I know its a long shot but I still feel like Nashville can take this series. BUT They MUST WIN THE NEXT TWO. Either way NSH is catching a lot of heat from the press and it is well deserved. I would have loved to hear Trotz excuses after last night, b/c he is clearly being out coached AGAIN.
We have the fire power, we have the defense and we have the goalie, but they dont have the will.
- PREDX1

Which is more of a long shot...winning 3 in a row against Detroit including 2 at the Joe, or winning 4 out of 5 against Phoenix including 3 chances at home?

Trotz isn't getting out-coached. The players are getting out-played, out-hustled, and out-desired. His coaching wasn't the difference in the third period of Game 1..the players were the difference. Last night's game was one of the best all-around efforts I've seen from any opponent against the Preds in recent years (including the losses to the Canucks last year). They had us on our heals most of the game. Give credit where it's due...the Coyotes played a nearly perfect game against us. They weren't a Division Champion this year because of luck.

I personally think the biggest challenge for the Preds is that we were built more to defeat the Red Wings, Blackhawks, Sharks, and Canucks than we were to beat the Yotes, Kings, or Blues. It is what it is...but I still believe the roster we have is capable of winning 12 more games this post season, as long as they play desperate, passionate, motivated, smart hockey...oh yeah, and we bury the phenominal scoring chances that we generate by playing to Trotz's game plan. Put the puck in the open net...

But Goose has already matched Smithsons point total and had a better faceoff %.....we already have Smithson on the team (only better). I just dont see how the idea of Smithson over Legwand would be beneficial to the team.

And I CANT BELIEVE IM DEFENDING LEGGY - cant stand that guy......

BTW - I think the only numbers that matter is the final when the horn blows.....

Im constatnly amazed how this this town has a love affair with these marginal players. Whats going to happen when Tootoo leaves?
- buelleo

I'm not attached to Smitty at all. I just have a deep hatred against Leggy and all of his rookie mistakes/penalties/giveaways. He goes from his piss-poor performance in games 1 and 3 vs. DET and plays well in 4 & 5....back to this.

How much line shake-up will occur? I say...some. I hope to see the following lines in Wednesday night's game:

33-15-47
46-11-74
10-12-57
27-28-13

6-20
75-59
8-51

I know this probably won't happen. But good grief. Trotz has got to do something to get them going. Will be interested to see what kinds of messages he sends with his practice lines tomorrow.

Klein and Josi together is a disaster. The fact that Trotz let them back on the ice over and over again despite Phoenix continually scoring while they were present speaks a lot about the coaching staff's ability to adjust accordingly.

I don't know why Klein and Josi were ever paired together. It should be Klein/Bouillon and Gill/Josi.
- Predaceous

No crap. Why the hell were they paired together to begin with? A trained monkey could see that they are horrific together based on experiences from the regular season. What makes Trotz think this will miraculously fix itself in the f-ing postseason? At the very least, they should have been broken up after the 2nd Phoenix goal when they were both following the same player and left the trailing player WIDE open. Inexcusable for any professional hockey player in the playoffs, rookie or not.

Sleeping that crapfest off last night has not made me feel much better. I'm still furious that this team doesn't seem to realize the opportunity it has this year. I'm not sure they'll wake up before it's too late. I want to be wrong and they can change my mind by coming out flying on Wednesday. But until then, that pathetic effort will be fresh in my mind, and the most bothersome thing is that most of these guys (cough...Legwand...cough) make millions of dollars to play a game. How can you not put forth your very best effort in the freaking playoffs?

I've heard that he's dumb as a box of rocks, but I've never met the guy. He drives me nuts because he's capable of so much more. That makes three times he's closed his hand on the puck in the defensive zone. He's never been called for a penalty which is lucky. Twice he was in the crease.
- Predaceous

I don't think he is capable of doing anything better he is what he is and he sucks.
Poor decision making, poor execution, poor puck control, how many more chances do u get?? How many years has he had to improve???

Which is more of a long shot...winning 3 in a row against Detroit including 2 at the Joe, or winning 4 out of 5 against Phoenix including 3 chances at home?

Trotz isn't getting out-coached. The players are getting out-played, out-hustled, and out-desired. His coaching wasn't the difference in the third period of Game 1..the players were the difference. Last night's game was one of the best all-around efforts I've seen from any opponent against the Preds in recent years (including the losses to the Canucks last year). They had us on our heals most of the game. Give credit where it's due...the Coyotes played a nearly perfect game against us. They weren't a Division Champion this year because of luck.

