Playoff hockey is here… It was a nasty, gritty game last night at Bridgestone Arena that saw the Nashville Predators jump out to a 2-0 lead only to surrender it, then take the lead again, then surrender it, then fall behind, then tie it up, only to drop a 5-4 shootout decision to the Vancouver Canucks.
Phew… you get exhausted just looking at that last sentence.
After two quick goals in the first period and the Canucks on the back side of a back-to-back you thought it might turn into a laugher… so much for thoughts. The Vancouver Canucks have owned the second period this year and last night was no exception. Full marks to this team for the character shown in their win last night, the fact that they had to overcome some real stupidity from one of the usual suspects makes it all the more impressive.
If I’m talking on ice stupidity, of course I’m talking about Alex Burrows.
The thing is, this player is way too good and way too talented to pull some of the crap that he has pulled over his career. Predator fans are well familiar with Burrows’ reckless and frankly dangerous antics, he showed them again last night. In the third period, behind the play, Burrows makes a beeline for Paul Gaustad and delivers a dirty, high hit that drew a five minute major, a game misconduct and the attention of the Department of Player Safety. Then Kevin Bieksa makes a bad situation worse for his team by drawing his own misconduct. These are veteran players that should know better, even though it appears that Burrows has escaped suspension again… they should know better!
Heck, even the Sportsnet commentators were talking about the call being correct.
The persecution complex that the Vancouver Canucks display will be their undoing. They got the win last night, but the postgame comments about the officiating reveals a real chip on their shoulder about their perception of unfair officiating. It will lead to nowhere they want to be and the Canucks would be wise to get over it…
Here are the highlights from nhl.com
The Predators have their team picture today then practice immediately following. Next game is Saturday at home vs. Dallas.
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Random Notes
- Standings update after play on 3/31 – Nashville continues to lead the Central Division lead with 103 points, St. Louis trails by four points with 99. Anaheim leads in the Western Conference with 105 points. Chicago is seven points behind the Preds. The Blackhawks and Blues have two games in hand over Nashville.
- The Western Wild Card – Minnesota (76 games played) owns the first wild card slot with 95 points, the Winnipeg Jets (77) are in the second slot with 90 points. The Calgary Flames (77) has the third slot in the Pacific Division leading the LA Kings (76) by three points. The Kings are two points behind the Jets for the final Wild Card.
- Who Should Pred Nation Root for Tonight? – Nashville trails Anaheim by two in the conference, so put on your Oilers colors and say it with me “Let’s Go Oilers!…
- Cody Franson had his first goal of his second stint with the Predators last night.
- OMG – Rumors flying about Alexander Radulov going to the Maple Leafs? Now THAT is delicious…. Please, please, please… make that happen!!! I’m just praying that it isn’t
- Dustin Byfuglien got away with a completely unnecessary and particularly ugly cross check last night in Winnipeg’s loss to the Rangers. The DPOS may be busy today.
- Four games in the NHL tonight – Maple Leafs @ Sabres, Flyers @ Penguins, Oilers @ Ducks, Avalanche @ Sharks.
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