To get things started today, it was great to see everyone at the GnashVegas fundraiser last night, lots of great food, wonderful cocktails and raising over $100,000 for the Nashville Predators Foundation. It was a chance to meet and greet the players and personalities of the Predators organization and is always well attended by Nashville movers and shakers.
There was lots of discussion last night about the team, their positioning and plenty of armchair coaching about why this highly resilient team is suddenly struggling late in games. Some say goaltending, some say bad luck, some say bad game management, some say it’s the prevent defense they observe or a lack of killer instinct… so… what is it? Well let’s take a look at them one at a time.
Goaltending – This is the easy one. The puck wasn’t stopped, therefore it is the fault of Rinne or Saros. That is a simplistic view of things that doesn’t always live up to the eye test, and the last two games are living proof. Rinne has bounced back from a sub-par 2015-16 regular season with a better save percentage and equal GAA, both within range of his career totals. Saros is young and still learning the game but shows great promise. Rinne has stolen his share of games and come up with big saves at the right time… I don’t think the issue is here… hanging your goaltender out to dry with late breakaways is not a recipe for team success.
Bad Luck - Now this is an intriguing possibility. How many posts have we heard clanging from Predators shots, how many goals have gone in on Pred goaltending that look like they belong in an old McDonald’s commercial… ok, off the boards, off the d-man’s skate, puck on its edge, off an ice chip, nothing but net. I over exaggerate a little, but when you look at a lot of the goals that have burned the Predators this year, it has come from these type of off the shin pad places. I’d put about 25% of the issue here… but these tend to even out over the course of a season.
Bad Game Management - Preds beat writer Adam Vingan has an excellent piece on this from yesterday’s Tennessean. Mistakes at the wrong time that the Predators paid dearly for, a costly turnover led to the game winner in Montreal. I appreciate the push that went on in the last two minutes of the Chicago game, the Predators had an advantage and pressed it… but it did lead to a defensive breakdown that Jonathan Toews exploited for the game winning goal from Brian Campbell. Put about 50% of it here.
Prevent Defense - We’ve seen that earlier in the season, and let’s face it… it is human nature to relax with a big lead… but this is a vigilance point that frankly hasn’t been the issue over the last two losses. No impact here…
So Paul… I hear you say… that only adds up to 75%... what about the rest? I place it here…
Learning Curve and Chemistry - To me, this is biggest opportunity for the Predators. Stay with me here… Now that the roster moves are done, trading complete, and the team is getting a bit healthier with Salomaki looking close to return, the biggest question being Ryan Ellis. This team is finally able to learn one another on the ice as a unit. The chemistry is developing… the JOFA line being the biggest example, but you are seeing it up and down the roster. This has been improving since the adds of Cody McLeod and Vern Fiddler… two solid veterans that have been a good as or better than advertised.
Don’t underestimate the value of the adversity this team has faced in the first 65 games of this season. It’s a key part of playoff preparation, games like these last two are object learning experiences that can be drawn on when in the same situation come April… or May… or June. The time is now to play playoff hockey.
The Predators practice today before taking off for the West Coast. It will not be easy as Anaheim is fighting off the Calgary Flames for the third spot in the Pacific, LA is fighting for their playoff lives and San Jose is trying to put some distance between them and the Edmonton Oilers… plenty on the line this roadie. Next game is Anaheim tomorrow night with a game time of 9pm Central.
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ICYMI - Make sure you check out the SlapShot Radio Facebook page the latest Sunday Shots as SSR’s intrepid photographer was capturing the color and the fun of a Smashville Saturday Night.
All photos courtesy
Denise McCann Photography
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Random Notes
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Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 73 points in 65 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by four points. The Blues have a game in hand on Nashville. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 84.7%... the line for making the playoffs in the Western Conference appears to be 91 points as I write this, at that point level, the Predators chances of making the playoffs would be 94-95%.
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Impact Game Warning - San Jose at Winnipeg – The Jets have been on a bit of an uptick lately and trail St. Louis by three points… Games in hand could be in issue however as the Blues hold two on the Jets.
- The announcement of a new ice rink in Bellevue is only the next step in the Predators plans to get more kids (and adults) skating and playing hockey. There are more announcements to come.
- GM meetings get going today… apparently some key issues on the table are goaltender concussion protocol, the bye week and video reviews… and who knows, maybe some trade talk with the Vegas Golden Knight’s GM?
- The bye weeks are done, the records from the team returning from their bye? 10-16-4.
- This may go on for awhile… Chicago and Minnesota are trading places for in the top spot in the Central… the interesting piece of that could be who the opponent might be for that spot. At the conclusion of play Saturday, Chicago had the lead and would’ve played LA in the firtst round with that positioning… helluva reward for winning the division, having to deal with the travel… this bears close watching.
- Four games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6:30pm – NYR @ TBL, BOS @ OTT, DAL @ WSH. 7pm – SJS @ WPG.
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