Paul McCann: Game Night in Smashville - Hello Old Friend

I think all Preds fans hope Forsberg is back tonight, but they aren't bringing him back unless he's 100% ready.

The Preds have lost 100 games to injury, and some solid players at that. Of course, Forsberg, Ellis, Hartnell and Bonino missed some significant time. But they've lost a few games from Arvidsson, Josi, Johansen, and others too.

The silver lining is that the team has found a way to adjust to different line combos and D-pairs, and still be effective. That will pay huge dividends at playoff time. I'm sure there will be some rust, and a few adjustments down the stretch as Laviolette finds the right combos. But it's hard to dislike anything about this Preds team right now. Subban is playing as well as just about any D-man in the league. The Preds roll three lines that are legitimate scoring threats. And they have a two-man goalie tandem that could be the best 1-2 punch in the league.

Really the only thing this Preds team doesn't have is a generational scoring talent (Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, etc.). But only a handful of teams get one of those guys, and they don't always guarantee success anyway.

Let's go Predators. Ramp it up & close this season with a bang!

Let me beat the Hawk "fans" to the punch lines

{insert comment about screwing your cousin}
{insert comment about the 3 Cups they've won}
{insert comment about being white trash}

Excited for the game tonight, but i have a feeling its gonna be a typical (for this season anyway) post-break poopfest from the Hawks.

I would just like to see the younger players keep developing the rest of the season. Playoffs aren't looking too good, so maybe we miss and get a decent pick or something.

Good luck tonight Preds fans

Let me beat the Hawk "fans" to the punch lines

{insert comment about screwing your cousin}
{insert comment about the 3 Cups they've won}
{insert comment about being white trash}
- benderboots

The comments about being white trash and screwing your cousin are disgusting and uncalled for. The comments about the 3 Cups in the last 8 years (and 6 overall) are valid rival banter.

That being said, you have to understand that most of the turds over on the Blackhawks board are internet sorority sisters who don't like anyone who doesn't post 50 times a day and isn't part of their "click", much less any fan of a division rival.

So, while I understand your post that insinuates that all Blackhawk fans are garbage, I can assure you that all aren't, and even though I hope we kick your tail tonight, I would still buy you a beer and talk hockey after the game.

The comments about being white trash and screwing your cousin are disgusting and uncalled for. The comments about the 3 Cups in the last 8 years (and 6 overall) are valid rival banter.

That being said, you have to understand that most of the turds over on the Blackhawks board are internet sorority sisters who don't like anyone who doesn't post 50 times a day and isn't part of their "click", much less any fan of a division rival.

So, while I understand your post that insinuates that all Blackhawk fans are garbage, I can assure you that all aren't, and even though I hope we kick your tail tonight, I would still buy you a beer and talk hockey after the game.
- Katana777

Haha, great description. They are a sensitive bunch, that's for sure.

After reading all of this, it would be funny to see the Hawks dominate and win tonite.

There are plenty of awful fans in every fan base. Even the Preds meager presence on HB has produced a couple of idiots who acted like last year's playoff run immediately made Nashville God's gift to the hockey world. It's maddening. I don't mind a little spirited chatter, and some of the back and forth in the St. Louis series was hilarious and fun. But I'd rather talk real hockey and hear from fans and foes alike. Gives a better perspective on the team.

Hawks fans have every right to tout their recent cup success, but those things change, and teams can fall hard and fast. Ask the Red Wings. It can be brutal.

The Preds are the better and more complete team right now, and have been for a couple of seasons. But Chicago has a couple of stars, who at their peak, are better than anyone that's ever taken the ice for Nashville. Those guys can still take over a game at times - and just might do it tonight.

The one benefit for this fan in the Preds rising, and Chicago falling off a bit, is that we have far fewer drunk idiots inside or outside Bridgestone Area tonight making complete fools of themselves. That's good for everyone.

After reading all of this, it would be funny to see the Hawks dominate and win tonite.
- 67hawks

I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

By the way, Forsberg skated with the first line this morning & looks like Saros will be in net.

There are plenty of awful fans in every fan base. Even the Preds meager presence on HB has produced a couple of idiots who acted like last year's playoff run immediately made Nashville God's gift to the hockey world. It's maddening. I don't mind a little spirited chatter, and some of the back and forth in the St. Louis series was hilarious and fun. But I'd rather talk real hockey and hear from fans and foes alike. Gives a better perspective on the team.

Hawks fans have every right to tout their recent cup success, but those things change, and teams can fall hard and fast. Ask the Red Wings. It can be brutal.

The Preds are the better and more complete team right now, and have been for a couple of seasons. But Chicago has a couple of stars, who at their peak, are better than anyone that's ever taken the ice for Nashville. Those guys can still take over a game at times - and just might do it tonight.

The one benefit for this fan in the Preds rising, and Chicago falling off a bit, is that we have far fewer drunk idiots inside or outside Bridgestone Area tonight making complete fools of themselves. That's good for everyone.
- holycow_75

Who's the preds 4th line center?

By the way, Forsberg skated with the first line this morning & looks like Saros will be in net.
- holycow_75

Seen Saros' highlights of a couple gem games, has he been that good or is the tremendous D in front of him making his life easy?

Seen Saros' highlights of a couple gem games, has he been that good or is the tremendous D in front of him making his life easy?
- BlazinMike

Sissons is the 4th line center (usually). Preds have a couple guys that can fill that role if Sissons has to play up a line.

