For today's Sunday Shots...
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here. We've got plenty of pictures of the great costumes at the game last night and some fantastic game action shots...
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A wild night at Bridgestone Arena last night as the Predators and Ducks showed signs that their playoff series from last season was indeed the genesis of a nasty rivalry as things got chippy quick in the Predators 3-0 victory. Plenty of sneaky slashes, penalty drawing, big hits and a large amount of behind-the-play shenanigans were in effect, there would’ve needed to be six refs on the ice to catch it all.
A lot of folks are focusing on the Francois Beauchemin’s hit on Mike Fisher, a huge hit reminiscent of Scott Steven’s hit on Eric Lindross. I’ll leave the decision on whether it is illegal or not to NHL discipline, one thing that can’t be denied, it was certainly part of Anaheim channeling the Broad Street Bullies in last night’s game strategy. That has to be the biggest positive outside of the win. The Predators stood up and played the perfect game to counter such a strategy.
I guess I just don’t understand why they believe it is necessary. Anaheim has a lot of talent on their team, they don’t have to play the intimidation game to the level they do, but it seems to have become ingrained into the DNA of this team, and last night it did not serve them well. They lost their discipline several times during the game, and it cost the two points.
With all the extraneous activity in last night's game, Pekka Rinne's performance gets a little lost. He was simply amazing in gaining his 100th win and his franchise record 22nd shutout.
Pred Nation has to approach this upcoming road trip with a combination of excitement and trepidation. Nashville has looked good over the past two games. Francis Bouillon has solidified the blueline and the pairings are looked quite good right now. The return of Martin Erat was another good thing but that is tempered with concern over Mike Fisher. It is hard to tell the degree of an “upper body injury” right after… today will tell a bigger story, as "UBI's" normally shows themselves more on the following day or two. The Predators will fly to Chicago this afternoon for tomorrow night’s Halloween game against the red hot Hawks. The team will then return to Nashville post-game and get a couple of nights in their own beds before taking off for Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon.
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Random Notes
- You had to like Blake Geoffrion stepping up after Corey Perry’s slash/spear to Jordin Tootoo. This team is showing a nice ability to not let teams get away with the kind of undisciplined crap we saw in last night’s game without an answer.
- Barry Trotz is normally a pretty calm coach behind the bench, but last night was the most animated I have ever seen him after the hit on Mike Fisher… he was very colorful in his expletives…
- The Predators outshot an opponent for the first time this season.
- Ryan Getzlaf tees off on Jordin Tootoo in
today’s OC Register. Wow… “Pot, this is kettle…”
- Anaheim is in Columbus tonight… y’know, I almost feel sorry for the Blue Jackets… that’s going to be one PO’d Duck team looking to take some frustration out.
- Somebody break up the Senators… five straight and another ridiculous comeback, this time at MSG against the Rangers.
- All kinds of questions about the Red Wings after losing four straight… don’t worry about them, they will be fine.
- Wow, talk about a monster Stanley Cup hangover… what the heck is up with the Bruins?
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On the next SlapShot Radio
SlapShot Radio is locked and ready to rock as this Wednesday we welcome Joe Yerdon from NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk blog and we’ll take a look down on the farm with the voice of the Milwaukee Admirals… Aaron Sims. We are also looking at the west coast portion of the CMA road trip… That’s all on this week’s SlapShot Radio, 6pm Wednesday on 102.5 the Game.
Past episode podcasts are posted on the SlapShot Radio website.
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