This team is really something. It's like an odd, flaming ball of amazingness - never knowing what you will get on a given night. Some nights they play super-fast and dominate with a high skill game. Other nights, they play a tight defensive system and really shut down quality chances for the opponent. Then other nights, they play a rope-a-dope strategy with a little nasty, chippy element to their game. It's just crazy.
They are going to have 16 skaters with at least 20 points. SIXTEEN!!!! That's crazy. That's 2-3 more than any of the other top teams in the league will have. Essentially, all 12 of their starting forwards, and their top 4 D-men all will have more than 20 points this year. I think that's why they are so tough to beat.
A good team can shut down a line or two. But then you've got to face a 3rd line that's going to push 100 points on the season. And a fourth line that's going to push 75 or 80.
Or, can an opponent withstand 50 minutes of ice time from 4 D-men who are going to combine for 160 points in the regular season, averaging half a point per game? (Even more if you consider Ellis missed half the season).
This team does not have a Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid or the like. But they are so deep, and are getting such timely goaltending - it seems like they could win any game, against any team. Even if they spot them a couple of soft goals. It's crazy. I don't envy Laviolette, in that he is going to have to sit 2-3 guys each night that deserve to be playing. But if the guys continue to check their egos and do their jobs, this team is going to be very tough for anyone to knock off. Can it happen? Of course. Things can go sideways in a hurry. But I don't think this team has played it's best games yet. And that's a heartwarming thought for this Preds fan!!
This team is really something. It's like an odd, flaming ball of amazingness - never knowing what you will get on a given night. Some nights they play super-fast and dominate with a high skill game. Other nights, they play a tight defensive system and really shut down quality chances for the opponent. Then other nights, they play a rope-a-dope strategy with a little nasty, chippy element to their game. It's just crazy.
They are going to have 16 skaters with at least 20 points. SIXTEEN!!!! That's crazy. That's 2-3 more than any of the other top teams in the league will have. Essentially, all 12 of their starting forwards, and their top 4 D-men all will have more than 20 points this year. I think that's why they are so tough to beat.
A good team can shut down a line or two. But then you've got to face a 3rd line that's going to push 100 points on the season. And a fourth line that's going to push 75 or 80.
Or, can an opponent withstand 50 minutes of ice time from 4 D-men who are going to combine for 160 points in the regular season, averaging half a point per game? (Even more if you consider Ellis missed half the season).
This team does not have a Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid or the like. But they are so deep, and are getting such timely goaltending - it seems like they could win any game, against any team. Even if they spot them a couple of soft goals. It's crazy. I don't envy Laviolette, in that he is going to have to sit 2-3 guys each night that deserve to be playing. But if the guys continue to check their egos and do their jobs, this team is going to be very tough for anyone to knock off. Can it happen? Of course. Things can go sideways in a hurry. But I don't think this team has played it's best games yet. And that's a heartwarming thought for this Preds fan!!
I actually wouldn't disagree with that take. I think the Preds are a little bit deeper down the lineup, but the Jets' team make-up is very similar. Which is why those two teams sit comfortably atop the toughest division in the NHL (in my opinion).
I actually wouldn't disagree with that take. I think the Preds are a little bit deeper down the lineup, but the Jets' team make-up is very similar. Which is why those two teams sit comfortably atop the toughest division in the NHL (in my opinion). - holycow_75
agreed, I'm just looking forward to getting our 2 centers back and Trouba!! hopefully we meet in the 2nd round, will be a great series
agreed, I'm just looking forward to getting our 2 centers back and Trouba!! hopefully we meet in the 2nd round, will be a great series - Ross77
I think the Preds have the advantage with Rinne in net and deeper with defense. Jets have the stronger offense. Regardless, those two teams I fear the most in the west.
On the ensuing faceoff, Kesler jumped Johansen to try and get a fight going. - pmccann
I'm a Nashville fan and have no love for Kesler, but this is just wrong. Johansen dropped his gloves first and actually came at Kesler on the faceoff. There was no "jumping" by Kesler.
I'm a Nashville fan and have no love for Kesler, but this is just wrong. Johansen dropped his gloves first and actually came at Kesler on the faceoff. There was no "jumping" by Kesler.
Nashville fan here too...and I agree Ryjo started that fight and was stupid. You are not going to take Kessler in a fight plus don't need you out with a concussion (sorry Paul but took a decent shot to the jaw) or a broken hand. Get back at him/them on the scoreboard which is what they did.
"The silly fight (Kesler) started late in the second period along with his idiotic “turtling” mime act after the officials broke it up was supposed to help…"
-McCann
Wow! I hope Nashville gets a blogger who actually watches the game. Your fans deserve it. My son and I were talking about going to Nashville for a Kings game just so we could experience the amazing fans in Nashville and root for their team with them.
That said, anyone who watched last night's game knows Johansen jumped Kesler without warning. Then Johansen turtled after Kesler finally was able to get his gloves off. What kind of a hockey player jumps a guy then turtles? Kesler was showing his disapproval by mocking Johansen. Anyone who has been watching hockey for a while knows that was bush-league stuff. If you want to fight, tell the guy, then drop the gloves and go at it.
In the grand scheme of things, none of this matters. The Predators are a pretty amazing-looking team this season. Injuries or something ridiculous are the only things that should get in the way of a return trip to the finals. Here's hoping these two teams meet again in the postseason.
Wow! I hope Nashville gets a blogger who actually watches the game. Your fans deserve it. My son and I were talking about going to Nashville for a Kings game just so we could experience the amazing fans in Nashville and root for their team with them.
That said, anyone who watched last night's game knows Johansen jumped Kesler without warning. Then Johansen turtled after Kesler finally was able to get his gloves off. What kind of a hockey player jumps a guy then turtles? Kesler was showing his disapproval by mocking Johansen. Anyone who has been watching hockey for a while knows that was bush-league stuff. If you want to fight, tell the guy, then drop the gloves and go at it.
In the grand scheme of things, none of this matters. The Predators are a pretty amazing-looking team this season. Injuries or something ridiculous are the only things that should get in the way of a return trip to the finals. Here's hoping these two teams meet again in the postseason. - yzermaneely
I so get a kick out of everyone's take depending on what team they root for. You are right, Joey started it and jumped him but he didn't turtle. It's pretty obvious that he lost his balance throwing a missed punch and then got back up after. If he was turttling he would of stayed down.
I so get a kick out of everyone's take depending on what team they root for. You are right, Joey started it and jumped him but he didn't turtle. It's pretty obvious that he lost his balance throwing a missed punch and then got back up after the linesman had full control. - PredChef
There, I fixed it for you. Kesler said he turtled. If that was as fast as Johansen could get up, and he had to wait until the linesman had ahold of Kesler, yikes!
Maybe you're right. Johansen jumped a guy who got the better of him, and he wasn't going to get back up until Kesler stopped throwing bombs. It's still not what you do in hockey. If you start a fight you should hang in there until it ends. See Mark Giordano taking his beating from Josh Manson for his knee-to-knee hit on Fowler if you want to know how a respected hockey player acts.
