After a 4-0 pasting by division rival Minnesota , the Nashville Predators wake up this morning ten points out of the playoff hunt and looking for answers in a season that looks to be slipping away. It is hard to point at one game during a season and call it a turning point, but last night may have been one. A critical division game, with a team being chased, on home ice… almost the definition of a must win game… and judging from the post game quotes from the team… the Predators knew it.
Patric Hornqvist, when asked if last night was a must win game, “Yes, it was. We get one game in hand on them and not too many points behind. This loss is really hard on us right now, but there is nothing we can do about it right now. We have to learn about it and come out really fresh on Tuesday.” Shea Weber answered the same question, “Yes, they are right there in front of us in the standings and we needed tonight, but we didn’t get it so now we need to move forward and get ready for Calgary.”
Give full marks to Minnesota, they played an excellent road game and Wild backup goaltender Darcy Kuemper was excellent when he needed to be and Dany Heatley seems to be having a renaissance of sorts, being paired with a few younger players has rejuvenated his game.
Here are your highlights from last night…
So, what is the answer? Get back to work. Nashville has 35 games remaining in the season and a lot of ground to make up. No time to moan and groan, get back to work. Recharge on the off day today… it is needed as three games in four nights will take it out of a player, then get back to work… the Predators close out the home stand tomorrow night against Calgary. Puck drop at 7:07pm.
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In case you missed them… Here’s the photo album from Saturday night…
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio
Click
here to enjoy the entire photo album.
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Random Notes
- Keeping an eye on the farm… Filip Forsberg had four points last night (2g, 2a) in Milwaukee’s win over Lake Erie last night. Here’s a nice little highlight…
- Nice to see Patric Hornqvist back in the lineup after missing a couple of games.
- Full credit to Pred Nation, they brought it loud over the weekend in a back-to-back.
- And speaking of loud, those complaining about the booing… get over it, it’s going to happen for a long time. You hear complaints when a fan base isn’t passionate… then hear complaints about when a fan base shows passion. Sheesh…
- And speaking of full credit… gotta give a shout out to Josh Cooper in the Tennessean. Unlike a lot of the “nattering nabobs of negativity” … he has been very tough, but fair in his comments regarding this team. Not taking the contrarian role just to garner readers… good on ya Josh.
- Anaheim now has a 21 game home point streak after beating Detroit last night.
- Like father like son? Anthony Brodeur (son of Martin) has posted the third longest shutout streak in QMJHL history, almost 195 minutes. That’s about double his dad’s longest juniors streak. (Stick tap to ProHockey Talk)
- A rare “own goal” last night in Chicago’s win over Edmonton. Patrick Kane… in case you haven’t seen it…
There’s always risk in pulling your goalie.
- Four games tonight – 6pm starts – Flames @ Hurricanes, Lightning @ Blue Jackets. 7pm start – Coyotes @ Jets. 9:30pm start – Canucks @ Kings.
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