SlapShot Radio’s photographer was on the loose last night, the complete photo album is posted at
SlapShot Radio.com.
Courtesy SlapShot Radio/DLM
Let’s get this out of the way right now, the reason the Nashville Predators lost game four to Phoenix last night had nothing to do with the scratching of Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, despite all the kvetching of the back seat drivers in the blogosphere and mainstream media that are attempting to prove a worthless point about Preds head coach Barry Trotz. The Predators and Coyotes finally played the kind of game that everyone (even those whining loudest about Trotz’s scratch decisions) predicted when the series began.
Remember all those predictions? The ones that said it would be a seven game series with a total of seven goals scored with about a hundred overtimes? That got blown away in a hailstorm of 15 goals in games one and two. The problem last night was not a lack of opportunity; it was a lack of finish from the scoring lines. You know… the same issue Pred Nation has seen throughout these playoffs from the top two lines… no matter who has been on the ice or the scratch list.
Last night’s game four at Bridgestone Arena was as tight a defensive game as you will see. There was absolutely no room on the ice to maneuver and defensive miscues were few. Nashville had a quite a few golden scoring opportunities that either clanged off the post, sailed wide, went over the crossbar or were waived off by a quick whistle.
I don’t want to put on the tin foil hat here, but having goals waived off on quick whistles for two consecutive games simply stinks… I know it is a coincidence, but the whole “intent to blow” rule... well... blows. I would also like to get a clear explanation on these types of calls, there seems to be a real reticence to clearly and definitively give the reason for the decision.
The 1-0 Coyote victory puts a stranglehold on the series for the Desert Dogs, their 3-1 series lead puts the Nashville Predators season on the brink of disaster. When the series resumes in Glendale on Monday night, the Coyotes can punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. A place where the Predators and their fans expected to be, but one more time, you may point to the first game of a series as the reason they may not progress.
So, what happens now? Does Barry Trotz bow to the pressure being generated by those who think that Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn hung the moon and could’ve single handledly won the game last night? Don’t count on it… the coaching staff may bring back one of them, they may bring back both for game five, but know that they will make the lineup decisions based on needs of the team. The Predators will return to the ice tomorrow with a session at Centennial Sportsplex before leaving for Phoenix.
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Ron’s Diabetic Assist Dog Update
As 11am this morning, pledges stand at
$5,210. Simply amazing… we are 65% to goal… please keep spreading the word. Social media is driving this effort, and the generosity has been so very typical of hockey fans!
Click on the
link to contribute.
Ron has asked me to add his personal thank you to this… I am pleased to do so…
As some of you who know me personally, I was diagnosed at age of two and a half as a type 1 diabetic, having my ups and downs along the way. In June, I will be placed with the diabetic alert dog, which has been through two years of training, be able to help me manage those ups and downs, ultimately keeping me in check and healthier longer.
I wanted to take a moment and publicly thank EVERYONE for their support with the diabetic alert dog or at least has looked into the amazing work that is done at Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Paws (EENP.org). I feel like I cannot say it enough; the support has been extremely overwhelming and especially humbling. So many people have come forward to donate or just express words of encouragement. I've always known the hockey world was a tightly knit community and everyone has certainly shown why that community truly is a family, no matter if they are cheering on the Preds, the Wings, the Pens, or any other of their favorite teams.
Again, I want to express my sincerest thanks to everyone, including the many that have donated anonymously. Your support has been tremendous!
Go Preds!
-Ron
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Playoff Look
East
NYR vs. WSH – Rangers lead 2-1 – Next game is today
PHI vs. NJD – Devils lead 2-1 – Next game is Sunday
West
STL vs. LAK – Kings lead 3-0 – Next game is Sunday
PHX vs. NSH – Coyotes lead 3-1 – Next game is Monday
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Random Notes…
- The Fisher/Erat/Kostitsyn line continues to struggle in these playoffs, combining for a total of three goals so far and going a combined -6.
- In the “Never Let the Facts Get in Way” department – Four of the Predators top five playoff goal scorers were on the ice last night.
- Dave Tippett took a clear verbal shot at Predators leadership in his post game comments, his quote… "We've got leadership in the dressing room that keeps guys on the straight and narrow." He better hope no one steps out of line… those words can be hard to swallow…
- Josh Cooper, in his
Postgame Ponderings makes a great point, his quote “If you want to win the Stanley Cup, you need to overcome something difficult. This is that situation for Nashville right now.” It’s a good read… check it out.
- I do have a question about game management though… why didn’t we see Paul Gaustad in the last 13 minutes of the game? Wondering if he was hurt in the first period fight he had with Kyle Chipchurra…
- Absloutely love David Boclair’s article in today’s
CityPaper. He question’s Paul Gaustad’s decision to fight...
- John Manasso nails it in this column on
FoxSportsTennessee.com.
- One thing you have to say about last night... Smashville knows how to throw a party! From the great music to the big screen on the plaza to the "HumongoTron" set up right in the middle of Broadway... a lot of people had a lot of fun in and around Bridgestone Arena last night, despite the result on the ice.
- Today is the 3rd anniversary of former Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes putting the team in bankruptcy as a ploy to get Jim Balsillie his team… we see how well that worked out.
- The Rangers and Capitals get together for Game Four of their series starting at 11:30 central… hope they’ve recovered from their Wednesday marathon.
- St. Louis has their backs against the wall, down 3-0 and playing game four in LA tomorrow.
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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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link.
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On the next
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