The Nashville Predators losing streak is over. The pitchforks and torches are lowered slightly until the next loss and the team is back in Nashville for seven of their next nine games including a couple of critical divisional showdowns with Dallas and Chicago. The Predators 4-1 win over the New York Rangers at MSG last night was the kind of gritty, lunch bucket win that this team needed.
The ironic thing was, the players you have been hearing criticized over the past few days led the way. Rich Clune, Paul Gaustad and Matt Hendricks combined for three goals and a total of seven points last night as the Rangers concentrated on stopping players like Colin Wilson or Patric Hornqvist. One player that was held off the score sheet but deserves a call out is Eric Nystom who seemed to be all over the ice last night, registering four shots on goal and seven hits.
The other player that has been heavily criticized is Carter Hutton, who posted his best game as a Predator, giving up a goal to Rick Nash that no goalie in this league would’ve stopped as the only blemish on a stellar performance. Hutton got a little goal support, got some great play from the blueline and made the saves he needed to, including a simply marvelous save on Brian Boyle halfway through the third period.
Does one win fix all of the issues this team has, absolutely not… but it is a start. The key now is to build upon this performance. The Predators showed the things that make them successful; the recently much criticized “Predator Way” was in full effect at the Garden last night and it certainly appeared ready for Broadway. Hard working, team oriented hockey that resulted in a desperately needed win.
You eat the elephant one bite at a time… next bite is tomorrow night at Bridgestone Arena against the Dallas Stars.
Here are last night’s highlights…
-----------------------------------
If you haven’t had the chance to read this, I strongly recommend it… It is Paul Stewart’s latest blog about Predators color analyst Terry Crisp. Here’s the
link. Stewart has been an outstanding addition to the HockeyBuzz family, who knew he could write so well??? :-) That Penn education sure seems to have paid off.
I’d like to add a few words to Paul’s well written and heartfelt piece.
Terry Crisp, along with the Voice of the Predators Pete Weber, has been instrumental in teaching Middle Tennessee about our great sport. His deep knowledge and his great sense of humor has been a staple of Predator broadcasts since the first season of this franchise. In many ways, I compare this broadcast team to the one who first taught me about hockey as a youngster, Flyers announcers Gene Hart and Don Earle. Just as Don and Gene taught the Delaware Valley about hockey and were instrumental in developing hockey in a new market, so has Pete and Terry in Tennessee. They are synonymous with Predators hockey.
Crispy is simply one of the best men I have ever met. He is respected among hockey people around the league, not only for his knowledge of the game, but for his mighty class. One of the biggest rewards of my role as PA announcer with the Predators has been getting to know Terry a little bit, getting to hear him tell stories about his time as a player and as a coach. Most of them unrepeatable in a family blog, all of them simply fall down funny. The glint he gets in his eye when he is about to pull something is a joy to behold, and the caring he shows as a son, a father and grandfather is a side of the man that I feel honored to have seen.
Terry brings respect and honor to our city and we are lucky to have him.
------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Last night’s win got the Preds back to .500 at 14-14-3
- Note to the production gang at NBCSN… I know you don’t cover Predator games very often, but could you at least use the correct logo on your replay sweepers? Using a three year old logo simply ain’t cool.
- Ranger captain Ryan Callahan left last night’s game in the first period, the diagnosis? Grade 2 MCL sprain… he’s out for 4-6 weeks. Not good news for Blueshirt fans.
- Three games tonight, 6:30pm start – Kings @ Maple Leafs. 7pm start – Flyers @ Blackhawks. 9:30pm start - Wild @ Ducks.
--------------------------------------
SlapShot Radio every Wednesday at 7pm central on 102.5 The Game and the SlapShot Radio Network, our latest podcast is posted. No show this week due to broadcast conflicts. Our next show will be on 12/18.
Advertising packages are available, including title sponsorship! In order to reach our engaged listenership, please email me …
[email protected] and I will get information to you.
Be a part of the SlapShot Radio Network!
--------------------------------------
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! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
link.
-------------------------------------
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.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»