There is a lot to unpack from last night’s insanity, the Nashville Predators posted a 6-5 road win over the Winnipeg Jets, but there’s more to the story so let’s get going…
Let’s start off with congratulations to Predators GM David Poile, last night’s win tied GMDP with the legendary Glen Sather for most wins by a general manager. 1,319 wins over 15 years with the Washington Capitals and 20 years with the Nashville Predators. It is a stunning achievement for Poile, and one he will continue to add to.
OK… on to the game. A game that I compare to a “Rocky… movie… specifically, Rocky II (because the good guy wins in the end!)
A first period between these two heavyweights saw the teams circling, throwing little jabs, feeling each other out. How much speed can we use, how do the goaltenders look, what can I get away with? The teams went to the room after 20 minutes with plenty of shots, but nothing on the scoreboard.
The haymakers began early in the second… Winnipeg came out firing, throwing lefts and rights and breaking down the Predators defense until Matt Hendricks cracked the scoring a little less than three minutes in. That punch seemed to wake up the Preds and they fought back, wresting the momentum back from the Jets and six minutes later, Craig Smith landed with his 19th goal of the season, tying the game.
Now sometimes, the first big shots landed will calm a fight down… but not in a Rocky movie…
The Jets started landing bombs, overhand rights and lefts delivered by Mark Scheifele, scoring two goals in less than two minutes and giving the Jets a two-goal lead and a decided advantage on the judges cards, but just like Rocky against Apollo, the Preds fought back with goals from Kyle Turris and a PPG from Mattias Ekholm in 1:59… the second goal with a little assist from an ill-advised offside challenge.
Kyle Turris’ goal closed the gap to one and for reasons that I still don’t get, Jets head coach Paul Maurice challenged the play, apparently the only one thinking it was a good idea. Then had the nerve to double down in post-game saying that it wasn’t offside “this week.… Ummm... news flash, that play wasn't offside... ever. Well... except according to the NHL war room in the Stanley Cup Final last year.
The challenge proved to be more than just silly… it gave Nashville a power play that Ekholm converted on to tie the game. But... Apollo Creed is the kind of opponent that doesn’t get rocked by heavy blows like that and apparently… neither do the Jets. Just :33 seconds later, Nikolaj Ehlers snapped a simply filthy shot past Pekka Rinne to give the Jets the lead again as the teams went back to the room for the second intermission. Seven goals in the second period… only in the a Rocky movie.
I do wonder if Adrian showed up in the Preds room, exhorting them to win between the second and third period.
The third period began with two fighters circling again… the game slowed just a bit… yeah... for about :30 seconds.Then these two fighters were throwing haymakers again and ten minutes in, Paul Statstny scored his first as a Jet and put Winnipeg up by two again, and frankly… Pred Nation looked around and thought… well, this may not be our night.
Then... the dramatic Bill Conti score swelled… the bell rings, the emotional chord strikes… and :55 seconds later… Rocky lands a blow that rocks Apollo as Craig Smith scores his second of the game to draw the Preds back to within one. Then 3:02 later, Ryan Johansen deposits a rebound that put the Jets on the ropes…
“Go Jets Go… was replaced by a “Rock-ee… Rock-ee…… chant… OK… that didn’t happen, but if this was Rocky II it would have... meanwhile...
Nashville continued to swarm and Winnipeg threw everything they could at the Preds, a breathtaking five minutes of hockey ensued… until Rocky landed the final blow… deadline day acquisition Ryan Hartman, after a solid game, planted himself in the crease, leaned on his stick and Roman Josi delivered a perfect pass that Hartman directed past Connor Hellebuyck… Preds lead 6-5.
The two fighters spun for the last minute, both hitting the canvas, and Pekka Rinne prevented the Jets from getting up before the ten count expired as the Preds got up at nine to win the first of a three game series that should decide the Central Division title. Can’t wait for the sequel…
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Here are the highlights…
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“Where We Stand… update… a daily tracking of where the Preds are in the standings and the games that impact them most, brought to you by Mark Lonsway - THE real estate professional for hockey fans!
After last night’s play the Predators are first in the Central Division with 87 points, leading Winnipeg (1 GIH) by four points and eight points ahead of Minnesota (1 GIH) … the Preds lead Dallas (1 GIH) by eleven points and Anaheim (2 GIH) by thirteen. The Predators are tied in points with Vegas (1 GIH) however, due to tie breakers, the Predators now lead the Western Conference.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 7pm – DET @ STL. 8:30pm – CGY @ COL.
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 99.99%, they need 9 points in 20 games to get to the 96 point line.
The Playoff Point Line - I look at the point level needed for at least a 75%+ chance to make the playoffs… the weekend’s play saw a shift here… right now, 96 points gets you at 78.7% chance of making the playoffs, 95 gets you a 59.4% chance.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- Roman Josi’s five assists last night tied the franchise record for points in a game.
- The Predators did not play a great game last night, but take the two points and move on.
- SlapShot Radio is back in its’ normal timeslot tonight at 7pm on 102.5 the Game. We will talk about last night, put a bow on the trade deadline and go “Down on the Farm… with the Voice of the Milwaukee Admirals… Aaron Sims.
- I know Ryan Hartman got the game winner… but beyond that… he played a helluva game.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team posted a 5-3 win over SKA with Tolvanen posting his 18th goal of the season, continuing to increase the record for rookie scoring in the KHL. He now has 18 goals and 17 assists with one game remaining in the KHL’s regular season. Jokerit finishes their season on Thursday against Dinamo Riga.
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