SlapShot Radio's intrepid photographer was out and about capturing all the Game One fun at Bridgestone Arena last night... the album is on the SlapShot Radio Facebook page.
I will start by complimenting Smashville, despite all the whining, crying and complaining from desperate, little read Chicago columnists looking for click bait, it was truly a sea of gold at a sold out Bridgestone Arena, with 17,225 in the house in a rink that officially seats 17,113. So much for the accusation that the Predators “needed… Chicago fans to sell out the joint. Kudos to Predators management for listening to their season ticket holders and turning a deaf ear to the insults being blown around from entitled bandwagoners from up north.
Now, to the ice, where the Preds dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Chicago in double overtime giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead in this best of seven. The good news for Pred fans is that their team played a solid sixty minutes last night… the bad news? The game went 87 minutes.
Smashville was rocking, from an awesome pre-game on-ice projection show to a stirring and respectful National Anthem where Music City sang loud and proud, to a rollicking first period as Colin Wilson scored two and Viktor Stalberg scored the other to put the Preds up 3-0 and sent Hawks goaltender Corey Crawford to the showers. But the game is 60 minutes… or at least it should have been.
I have to give the Hawks full marks, they took the game to the Preds in the second period. That, combined with the Predators taking their foot off the gas ever so slightly, was the difference in the game. I’ve written about this before, unless and until this team can find a killer instinct, this will be a short playoff run. One other Hawk to give full marks to… Scott Darling. He came in to start the second period and shut down the Predators, making 42 saves and honestly, I am still scratching my head over the three stars decision by the Nashville media… Darling was the reason Chicago won that game and leads the series 1-0.
Also, do not underestimate the impact of Mike Fisher leaving the game with a lower body injury two minutes into the second period… the Predators effectively played more than an entire game (65+ minutes) with just 11 forwards, losing a key member of the PK, power play, faceoffs… that was a big loss at a key point in the game. If Fisher can’t go tomorrow, Kevin Fiala may make his playoff debut, considering the pace of yesterday’s game, that may be an advantage for Nashville.
Now it is a test of resiliency… can the Predators bounce back after a stab to the heart? We will find out in about 36 hours from this writing…
Here are the game one highlights from nhl.com
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Random Notes
- I really like Shea Weber’s postgame quote “They won and we didn’t. We have to move forward. We can’t dwell on anything.…
- Last night was an excellent example of the frustration of playoff officiating, and it ain’t just me… PHT calls it out.
- Friday night’s game is also a sell out (sorry Chicago columnists… no click-bait for you!)
- BTW… I caught the group in section 107 that traded their red shirts for gold at the end of the first period… then traded back after the second… SMH
- If last night was any indication… this is going to be one helluva playoff season. Comebacks and general nastiness, goalie controversies and unlikely heroes, last second goals and overtime… yup, it must be the NHL playoffs!
- PK Subban’s slash… suspension worthy?
- Bad start for the Capitals last night… they simply did not look ready to go.
- Road teams won three of four last night… parity reigns supreme.
Four series start tonight, here are the games and national coverage options… - Game One – Pittsburgh @ New York Rangers – 6pm CDT faceoff – Coverage on CBC, NBCSN - Game One – Detroit @ Tampa Bay – 6:30pm CDT faceoff – Coverage on CNBC, SN - Game One – Minnesota @ St. Louis – 8:30pm CDT faceoff – NBCSN, SN360 - Game One – Winnipeg @ Anaheim – 9:30pm CDT faceoff – CNBC, SN
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SlapShot Radio’s playoff preview podcast is posted… Our guests included Blackhawks radio voice John Wiedeman and Columbus radio play-by-play man Bob McElligott along with Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper. Listen to our latest podcast here… Our premier, day one sponsor is Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at 615-872-7762.
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