I personally think the biggest challenge for the Preds is that we were built more to defeat the Red Wings, Blackhawks, Sharks, and Canucks than we were to beat the Yotes, Kings, or Blues. It is what it is...but I still believe the roster we have is capable of winning 12 more games this post season, as long as they play desperate, passionate, motivated, smart hockey...oh yeah, and we bury the phenominal scoring chances that we generate by playing to Trotz's game plan. Put the puck in the open net...
- famousjon

Starting Klein and Josi together, and then to make things worse, leaving them together when anyone with half a brain could tell it was a nightmare, is an inexcusable coaching decision, unbelievable to be honest.

I did not want this match-up to begin with b/c Trotz has always struggled against Tippett. The Stars for the most part owned the Preds when he coached there. That being said, the Preds are doing a fine job of self-destructing. My WTF? meter went off about 25 times last night. Game 3 is a crucial "must win" game, or it's over.

Starting Klein and Josi together, and then to make things worse, leaving them together when anyone with half a brain could tell it was a nightmare, is an inexcusable coaching decision, unbelievable to be honest.
- sigep predfan

I didn't get that either. Somebody already mentioned it, but Cube/Klein and Gill/Josi has worked wonders in the past.

I don't think he is capable of doing anything better he is what he is and he sucks.
Poor decision making, poor execution, poor puck control, how many more chances do u get?? How many years has he had to improve???
- PREDX1

Legwand is what he is. An overrated oaf who will occasionally decide to play like he is capable of playing, which is usually only once every 4 or 5 games. He is not a $4.5 million per year player, far from it actually.

When paul's next blog comes out I expect to hear about trotz' blistering of this team after last night *game*.

I did not want this match-up to begin with b/c Trotz has always struggled against Tippett. The Stars for the most part owned the Preds when he coached there. That being said, the Preds are doing a fine job of self-destructing. My WTF? meter went off about 25 times last night. Game 3 is a crucial "must win" game, or it's over.
- Polecat

My WTF? meter registered a new level of shock when Legwand went full retard and threw the puck directly in front of Rinne. Seriously, that kind of performance from me at my job would have my ass canned in an instant. It's equivalent to severe malpractice. Legwand better be glad Rinne doesn't appear to be a mean person, because he might get decapitated next time he does something even approaching that level of idiocy.

My WTF? meter registered a new level of shock when Legwand went full retard and threw the puck directly in front of Rinne. Seriously, that kind of performance from me at my job would have my ass canned in an instant. It's equivalent to severe malpractice. Legwand better be glad Rinne doesn't appear to be a mean person, because he might get decapitated next time he does something even approaching that level of idiocy.
- sigep predfan

Frank and beans!!! LOL!!

How much line shake-up will occur? I say...some. I hope to see the following lines in Wednesday night's game:

33-15-47
46-11-74
10-12-57
27-28-13

6-20
75-59
8-51

I know this probably won't happen. But good grief. Trotz has got to do something to get them going. Will be interested to see what kinds of messages he sends with his practice lines tomorrow.
- holycow_75

no way in hell that no-neck would put 33-15-47 on ice together. they dont play defense enough for his taste. of course no one did that last night so ........

Legwand's seemingly blank expressions while on the ice can drive me up a wall when accompanied by bad play. Many times it's as though he doesn't care - no visible passion or noticeable desire to win. I don't know whether that's definitively true but it often seems that way. I've defended him at times but only when deserved. Hasn't been much of that lately.

Like most stats (which admittedly I do like) they can been an absolute joke if not taken in context with the whole picture. The supposedly fabled Corsi is no exception.

Did you see the dumb look on Legwand's face when he tossed the puck in front of Rinne? I guess I was reading too much into it but all I saw was a doofus expression
- blueline

Let's face it folks, and I've heard it said from people in the know, Leggy is not a smart guy. There is no other explanation for why BT continues to play him unless he has too much compassion for his lack of mental agility given his own situation. I mean really people, Legwand is costing this team every time he's on the ice. His fluke good moves just don't compensate for his idiotic play. Maybe its all that money they gave him. Biggest mistake ever made by the powers that be. We're in trouble.

Lets face it this series is over. This team does not have the determination or grit to comeback from being down 0-2. The way they played in Game 2 is perplexing considering how well the played in the 2nd half of Game 1 and in the previous series against Detriot. Our "leaders", I am looking at you Fisher, Weber and especially Suter (looking forward to UFA) have looked like they have checked out. This team is not handling the pressure of being the favorite, from the players to the coaches. Poile has done everything in his power to make this team a "serious" cup contender or so we thought and Trotz doesn't know how to coach a team with offensive ability. It is really sad, frustrating and depressing to think that in a few short days this very promising season/post season could be over. Lets face it this was our year and with so many unknowns in the offseason it may have been our only chance. Here is to the rumors being true that the ownership is willing to spend to the cap and trying to make a run next year.

I was so angry after that game that I shaved!
They are not getting my help anymore.

