Paul McCann: Preds take 3-1 series as filth factor ramps up

Paul McCann: Preds take 3-1 series as filth factor ramps up
- pmccann

Go Preds!

Nashville is one of the more underhanded teams in the league now. They've earned the treatment their getting.

I don't see them getting past Winnipeg, San Jose, or Vegas.

Nashville is one of the more underhanded teams on the league now. They've earned the treatment their getting.

I don't see them getting past Winnipeg, San Jose, or Vegas.
- Slip and slap

SJ and Vegas are beatable. Winnipeg will be difficult.

Winnipeg is a better team than San Jose or Vegas. If Nashville gets past the Jets, they can certainly beat the others. But Nashville still has to take care of the Avs first. I think the Avs are a young scrappy team that is desperately trying to prove they belong. The Preds have been there in the past & went to 6 games with some Detroit & Chicago teams that were the best in the league. The Ducks and Kings are older teams who played without much heart. I think the Vegas/San Jose series is going to be a really good one. It could easily go 7 games.

Hartman was playing over the edge last night, and ended up hurting the team rather than helping. He needs a game to cool off a bit anyway - so if DOPS sits him, I won't complain. I don't think Nashville is some squeaky clean team, but the referees have got to start calling the spearing and cross-checks to the head/neck area. Those are uncalled for. Morrissey got a game for a crosscheck to the head of Staal the other night. What Landeskog did to Eckholm was not far off from that same play...except it happened after the whistle, which seems to make it okay for DOPS? Not sure.

Best case scenario for the Preds tomorrow night is to win a close game that is tight to the end. That way, they don't have a bunch of cheap shots & guys taking liberties because the game is out of hand. For the Preds to have any chance at the cup, they have to emerge from this series healthy.

Winnipeg is a better team than San Jose or Vegas. If Nashville gets past the Jets, they can certainly beat the others. But Nashville still has to take care of the Avs first. I think the Avs are a young scrappy team that is desperately trying to prove they belong. The Preds have been there in the past & went to 6 games with some Detroit & Chicago teams that were the best in the league. The Ducks and Kings are older teams who played without much heart. I think the Vegas/San Jose series is going to be a really good one. It could easily go 7 games.

Hartman was playing over the edge last night, and ended up hurting the team rather than helping. He needs a game to cool off a bit anyway - so if DOPS sits him, I won't complain. I don't think Nashville is some squeaky clean team, but the referees have got to start calling the spearing and cross-checks to the head/neck area. Those are uncalled for. Morrissey got a game for a crosscheck to the head of Staal the other night. What Landeskog did to Eckholm was not far off from that same play...except it happened after the whistle, which seems to make it okay for DOPS? Not sure.

Best case scenario for the Preds tomorrow night is to win a close game that is tight to the end. That way, they don't have a bunch of cheap shots & guys taking liberties because the game is out of hand. For the Preds to have any chance at the cup, they have to emerge from this series healthy.
- holycow_75

In the end that is the issue. Poor officiating and zero consistency from the DoPS isn't helping the league.

SJ and Vegas are beatable. Winnipeg will be difficult.
- bloatedmosquito

All three present their own challenges. I can't see the antics Nashville is pulling with Colorado going over well with Winnipeg though. Johansen spears Byfuglien in the balls, Johansen is going to get hurt.

Your writing is laughable. its not cross checking to the head when your stick never even touches the players face. Tell Ekholm not to slash if he doesnt want to deal with the retaliation. The Hartman hit was as dirty as it gets and its ridiculous that you even try to justify it. Also tell Johansen to tape his skates and stay on his feet. that hit was never a bad hit until Johansen fell into Landys hit and should be thankful he was even able to walk away. Finally the refs and DOPS are the reason the series has even gotten this dirty. The Johansen hit on Barrie should of been looked at, at the least if not given Johansen a game. There was also the punch to the back of the head on Mackinnon. If your goping to call any player cheap in this series its the guy that's throwing out knee on knee hits and punching people in the head. Stop (frank)ing whining your team is up 3-1 in a series that yall should of walked through. The Avs are playing no more dirty then the preds and to say otherwise is foolish and truly showing your bias. Its ok though all you Nashville fans have only been watching hockey for less then a year. youll figure it out, i believe in you.

