You knew that the Nashville Predators were going to get back on the winning track, quibble with how it happened, but a win is a win and with the Preds 2-0 win in Calgary yesterday, the western Canada trip was not a complete washout. Three different losing streaks were ended last night, two owned by the team and one by Pekka Rinne.
However, the win was a result of a fortunate bounce, converting on an odd man rush and simply phenomenal goaltending from Rinne. The team was still outshot and allowed Calgary to control the flow and pace of the game for long stretches, especially in the first and third periods. In his pregame analysis, Terry Crisp said that the team needed a bounce or two to go their way, and Niclas Bergfors’ chest was the catalyst to get the Preds up on top.
So how does the team follow this one? This week’s schedule is a tough one…
Tuesday vs. San Jose – The Sharks hit Smashville after a big win over the defending Stanley Cup champs. They were on a three game losing streak, including two to Anaheim, they got well with a couple of Eastern conference wins. Always a stiff test for the Predators, the team will need to play an excellent all-around game to capture their first home win of the young season.
Thursday vs. Tampa Bay – Another stiff test from an Eastern Conference team that will come in after a home and home with a divisional foe (Buffalo,) the Lightning have young guns and veteran leadership ad are looking to build on their successful playoff run last season.
Saturday vs. Anaheim – You know that the Ducks have this one circled on their schedule after last year’s first round exit.
The road gets no easier for Nashville.
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Random Notes
- What great odd man rush leading to the second goal last night, Craig Smith looked like he was shot out of a cannon, and SK74 finished beautifully. Smith did a fine job at center last night.
- Big kudos to Jonathan Blum, great block on a sure goal from Olli Jokinen second period chance.
- Waiting for updates on the injury front, this team needs Fisher, Erat and Bouillon back… sooner rather than later.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets are finding new ways to lose, blowing a lead and a game with :36 seconds left against Ottawa last night. The best news for Jacket fans is that they get suspended James Wisniewski in their lineup for their next game.
- The Capitals simply destroyed the Red Wings last night. When the Caps offense is clicking, they are impossible to stop.
- First big trade of the regular season. Vancouver and Florida swapped pieces that were struggling, new starts for David Booth, Steven Reinprecht, Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm
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On the next SlapShot Radio
SlapShot Radio hits the road for our next show as we take it to Blackstone Brewery, immediately following our show will be 102.5 the Game's player show featuring Jordin Tootoo. This Wednesday we will feature ESPN.com’s Craig Custance and a look at the final two games of the homestand.
Wednesday’s episode of SlapShot Radio featured “Puck Daddy” Greg Wyshynski and Jeff Paterson from the Team 1040 in Vancouver with some blunt assessment of the Canucks… The podcast is posted on the SlapShot Radio website.
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