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SlapShot Radio's photographer caught all the action last night in Smashville. Click on the picture to see the entire album.
Pictures courtesy
DM Photography
Sorry about the title... I just couldn't resist...
I have watched this Nashville Predators team since day one and I don’t think I have seen more gutsy performances than the ones this team turned in on Friday and Saturday night. The loss at Joe Louis Arena on Friday night was frustrating and disappointing until word broke on Saturday about the food poisoning that swept through the Predators lineup. It appears to have come from a bad batch of chicken soup that the team had as part of their pregame meal in Detroit.
Knowing that players were going down the tunnel between shifts to vomit, then returning to the game is one thing… keeping the game as close as they did is another. Executing the comeback they did as the team got sicker and sicker is almost astounding. The Predators then dominating the defending Stanley Cup champion while missing five key players and multiple players recovering from the illness is just beyond reason.
The Predators 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh at Bridgestone Arena last night was an early season statement game… missing their captain, their all-world goaltender, a key winger and their 4th line center. Nashville called up five players from Milwaukee to take their place, starting the Preds “goaltender of the future” Juuse Saros, getting Austin Watson back in the lineup, getting a look at a couple of training camp stars in Fredrick Gaudreau and Trevor Smith, getting Harry Zolnierczyk into the lineup as a 60+ game NHL vet.
Bridgestone Arena was rather apprehensive as the teams took the ice, not sure what their team would deliver against the Pens… Pittsburgh scoring on the first shot didn’t do much to alleviate their fears and the potential of dropping to 1-4 on the start of the season was staring the team in the face. But then, the team went to work. One of the big stories of the game has to be the performance of Saros in net. He put aside the first goal, then shut down Phil Kessel on a breakaway, robbing the superstar of a sure goal which seemed to fire up the Preds. Saros stopped all 34 shots following the first goal, moving confidently in net, showing an excellent glove and the athleticism he has shown in Milwaukee.
Viktor Arvidsson tied the game up less than 3 minutes after the Pens scored and the game was on.
The Predators used their speed to full advantage against a team that is no slouch in the speed department and it finally began to pay off in the second period as the Predators pasted a four spot on the Pens with two goals from Kevin Fiala, one from Calle Jarnkrok and a second from Arvidsson that effectively put the game away with one of those last minute back breaker goals. Frosty’s and Big Macs for Pred Nation today!
Today is a much needed day off as the team prepares for the annual late-October / early November road trip… Nashville is on the road for 12 days, playing five games including a trip starting three games in four days in California. Wednesday against Anaheim, Thursday against LA and Saturday against San Jose start the trip, the team finishes in Colorado and Arizona before returning home on 11/5 against Carolina.
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Random Notes
- Kevin Fiala posted the first multi-goal game of his career and first two goals of the season last night. You could see the youngster gaining confidence as each shift passed.
- The Predators obviously had a book on Marc-Andre Fluery last night as four of their five goals were blocker side low.
- The Predators power play continues to fire on all cylinders, another PPG last night and the team leads the league with a 47.4% conversion rate.
- Two Predators picked up their first points in Predator Gold last night, Matt Carle posted an assist on Fiala’s first goal and Yannick Weber picked up an assist on Calle Jarnkrok’s goal.
- Pred Nation is well fed today as the win got free coffee at Dunkin Donuts, the four goals got a Frosty at Wendy’s and Arvidsson’s second goal was scored in the Bic Mac Zone at the end of the second period, getting a Big Mac for Pred fans.
- A spectacular Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Dallas last night, especially their honoring and love shown for Dave Strader. Here is a video extending the well wishes of his peers.
- Four games on the NHL schedule today, all time Central – 2pm - EDM @ WPG. 5pm – MIN @ NYI. 6pm – ARI @ NYR. 7pm – VAN @ ANA.
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