Paul McCann: Round One Review

The Predators really outplayed the Avs in each of the final 3 games. They happened to lose game 5 because Hammond played out of his mind & the Preds had about a 2 minute lapse. Other than that, they dominated the Avs to close the series.

I don't say that to disrespect the Avs. They played great. Especially given some of the injury issues. Their best players were still on the ice & the Preds had not had much trouble with Varlamov - so I don't think that would've made a big difference. Bernier & Hammond weren't going to win or lose that series for the Avs - I think the loss of Johnson was a bigger factor. They have a bright future & even though Girard got "pantsed" by Forsberg on the highlight reel goal, it stings a little seeing his skill level at such a young age & knowing we traded him.

Hopefully, the Turris line will get their act together in the Winnipeg series. I think Colorado's second line & second pair gave them more trouble than they expected. I look for them to bounce back and provide more secondary scoring in the Winnipeg series. They will need to if the Preds want to emerge victorious.

Overall, it was a good series win against an opponent who is on the rise. Bring on the Jets!

Is there an extended goalie crease for the playoffs? Asking for a friend.

The same friend was also wondering was Arvy's "embellishment" when he got blown up with his head down or when he got cross checked in the throat?

Today @ 10:52 AM ET
The same friend was also wondering was Arvy's "embellishment" when he got blown up with his head down or when he got cross checked in the throat?

It was embellishment - the stick never hit him in the throat. It's a soccer thing.

You are going to love playing the Jets.

It was embellishment - the stick never hit him in the throat. It's a soccer thing.

You are going to love playing the Jets.
- 2.0

It's a crosscheck regardless of where the stick made contact.

It was embellishment - the stick never hit him in the throat. It's a soccer thing.

You are going to love playing the Jets.
- 2.0

The Predators have already played the Jets this year. Multiple times. This team knows full well what to expect. Win or lose, I can assure you, the Predators are not afraid of the Jets gritty play.

As for the "embellishment" you are so sure of, I would propose this. Let a full-grown NHL player cross-check you in the head/neck area while on skates & see if you fall down. Whether or not the stick hit Arvidsson in the throat, it was an illegal cross-check. And, if you fall after getting illegally hit hard, it is NOT embellishment.

not to mention, well after the whistle so he wouldn't have been expecting any contact at that point.

If that is how the Jets play, I hope our PP eats them alive because it will get plenty of chances.

It's about time the real Preds showed up. That was more like it. This next series is going to be one helluva fight. As a Preds fan, I hope they sweep. As a hockey fan, I hope it goes to double overtime in game 7.

Smashville v White-Out ... this is the series every hockey loving fan wants to see - could very well be the series of the spring ... one reporter in Canada called this the Stanley Cup final - one month early

Probably the 2 best Arenas for fan support ... the top 2 in league standings ... the 2 starting goalies are Vezina finalists

Hard to script this any better

The Predators have already played the Jets this year. Multiple times. This team knows full well what to expect. Win or lose, I can assure you, the Predators are not afraid of the Jets gritty play.

As for the "embellishment" you are so sure of, I would propose this. Let a full-grown NHL player cross-check you in the head/neck area while on skates & see if you fall down. Whether or not the stick hit Arvidsson in the throat, it was an illegal cross-check. And, if you fall after getting illegally hit hard, it is NOT embellishment.
- holycow_75

Arvidson was chirping after the whistle, skated towards the player to antagonize took a run-of-the-mill scrum shot and played dead. Ref got it right.

Arvidson was chirping after the whistle, skated towards the player to antagonize took a run-of-the-mill scrum shot and played dead. Ref got it right.
- 2.0

Haha. So, for consistency's sake, we won't see you on HB complaining about the officiating next week when one of your guys takes a "run-of-the-mill scrum shot" as you call it, right?

Haha. So, for consistency's sake, we won't see you on HB complaining about the officiating next week when one of your guys takes a "run-of-the-mill scrum shot" as you call it, right?
- holycow_75

nothing is consistent about NHL officiating

Arvidson was chirping after the whistle, skated towards the player to antagonize took a run-of-the-mill scrum shot and played dead. Ref got it right.
- 2.0

So you're saying cross checks above the neck are good to go...?? Whatever happens after that is up to the player who gets cross checked...?? Guess Arvidsson should have just stood there and taken that pop, huh.

Me...I think a little reaction from that type of cross check is allowable. Guess the refs felt a little punked, but wasn't like a run of the mill tripping dive. No?

The officiating was incredibly one sided for the Preds. Arvidssson did get cross checked but also threw himself to the ground. Subban has become a flopper in these playoffs too.

Austin Watson is going ot get in trouble against Winnipeg. His antics aren't going to fly there.

So you're saying cross checks above the neck are good to go...?? Whatever happens after that is up to the player who gets cross checked...?? Guess Arvidsson should have just stood there and taken that pop, huh.

Me...I think a little reaction from that type of cross check is allowable. Guess the refs felt a little punked, but wasn't like a run of the mill tripping dive. No?
- f14fixr

The cross check hit him below the neck and he flopped. It's not hard to sell to Preds fans but the ref wasn't buying.

Jeez, get over the freaking calls, it happens. Some of the fans on here are like children.