- The injury bug is biting St. Louis again as Andy McDonald has been diagnosed with a concussion. Not good news for the forward who missed time last year with the same injury.
- A couple of good ones on the NHL schedule tonight. Versus is showing Pittsburgh @ Minnesota… but the one that intrigues me more is Buffalo at Montreal.
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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!
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On the next SlapShot Radio
The editor-in-chief of Yahoo Sports’ Puck Daddy hockey blog, Greg Wyshynski will be joining us and Pete and I will be focusing on the Western Canada trip, tomorrow at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.
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