Paul McCann: Review / Preview of Back to Back

Hutton was not good last night. He's been serviceable at times the last couple of years. And usually he lets in one "groaner" per night. Last night, he allowed 2 goals most AHL level goalies would not have allowed. It's brutal, but it's true. If Pekka is in the game, that one is 4-2 Preds every day of the week. But, the Preds have gotten 6 of 10 points with him in net, so all is not lost.

I mentioned this on yesterday's thread, but it became even more clear last night that the Preds are missing Ryan Ellis. Two years ago, I would have never dreamed I'd make a statement like that about Ryan Ellis. Bartley isn't bad for a 6th D-man, but Jones & Volchenkov had developed a pretty good chemistry playing together.

Strange to see a rumor about Kimmo Timmonen returning to the Preds. Can't see where that fits unless the Preds are trading back a Defenseman. And if they trade anyone other than Bartley or Volchenkov, they better get something else back besides an aging Kimmo. (Not that it would hurt my feelings to see him back in the blue & gold!).

If Steve Ott and Ryan Reaves score goals in the same game, you don't deserve to win.

Kudos for earning the loser point, Preds are a really, really good squad.

If Steve Ott and Ryan Reaves score goals in the same game, you don't deserve to win.

Kudos for earning the loser point, Preds are a really, really good squad.
- bcallaway

That's a good point. These are both good squads. Elliott was fantastic the last 10 minutes of the game dealing with a full on press from the Preds and only allowing 1 goal. He made several great saves. Here's hoping everyone stays healthy & the Preds don't see the blues again until the WC Finals!

If Steve Ott and Ryan Reaves score goals in the same game, you don't deserve to win.

Kudos for earning the loser point, Preds are a really, really good squad.
- bcallaway

Agreed. Hutton is decent on the initial saves. It's the rebounds he's leaving in front of the net instead of angling them to the corners. That's what's the killer. Also, the goal he gave up to Reaves was pathetic. Hard to complain though.... he's done his job. Just need Rinne back soon.

Hutton was not good last night. He's been serviceable at times the last couple of years. And usually he lets in one "groaner" per night. Last night, he allowed 2 goals most AHL level goalies would not have allowed. It's brutal, but it's true. If Pekka is in the game, that one is 4-2 Preds every day of the week. But, the Preds have gotten 6 of 10 points with him in net, so all is not lost.

I mentioned this on yesterday's thread, but it became even more clear last night that the Preds are missing Ryan Ellis. Two years ago, I would have never dreamed I'd make a statement like that about Ryan Ellis. Bartley isn't bad for a 6th D-man, but Jones & Volchenkov had developed a pretty good chemistry playing together.

Strange to see a rumor about Kimmo Timmonen returning to the Preds. Can't see where that fits unless the Preds are trading back a Defenseman. And if they trade anyone other than Bartley or Volchenkov, they better get something else back besides an aging Kimmo. (Not that it would hurt my feelings to see him back in the blue & gold!).
- holycow_75

So Hutton made a ton of huge saves last night. Out of the 4 goals, 1 was his fault. Reaves had no business scoring on a slapper that didn't leave the ice and beat him 5 hole. The other three goals were all defensive break downs. It was described as one of the worst defensive games we have played all year by a few Preds analysts.

I still think we win with Pekka in net, but that game is the defense's fault, not Huttons. And yes we are desperately missing Ellis.

I would love to have Kimmo back, imagine this.

Weber - Josi
Ellis - Jones
Kimmo - Ekholm
Volchenkov as your spare.

Of course, there are also rumors of a trade with the Leafs for Phil Kessel, which could involve Jones.

Oh, and by the way, I watched the game on about a 45 minute delay on my DVR (I have DirecTV). My wife was sick last night & half-asleep on the couch when I turned on the game. The way my surround sound is set up, the audio feed of the moans and groans were loudest on the speaker closest to my wife.