Your writing is laughable. its not cross checking to the head when your stick never even touches the players face. Tell Ekholm not to slash if he doesnt want to deal with the retaliation. The Hartman hit was as dirty as it gets and its ridiculous that you even try to justify it. Also tell Johansen to tape his skates and stay on his feet. that hit was never a bad hit until Johansen fell into Landys hit and should be thankful he was even able to walk away. Finally the refs and DOPS are the reason the series has even gotten this dirty. The Johansen hit on Barrie should of been looked at, at the least if not given Johansen a game. There was also the punch to the back of the head on Mackinnon. If your goping to call any player cheap in this series its the guy that's throwing out knee on knee hits and punching people in the head. Stop (frank)ing whining your team is up 3-1 in a series that yall should of walked through. The Avs are playing no more dirty then the preds and to say otherwise is foolish and truly showing your bias. Its ok though all you Nashville fans have only been watching hockey for less then a year. youll figure it out, i believe in you.
- Colorado super chr

These kinds of statments were old when detractors first started posting them 20 years ago. Take your feckless insults elsewhere.

It's the playoffs! !!
Beat you on the scoreboard. ..or,beat you on the ice!!!
Sometimes you get both.

Hockey is a man's game.
Jordan Too Too lol

Your writing is laughable. its not cross checking to the head when your stick never even touches the players face. Tell Ekholm not to slash if he doesnt want to deal with the retaliation. The Hartman hit was as dirty as it gets and its ridiculous that you even try to justify it. Also tell Johansen to tape his skates and stay on his feet. that hit was never a bad hit until Johansen fell into Landys hit and should be thankful he was even able to walk away. Finally the refs and DOPS are the reason the series has even gotten this dirty. The Johansen hit on Barrie should of been looked at, at the least if not given Johansen a game. There was also the punch to the back of the head on Mackinnon. If your goping to call any player cheap in this series its the guy that's throwing out knee on knee hits and punching people in the head. Stop (frank)ing whining your team is up 3-1 in a series that yall should of walked through. The Avs are playing no more dirty then the preds and to say otherwise is foolish and truly showing your bias. Its ok though all you Nashville fans have only been watching hockey for less then a year. youll figure it out, i believe in you.
- Colorado super chr

This is a joke right? The Colorado Avs "deep" hockey history in the NHL runs a whole 3 seasons longer than the Preds. And Colorado was given a Stanley Cup caliber roster their very first season in 95-96. They didn't have to build it up from a crappy expansion roster like Nashville. The true Nashville fan sat through years of building and player development, and didn't have any Stanley Cup runs to draw fans and attention to the franchise. The fans I encounter are plenty knowledgeable about hockey I can assure you. Certainly, the recent success has drawn some less knowledgeable fans. I say, bring them on...we have room on the wagon.

This is kind of a weak jab, mocking Nashville's newbie fans...when you just joined HB today? Was last night your first game? Did you get your feelings hurt when the Predators won?

Crying about last night when Subban's been throwing forearms and elbows into the backs of heads all series? Man, that's rich. I hope the Avs continue to take pounds of flesh. Hopefully the Pens can skate a three-peat cup around your arena and your chad fans again this June.

Crying about last night when Subban's been throwing forearms and elbows into the backs of heads all series? Man, that's rich. I hope the Avs continue to take pounds of flesh. Hopefully the Pens can skate a three-peat cup around your arena and your chad fans again this June.
- steve_o66

Gotta love how the two or three av fans come in here to complain. The other day they were about to take the NHL by storm, now they are pathetic cry babies, moaning on how their players are being roughed up...

Paul, as a lifelong Preds fan, I gotta say I think you're wrong about the Landeskog hit. Yes, Johansen had to go down the tunnel but he fell at the last second which positioned his head at Landeskog's elbows. Otherwise, it would have been a clean, hard hit.

Now the hit on Ekholm and the spearing of Hartman should absolutely be looked at from DoPS. As well as some of the other hits, however we gave as good as we got sometimes. Not as egregious as the AVs, but certainly some cringe worthy hits from my perspective.

Just Announced Hartman suspended for one game for hit on Soderberg... in other news Starbucks sent their new drinks to the Avs players, its called a "cup of man the frank up"

Where is everyone???

Where is everyone???
- PREDX1

What a stupid question......So called Pred Nation......no such thing. Still tickets left for playoff games????? What a joke.

