You could’ve forgiven Pred Nation for turning their TV’s off at around 10:25 central last night. The Nashville Predators had just taken a 4-0 lead over the Calgary Flames and looked safely on the way to cruise on home with a shutout on the road. If you did, well… you missed an… ummmmm… shall we say, interesting final five minutes as Calgaty got a lucky bounce off Yannick Weber to break Juuse Saros’ shutout bid, scored a second one just :17 seconds later, then drew to within one with :48 left in the game.
The feeding frenzy ended there as the Preds took a 4-3 decision, but hoooold on there babalooey… let’s go back to that second Flames goal, a goal that was initially waived off due to goaltender interference and subsequently reversed on a coach’s challenge.
I take you back to last Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena, a goal that was refused to be awarded due to goaltender interference, no substantial contact, a brush by that was judged to be interference. I disagree, but OK… these are the calls that get made. Flash forward to the 3:26 mark of the 3rd period in last night’s game, the identical call, an almost identical play, a brush by that had no substantial contact, so of course… goal should be waived off as called on the ice…
Nope. This one gets reversed. Wait, what???
This is what is completely infuriating about the NHL’s review system. You cannot count on any consistency… at all! If the review system can’t get it consistent, why even have it?
Believe me, if the Predators had lost last night or even if it got to overtime, I would be just as angry… the results of the game doesn’t matter, what matters is getting it consistent. Notice I didn’t say consistently right… human beings are wrong occasionally and I don’t expect perfection from the on-ice referees, they truly do an amazing job… but the war room in Toronto needs to get these calls consistent, and right now, they are not.
OK… let’s get to the good the bad and the ugly from last night…
The Good – James Neal getting back on the score sheet, Filip Forsberg continuing his hot scoring run and Juuse Saros’ outstanding play. Oh… and don’t forget Ryan Johansen’s 80% (12 of 15) face off win percentage.
The Bad - Well, the GBU can be fickle… Ryan Johansen, taking two tripping penalties and a slash. He was in the box when Calgary scored their first goal.
The Ugly - As laid out above, the inconsistent review process.
So… the win puts the Preds back in playoff position with a chance to solidify it tonight against the Edmonton Oilers at their new home, Rodgers Place. The Oilers are christening their new homke with their best season in a long time as they stand 3rd in the Pacific, a division they led for a good portion of the season.
This is a good hockey team, GM Peter Chirelli has addressed the defense issues and it is still stocked with offensive firepower. This is the first of three matches between these two teams and the only one in Edmonton. The Oilers come into tonight’s game riding a four game win streak and is 10-3-2 in their last 15 games.
I mentioned firepower… Connor McDavid leads the NHL in points with 54, Patrick Maroon leads the team in goals with 18 with Leon Draisaitl close behind with 17, McDavid has 15.
No word on a goaltender for either team, although guessing that Pekka Rinne will be in net tonight would be solid as Saros went last night. Cam Talbot has started 42 of Edmonton’s 47 games posting a 2.42 GAA and a save percentage of .918. Talbot, many local fans remember, played his college hockey 90 minutes south of Nashville, manning the nets in Huntsville for the UAH Chargers. The Oilers are on the first game of a back-to-back and may go with their backup Laurent Brossoit. The 23 year old BC native has played in 6 NHL games (none this season) and has yet to post his first win. The Predators faced Brossoit late last season, posting a win against the youngster last March.
Game time is 8pm, coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee and 102.5 the Game. Radio pregame starts at 7pm, TV pregame at 7:30.
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Random Notes
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Where We Stand – After last night’s play, the Nashville Predators have 49 points in 45 games played and stand 4th in the Central Division, trailing, 3rd place St. Louis by two points with a game in hand. Nashville is now in the 2nd wild card spot, leading LA and Vancouver by one point with a game in hand over the Canucks. The Predators are two points behind Calgary for the 1st wild card slot and hold three games in hand over the Flames.
- The Predators improved to 14-0-4 when scoring first.
- The captain, Mike Fisher got his 300th assist last night on James Neal’s goal.
- Filip Forsberg scored his 12th last night, the game-winner was the 4th such goal this season. He has posted three goals in his last four games and ninth in his last 15.
- Edmonton has dominated the Central so far this season, going 8-1-2 against the division.
- Connor McDavid has made Oilers history by becoming the 5th player to record 100 points in less than 100 games, achieving the feat in 92.
- SIx games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – CHI @ BOS, DET @ BUF, PIT @ CAR. 6:30pm – MTL @ NJD. 8pm – NSH @ EDM. 9pm – FLA @ VAN.
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