I have tremendous faith in our boys....

I believe that they will win game 3, and cary the momentum over to game 4 for another win....and then head back to the desert with the series tied at 2-2. Where's the faith preds fans?

I have tremendous faith in our boys....

I believe that they will win game 3, and cary the momentum over to game 4 for another win....and then head back to the desert with the series tied at 2-2. Where's the faith preds fans?
- TheOne

+1000!!!

GO PREDS!!

I have tremendous faith in our boys....

I believe that they will win game 3, and cary the momentum over to game 4 for another win....and then head back to the desert with the series tied at 2-2. Where's the faith preds fans?
- TheOne

+100000

I have tremendous faith in our boys....

I believe that they will win game 3, and cary the momentum over to game 4 for another win....and then head back to the desert with the series tied at 2-2. Where's the faith preds fans?
- TheOne

Did you watch last nights game? That effort and show case of skills by the Preds made me want to slap someone's mamma. (see smokey and the bandit for joke, that is if you didn't get the reference)

Wasnt that the pairings during the season?
- buelleo

Yes it was, and we allknow that Klein and Cube play best when paired together. The whole reason Cube got a mohawk was to show solidarity with his defensive partner. Klein!

Geez, I'm glad the team has a million times more faith and determination than some of the posters on here. How many times this year have these boards been filled with doom and gloom? This summer, when Sullivan, Ward, etc walked it was "I can't believe Poile let them go; he doesn't have a clue; this team is gonna suck". When they hit a rough patch after the All-Star break it was "well here they go, they had a chance to win the division and now they're probably gonna miss the playoffs". Now this.

Every time they stumble, the glass half empty crowd comes out screaming that the sky is falling, and every time this team and coaching staff have proved them wrong. When are people gonna learn?

If you're ready to give up on this team at this point, do the real fans a favor and GIVE UP! Stop watching, stop cheering, and for god's sake stop coming on here and b!tching about it. Your act has grown tired and we don't want or need you! No wonder Lethargic never posts here any more. Richard Simmons could get depressed on this board!



Rant over ... and I'm sure, back to usual here.

Lets face it this series is over. This team does not have the determination or grit to comeback from being down 0-2. The way they played in Game 2 is perplexing considering how well the played in the 2nd half of Game 1 and in the previous series against Detriot. Our "leaders", I am looking at you Fisher, Weber and especially Suter (looking forward to UFA) have looked like they have checked out. This team is not handling the pressure of being the favorite, from the players to the coaches. Poile has done everything in his power to make this team a "serious" cup contender or so we thought and Trotz doesn't know how to coach a team with offensive ability. It is really sad, frustrating and depressing to think that in a few short days this very promising season/post season could be over. Lets face it this was our year and with so many unknowns in the offseason it may have been our only chance. Here is to the rumors being true that the ownership is willing to spend to the cap and trying to make a run next year.
- PredsFan8

I'm not buying this at all. Preds are still very capable of winning this series. I'm not giving up on them now. They've been making comebacks all season. This will just be one more.

Geez, I'm glad the team has a million times more faith and determination than some of the posters on here. How many times this year have these boards been filled with doom and gloom? This summer, when Sullivan, Ward, etc walked it was "I can't believe Poile let them go; he doesn't have a clue; this team is gonna suck". When they hit a rough patch after the All-Star break it was "well here they go, they had a chance to win the division and now they're probably gonna miss the playoffs". Now this.

Every time they stumble, the glass half empty crowd comes out screaming that the sky is falling, and every time this team and coaching staff have proved them wrong. When are people gonna learn?A

If you're ready to give up on this team at this point, do the real fans a favor and GIVE UP! Stop watching, stop cheering, and for god's sake stop coming on here and b!tching about it. Your act has grown tired and we don't want or need you! No wonder Lethargic never posts here any more. Richard Simmons could get depressed on this board!



Rant over ... and I'm sure, back to usual here.
- preds24

The best response to this type of post was given a while ago and it was " sorry we all don't fart sunshine". no offense to you btw
I don't think complaining about the teams efforts should ever call into a persons support of this team. It's frustration.
I have to admit I think most of the doom and gloom are premature.
Game 1 was close, game 2 was a knockout. But Nsh hasn't done anything to help boost fans confidence on an off the ice. It's the same mistakes every game

The Preds have yet to put together a good 60 minutes - better yet 40 minutes - against this Coyotes team. Don't want to take anything away from PHX, because they are playing great, but that's just it... they are playing GREAT, we are playing uninspired, miserable hockey. Even Tippet said it was the best game he's ever seen them play last night.

That being said, this series is far from over. I won't be surprised to see Nashville take the next two, but, again, that is not to take anything away from PHX and the team that they have.