Glad Hartman got suspended.....now Paul can wet his pants crying over how it's not right.....What about Subban? How has he escaped punishment??? Can't wait for Paul to make Nashville out as the victim! Two days ago the world was falling, now all is right with the world.....such is life when you work the Preds!

Stay Classy Nashville!

Gotta love how the two or three av fans come in here to complain. The other day they were about to take the NHL by storm, now they are pathetic cry babies, moaning on how their players are being roughed up...
- PREDX1

....Have you read all the crap Paul cries about.....funny how you can call out a fanbase when so called Pred fans are as fragile as a thin piece of glass! And no, I am not an Avs fan......

What a stupid question......So called Pred Nation......no such thing. Still tickets left for playoff games????? What a joke.

Glad Hartman got suspended.....now Paul can wet his pants crying over how it's not right.....What about Subban? How has he escaped punishment??? Can't wait for Paul to make Nashville out as the victim! Two days ago the world was falling, now all is right with the world.....such is life when you work the Preds!

Stay Classy Nashville!


- jockitch

Umm... The franchise has done an amazing job at selling hockey in a non hockey market. I have a few friends who have attended games and they say the atmosphere is great. The fan have completely embraced a product they have no familiarity with. I say bravo.

If the Vegas management has any sense they will follow Nash's playbook page for page.

There is a distinct difference between playing a man's game and the behavior exhibited in this series. When I think about rugged playoff players I think about men like Clark Gilles or Darren McCarty or Scott Stevens. Players that were physical and punishing. The presence of players like this could literally change the complexion of a series.

It is disappointing to watch this series and all of the cheap shots that are being meted out typically from behind. The lack of respect for player safety like Hartman showed last night simply diminishes what the NHL is trying to become. I certainly enjoyed the ruggedness of play in the 70's and 80's but those days are now gone. If Hartman has an issue with an opposing player than square up, man up and take care of it.

Nashville is certainly having an issue with the speed of the depleted Avalanche roster and the lack of composure by the Predators is interesting. Prior to the playoffs I would have bet that Nashville would make it to the Finals once again but after watching their undisciplined play in this series, its clear they lack the leadership and focus to win a Cup.

The author of this blog Paul McCann does a tremendous disservice by attempting to paint the Predators as victims in this escalating scenario of cheap shots. If you have watched this series then you will clearly see that both teams are taking liberties that border on and at times cross the line of legality. I would would have found an article by Mr McCann more interesting if he would have provided insight into Kyle Turris performance in this series or Roman Josi and his minus 5 in the past three games while averaging over 25 minutes a game.

Perhaps pandering to this childish perception of stout homerism is what the mass audience clamors for. Its too bad, there are some fascinating subplots being carried out in this series but unfortunately the author is too preoccupied applauding a player who clearly crossed the line last night.

There is a distinct difference between playing a man's game and the behavior exhibited in this series. When I think about rugged playoff players I think about men like Clark Gilles or Darren McCarty or Scott Stevens. Players that were physical and punishing. The presence of players like this could literally change the complexion of a series.

It is disappointing to watch this series and all of the cheap shots that are being meted out typically from behind. The lack of respect for player safety like Hartman showed last night simply diminishes what the NHL is trying to become. I certainly enjoyed the ruggedness of play in the 70's and 80's but those days are now gone. If Hartman has an issue with an opposing player than square up, man up and take care of it.

Nashville is certainly having an issue with the speed of the depleted Avalanche roster and the lack of composure by the Predators is interesting. Prior to the playoffs I would have bet that Nashville would make it to the Finals once again but after watching their undisciplined play in this series, its clear they lack the leadership and focus to win a Cup.

The author of this blog Paul McCann does a tremendous disservice by attempting to paint the Predators as victims in this escalating scenario of cheap shots. If you have watched this series then you will clearly see that both teams are taking liberties that border on and at times cross the line of legality. I would would have found an article by Mr McCann more interesting if he would have provided insight into Kyle Turris performance in this series or Roman Josi and his minus 5 in the past three games while averaging over 25 minutes a game.