She sat up on the couch & scolded me, thinking I had turned on Cinemax or bought some kind of PPV adult movie. We don't have Cinemax & I've never ordered an adult movie anyway. It was hilarious. She made me run it back & listen again after the kids went to bed.

I asked if all that groaning got her in the mood. She reminded me she was sick. The Preds weren't the only ones who lost last night.

2 fairly equal teams........ but I disagree about the bounces going the Blues way last night. Did you not see Fisher's goal off the back glass and then Elliott's back and into the net? Talk about a freak bounce(s).

Also class act by the Preds for congratulating Mary Brodeur pregame.

2 fairly equal teams........ but I disagree about the bounces going the Blues way last night. Did you not see Fisher's goal off the back glass and then Elliott's back and into the net? Talk about a freak bounce(s).

Also class act by the Preds for congratulating Mary Brodeur pregame.
- Blues65

I agree, not bounces, just Blues players being in the right spot and not being defended. That being said, with Pekka in, we probably win that game.

2 fairly equal teams........ but I disagree about the bounces going the Blues way last night. Did you not see Fisher's goal off the back glass and then Elliott's back and into the net? Talk about a freak bounce(s).

Also class act by the Preds for congratulating Mary Brodeur pregame.
- Blues65

They were bounces...right off of Hutton's leg pads into the slot. He sucks royal.

Hutton was not good last night. He's been serviceable at times the last couple of years. And usually he lets in one "groaner" per night. Last night, he allowed 2 goals most AHL level goalies would not have allowed. It's brutal, but it's true. If Pekka is in the game, that one is 4-2 Preds every day of the week. But, the Preds have gotten 6 of 10 points with him in net, so all is not lost.

I mentioned this on yesterday's thread, but it became even more clear last night that the Preds are missing Ryan Ellis. Two years ago, I would have never dreamed I'd make a statement like that about Ryan Ellis. Bartley isn't bad for a 6th D-man, but Jones & Volchenkov had developed a pretty good chemistry playing together.

Strange to see a rumor about Kimmo Timmonen returning to the Preds. Can't see where that fits unless the Preds are trading back a Defenseman. And if they trade anyone other than Bartley or Volchenkov, they better get something else back besides an aging Kimmo. (Not that it would hurt my feelings to see him back in the blue & gold!).
- holycow_75

Right on the money on all. I said at the beginning, (even when Crispy said move him to a forward because he is too small for D-man) Ellis is good. You don't win every award there is in Canada Jr's and not be any good.

Oh, and by the way, I watched the game on about a 45 minute delay on my DVR (I have DirecTV). My wife was sick last night & half-asleep on the couch when I turned on the game. The way my surround sound is set up, the audio feed of the moans and groans were loudest on the speaker closest to my wife.

She sat up on the couch & scolded me, thinking I had turned on Cinemax or bought some kind of PPV adult movie. We don't have Cinemax & I've never ordered an adult movie anyway. It was hilarious. She made me run it back & listen again after the kids went to bed.

I asked if all that groaning got her in the mood. She reminded me she was sick. The Preds weren't the only ones who lost last night.
- holycow_75

Funny thing is this team needs a Devan Dubnyak and Michael Del Zotto type of player's right now.

So Hutton made a ton of huge saves last night. Out of the 4 goals, 1 was his fault. Reaves had no business scoring on a slapper that didn't leave the ice and beat him 5 hole. The other three goals were all defensive break downs. It was described as one of the worst defensive games we have played all year by a few Preds analysts.

I still think we win with Pekka in net, but that game is the defense's fault, not Huttons. And yes we are desperately missing Ellis.

I would love to have Kimmo back, imagine this.

Weber - Josi
Ellis - Jones
Kimmo - Ekholm
Volchenkov as your spare.

Of course, there are also rumors of a trade with the Leafs for Phil Kessel, which could involve Jones.
- jl639s

Unfortunately for Hutton, he's being paid to be an NHL goaltender not a beer league goaltender. He has to make some of those saves. You can only keep saying "It's not Hutton's fault" so much when he's constantly giving up four goals a game.

