Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Solid Win at Home... at last!

October 28, 2011, 10:29 AM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This is what Pred Nation was waiting for, the return of their Nashville Predators, that gritty group of hard working hockey heroes that make the most of their opportunities. You know… the guys that play solid defense, that bend but don’t break, and the gang of players that count resilience as their key to winning. After giving up a two goal first period lead, the Predators showed that resilience in the second and third period, jumping on top and showing that they learned their lessons about holding a lead. This may be the breakthrough game that Pred fans everywhere have been looking for.

To this observer, the return of Mike Fisher to the Predators lineup has made all the difference. An assist on Tuesday night, two goals and an assist last night and most importantly, the chemistry that has already developed with him and linemates Sergei Kostitsyn and rookie Craig Smith. That line accounted for three goals and seven points in last night’s 5-3 victory. Kostitsyn was helped off the ice in the second period, but reports from the locker room indicated that he was being held out of the third period for precautionary reasons.

The other reason for the win… the all-world play of Pekka Rinne, Willy Daunic made a comment in post game that a goaltender who gives up three goals normally doesn’t get recognized with a star at the end of the game. I agree with this savvy pick from the Nashville media. Rinne was simply outstanding last night, making acrobatic saves look easy and frustrating the high powered Lightning offense.

In capturing their first win on home ice of the season, the Predators gain some much needed momentum that they will need going into Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Saturday’s game will be the last home game before the Preds take off for their normal CMA road trip. The Country Music Association Awards will be handed out at Bridgestone Arena on November 9th and the Predators hit road as the setup for the show has already begun. Pred fans are hoping this is start of a fall run that well positions this team, tomorrow night at Bridgestone Arena is the test of that theory…

----------------------------------

Random Notes

- Nice to see Patric Hornqvist get his first goal last night... and get it the way fans are used to seeing, greasy hard work in front of the net.

- A raw, chilly, rainy night in Nashville last night, and still Pred Nation was less than 500 short of a sellout… not bad at all, especially for October, with a game six of the World Series in competition.

- OT: Speaking of Game Six… Wow… unbelievable game last night. Those Cardiac Cards did it again… I don’t have a dog in this hunt and I have never been much of a Cardinal fan, but last night was simply amazing.

- A tip of the hat to Steven Stamkos, his goal in the first period was simply sick, a backhander from an impossible angle that rattled the water bottle…

- The Preds Promotions Department is going out of their way to get Pred Nation their share of treats. A Forsty for four goals, a donut for a shutout, a Goo Goo Cluster for a goal scored in the last minute of the second period. Let’s look at it this way… a 4-0 win when one goal is scored in the last minute of the second gets a ticket holder all of the above, to be washed down by a Zyence Energy Drink… yikes!

- Tampa has a lights out offense, lethal at all times, but unless they get their blueline and goal situation right, they may not be able to go farther over last season.

- For the first time this year, all three blueline pairings seemed to click. The return of Francs Bouillon has really helped as he is now paired with Kevin Klein and the third pair of Hillen and Blum looked solid.

- WTF??? Seventeen goals in last night’s Flyers /Jets game? Really? The only thing more surprising was Flyer’s goalie Ilya Bryzgalov admitting he has “zero confidence” in his post game comments.

- Willy Daunic is now in the Game… long rumored, finally announced, Willy will be hosting a new afternoon show called The Sports Revolution on the new sports talker. Glad to see Willy come on over…

- Somebody break up the Oilers! They snapped Washington’s win streak last night and appear to be a much better team this season.

----------------------------------

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!

Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

-------------------------------------

On the next SlapShot Radio

SlapShot Radio hit the road for our last show as we went to Blackstone Restaurant. We featured ESPN.com’s Craig Custance and the voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning Rick Peckham.

The podcast is posted on the SlapShot Radio website.

Click here to listen or download.

Next week we’re breaking down the West Coast roadie with a special quest co-host and great guests, join us won’t you? 6pm Wednesday on 102.5 the Game.

-------------------------------------

KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.
Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment
More from Paul McCann
» The time has come
» Whining through Game 3
» Playoff Picks
» Waiting for he playoffs
» A special night in Smashville