Perhaps pandering to this childish perception of stout homerism is what the mass audience clamors for. Its too bad, there are some fascinating subplots being carried out in this series but unfortunately the author is too preoccupied applauding a player who clearly crossed the line last night.
- dstal89756

As wrong as it is, lack of respect for a player's safety is and always will be part of the game. If you create an equation that is Speed + Aggression = Entertainment then you will have situations similar to what is happening now.

Even the Avalanche are guilty of dirty play through the years, not because they are inheritably evil, they just had players who play on the edge and that sometimes translates into team success.

There is a distinct difference between playing a man's game and the behavior exhibited in this series. When I think about rugged playoff players I think about men like Clark Gilles or Darren McCarty or Scott Stevens. Players that were physical and punishing. The presence of players like this could literally change the complexion of a series.

It is disappointing to watch this series and all of the cheap shots that are being meted out typically from behind. The lack of respect for player safety like Hartman showed last night simply diminishes what the NHL is trying to become. I certainly enjoyed the ruggedness of play in the 70's and 80's but those days are now gone. If Hartman has an issue with an opposing player than square up, man up and take care of it.

Nashville is certainly having an issue with the speed of the depleted Avalanche roster and the lack of composure by the Predators is interesting. Prior to the playoffs I would have bet that Nashville would make it to the Finals once again but after watching their undisciplined play in this series, its clear they lack the leadership and focus to win a Cup.

The author of this blog Paul McCann does a tremendous disservice by attempting to paint the Predators as victims in this escalating scenario of cheap shots. If you have watched this series then you will clearly see that both teams are taking liberties that border on and at times cross the line of legality. I would would have found an article by Mr McCann more interesting if he would have provided insight into Kyle Turris performance in this series or Roman Josi and his minus 5 in the past three games while averaging over 25 minutes a game.

Perhaps pandering to this childish perception of stout homerism is what the mass audience clamors for. Its too bad, there are some fascinating subplots being carried out in this series but unfortunately the author is too preoccupied applauding a player who clearly crossed the line last night.
- dstal89756

So if someone takes a stick to your balls - twice - in front of the refs. No penalty. You drop the gloves and the offending player turtles and refuses to take you on man-to-man......

These plays become more of an emotional powder keg and fans for their respective teams want to defend dangerous and reckless plays. Speaking strictly to the Hartman issue. The sequence of events is as follows, Hartman takes a lengthy run at Andrighetto narrowly missing a knee on knee hit. In response Andrighetto spears Hartman twice during the ensuring action. Hartman pleads his case to the referee then grabs Andrighetto and throws him to the ice . This was not turtling, rag doll yes but not turtling.

There is nothing in this sequence where one team is justified. In frustration Hartman throws a check to the head of Soderberg later and this is the action for which Hartman gets suspended. Going back to the origination of this sequence. Hartman attempts to run Andrighetto, if this was a clean play not charging or knee on knee then that should be the end of the story. The referees must step in once the situation degrades with the stick work and restore order. As a result of not proper enforcement within the game the situation continues to escalate and Soderberg gets injured and Hartman gets suspended.

This is the evolution of the game that was predicted when people talked about reducing fighting within the game. I am not talking about the heavy weights that we saw in the 90's and early 2000's. Fighting brought a sense of accountability to the game that is now lost. The fact that Andrighetto felt confident enough to spear Hartman without fear of retribution is not a good thing for the game. Players need to be held accountable whether it is by enforcement of the rules or by the players themselves. My personal view of the spearing is that with your team trailing in a critical game you make a selfish play and seek personal retribution. Not a smart play by a team that was trying to tie a playoff series.

We all have seen the extensive data of head injuries and their long term consequences, so in my opinion there is no justification for the hit on Soderberg. The ramifications of such a hit can have far lasting and permanent consequences for the player who has been targeted. There is enough risk to player safety within the game just by the physicality within the rules. There is no need or justification for targeting the head.

Again this series of incidents diverts the attention from what should be talked about. Forsberg's opening goal in game four was a beautiful combination of skill and pure power. Duncan Siemans who is listed at 210 pounds, simply was out muscled on the play. I would much rather talk about those extraordinary plays then spend so much time on cheap shots and trying to justify them. Both teams have crossed the line, both teams are guilty of putting opposing players at risk. I would much rather see these two teams focus on their core attributes and let the chips fall where they may.

There's no crying in hockey. That's for both sides. If there's one thing that's clear in 2018 is that all fan bases are whiny. Grow the **** up.