In Saros' recent success, the D hasn't been what I would call outstanding. Obviously, Nashville's D is one of the best in the league, so he's getting better D support than the average goaltender, even when the Preds D isn't at their best. That said, Laviolette and Poile have managed him brilliantly, getting him some work in the AHL during bye week and long breaks, and gradually increasing his NHL workload in select spots. Rinne is better with the glove, stopping shots from the point, and playing the puck. Saros is much better in close, and makes great adjustments under heavy pressure.

There are plenty of awful fans in every fan base. Even the Preds meager presence on HB has produced a couple of idiots who acted like last year's playoff run immediately made Nashville God's gift to the hockey world. It's maddening. I don't mind a little spirited chatter, and some of the back and forth in the St. Louis series was hilarious and fun. But I'd rather talk real hockey and hear from fans and foes alike. Gives a better perspective on the team.

Hawks fans have every right to tout their recent cup success, but those things change, and teams can fall hard and fast. Ask the Red Wings. It can be brutal.

The Preds are the better and more complete team right now, and have been for a couple of seasons. But Chicago has a couple of stars, who at their peak, are better than anyone that's ever taken the ice for Nashville. Those guys can still take over a game at times - and just might do it tonight.


- holycow_75

This year, yes... Last year, in the playoffs you smoked us, but ironically not only did we win the division last year (regular season), we also were number 1 seed in the conference. It just goes to show that getting hot at the right time (mid April) can really have an effect on how success is perceived.

I have always said, there is a Presidents Trophy and a Stanley Cup... and one is slightly more important than the other.

By the way, Forsberg skated with the first line this morning & looks like Saros will be in net.
- holycow_75

Thanks for the info. New Preds blogger !

Sissons is the 4th line center (usually). Preds have a couple guys that can fill that role if Sissons has to play up a line.

In Saros' recent success, the D hasn't been what I would call outstanding. Obviously, Nashville's D is one of the best in the league, so he's getting better D support than the average goaltender, even when the Preds D isn't at their best. That said, Laviolette and Poile have managed him brilliantly, getting him some work in the AHL during bye week and long breaks, and gradually increasing his NHL workload in select spots. Rinne is better with the glove, stopping shots from the point, and playing the puck. Saros is much better in close, and makes great adjustments under heavy pressure.
- holycow_75

Good info, thank you. Sounds like Saros is being groomed to eventually take over

Good info, thank you. Sounds like Saros is being groomed to eventually take over
- BlazinMike

Next year is the last of Rinne's deal. I would expect them to split games 60/40 (Rinne/Saros). Then, if Preds can re-sign Rinne for a couple more years at a discount, they could gradually shift the full workload over to Saros. That's in a perfect world. If Rinne plays well again next year, he could probably get some good money on a 2/3 year deal on the open market - but I don't think the Preds would be big spenders on an over 35 goaltender with Saros ready to take on the #1 spot.

That's my take anyway.

Let me beat the Hawk "fans" to the punch lines

{insert comment about screwing your cousin}
{insert comment about the 3 Cups they've won}
{insert comment about being white trash}
- benderboots

As a life-long Blackhawks’ fan, I see only two things to criticize the Predators. In no particular order, I find the yellow-on yellow home uniforms distasteful and unimaginative. They look like the team was pulling the tops and bottoms from a bargain basement bin and the yellow tops and bottoms were each the cheapest they could come up with. On the other hand, I think the travel uniforms, with the yellow on-white look are very nice. They look good and the colors go well together.

Second, the policy of trying to limit ticket sales to a particular geographic area is bush league at best. Leave it to the NHL to allow this policy to stand. I can’t imagine any other professional sport discriminating against fans from other cities like this.

The next time someone making the cousin or white trash jokes has an intelligent thought, I’m guessing it will be the first time they had an intelligent thought. These types of comments are uncalled for and inappropriate. These are stereotypical comments that have no reason to be stated. It’s just ignorants showing their ignorance. These people should follow the old adage: “it’s better to be quiet and let people think you are stupid than to speak up and prove you are.”

The Preds put a big hurt on the Hawks last year. Many fans, myself included, didn’t see it coming — at least that thoroughly — and are still having a hard time accepting it. The Hawks were so good for do long that it is hard to accept where they are today.

The Preds have a good team. They have earned where they are today and look set up for a good run over the next several years.

Hope tonight’s game is entertaining and, as always, that no one on either side gets hurt.

Well that was pretty embarrassing for a Trashville team to lose to an "irrelevant" team in the Blackhawks! Congratulations Paul.....you just continue to embarrass yourself and fragile mental state of the team and franchise! Now I'll go back and have a beer in one of my Cups!

Well that was pretty embarrassing for a Trashville team to lose to an "irrelevant" team in the Blackhawks! Congratulations Paul.....you just continue to embarrass yourself and fragile mental state of the team and franchise! Now I'll go back and have a beer in one of my Cups!
- jockitch

Hey bud, unless you've been on the Blackhawks roster in the past 8-10 years, you don't have a cup. I doubt you've ever been within 100 feet of it. I get your point, Chicago has a deeper history with more success than the Preds. Who can even argue that?

I don't think the team and franchise has a fragile mental state at all. I think they are built for sustained success, and they are very comfortable with who they are. Forsberg had the game of his life last night. Good on him. Chicago still has a very long road to the playoffs. They could certainly make it, but the odds aren't in their favor. The only reason they are "relevant" to the Preds is that it was 2 points up for grabs. Past that, they really don't matter. The season series is over. Preds got 5 points in the series. Blackhawks got 4. Good series of good games. But it's over now!