I personally thought Maz had a much better game against Colorado than Hutton's had in any game this year. I'd rather have Maz in there against Pittsburgh than Hutton.

The Preds play half a season with Pekka and never lost two games in a row. Pekka gets hurt and already that has happened twice.

Has anybody heard what the prognosis is for Ellis? They were to re-evaluate at the All Star break.

Has anybody heard what the prognosis is for Ellis? They were to re-evaluate at the All Star break.
- PredManDan

At that time he was still two weeks away.

The Preds play half a season with Pekka and never lost two games in a row. Pekka gets hurt and already that has happened twice.
- PredManDan

When's he supposed to be back?

When's he supposed to be back?
- YzermanIsTheMan

They're still holding to the 3-5 week timeline. We're going on week 3 now.

They're still holding to the 3-5 week timeline. We're going on week 3 now.
- Predaceous

Need him back. Can finally root for my new home team now that the Wings are out of the same division/conference.

Unfortunately for Hutton, he's being paid to be an NHL goaltender not a beer league goaltender. He has to make some of those saves. You can only keep saying "It's not Hutton's fault" so much when he's constantly giving up four goals a game.

I personally thought Maz had a much better game against Colorado than Hutton's had in any game this year. I'd rather have Maz in there against Pittsburgh than Hutton.
- Predaceous

Say what you want but the games against Colorado and St Louis the defense poop the bed several times. You are expecting Peka play and thats unrealistic. If Carey Price were to go down, MTL would be in the same position as we are now. There aren't many teams with two starting goalies. Life of a Salary Cap League.

OMG. Please bench Hutton before things get out of hand. He sucks!!!! Play anyone but Hutton. Please, please, PLEASE!!!!

You know he sucks so bad.....he may just go out and get us a FREAKING SHUTOUT ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE PENS!!!!

You all Negative Nancys can take your foot out of your mouth now. He's plenty good to keep us where we need to be until Pekka returns and without us mortgaging any of our future on a trade we don't need to make.

The sky isn't falling. Keep calm and trust Poile!

OMG. Please bench Hutton before things get out of hand. He sucks!!!! Play anyone but Hutton. Please, please, PLEASE!!!!

You know he sucks so bad.....he may just go out and get us a FREAKING SHUTOUT ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE PENS!!!!

You all Negative Nancys can take your foot out of your mouth now. He's plenty good to keep us where we need to be until Pekka returns and without us mortgaging any of our future on a trade we don't need to make.

The sky isn't falling. Keep calm and trust Poile!
- Southstar

Hutton faced 5 shots in the first and 5 shots in the third. He deserves credit for doing his job, but he didn't get us that shut out. That was a team shutout.

Hutton faced 5 shots in the first and 5 shots in the third. He deserves credit for doing his job, but he didn't get us that shut out. That was a team shutout.
- Vegas Trotzkies

Completely agree. Weber was the big force on defense tonight, he took away almost every chance the Penguins had when he was on the ice. He should be credited with the shut out.

Completely agree. Weber was the big force on defense tonight, he took away almost every chance the Penguins had when he was on the ice. He should be credited with the shut out.
- YzermanIsTheMan

Oh I see, when the the D steps up its the D that gets the credit, but when the D doesn't step up, it's Hutton's fault.

Okay, I totally get it. I assure you that I'm not insinuating that Hutton is taking us anywhere special. But all this Hutton bashing isn't warranted.

Oh I see, when the the D steps up its the D that gets the credit, but when the D doesn't step up, it's Hutton's fault.

Okay, I totally get it. I assure you that I'm not insinuating that Hutton is taking us anywhere special. But all this Hutton bashing isn't warranted.
- Southstar

I'm not bashing Hutton, but he did his job this game. Even Scrivens had a 50+ shutout. This was not one of those games. The defense really pulled their weight this game against an offensive juggernaut, though.