Sunday Shots from a fun night in Smashville... Photos courtesy Denise McCann Photography/SlapShot Radio
OK… let’s face it. A not-so-healthy hate has grown between the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators and examples of it were all over the 3-2 shootout win that Nashville posted at Bridgestone Arena. The typical Anaheim strategy of “they can’t call all of ‘em… was in full effect last night. Look I grew up rooting for a team that the rest of the league absolutely detested, but this Anaheim team is beyond… And how Corey Perry avoided a third man in and mandatory game misconduct penalty is beyond me.
From Filip Forsberg coming into the box bleeding after being pounded on by Andrew Cogliano for having the temerity to be pushed into the Anaheim goaltender… by an Anaheim player, to the epic battle between Cody McLeod and Josh Manson. From dirty stick work behind the play to the game COming dangerously close to spinning out of control due to Corey Perry jumping into a fracus that four officials saw him skate from center ice to the lower circle to join… the classic definition of third man in. I simply don't understand how that call isn't made.
All that being said... It was a fun hockey game to watch, Kevin Fiala and Calle Jarnkrok kept the home power play goal streak going, it now stands at 13, Pekka Rinne was excellent, except for the second Ducks goal… a glaringly weak goal that Rinne sloughed off easily. Without the great play of Rinne, this team gets blown out last night as the Preds just did not look good in period one and two.
I liked the resilience shown last night, and I liked the fight back as the Preds got back on the winning track after a very disappointing loss to Vancouver. The four game homestand comes to a close tomorrow night when Boston comes to town. It’s the front end of a back-to-back as the Preds will travel post game to Dallas for a Tuesday night showdown with the suddenly hot Stars. Then it’s back to Smashville for a Friday date with the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Random Notes
- The home power play goal streak is at 13, one for every home game this season. The NHL record is 15 to start a season, that belongs to the 95/96 Rangers.
- Giveaways, giveaways, giveaways… this Nashville team just has to get more responsible with the puck.
- Ryan Johansen left the game after a collision with Kevin Fiala in the neutral zone mudway through the second period. He did not return and no update has been given.
- Winnipeg has taken over the lead in the Central as St. Louis lost in OT last night. The Preds trail both teams by a single point.
- Dallas has won four straight heading into Colorado tonight for the back end of a back-to-back after they took down Chicago last night.
- KHL Watch - Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit club lost to SKA St. Petersburg yesterday. Tolvanen was held off the scoresheet and remains at 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points in 35 games. Jokerit is back in action on Tuesday.
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------------------------------------- SlapShot Radio has an exciting season in store for our tenth anniversary. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day… the only local hockey show that does that.
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