It was a special night at Bridgestone Arena as Smashville welcomed back the man that helped establish Nashville as a hockey city. A bench boss that the city took into its collective heart, one of the finest men you will ever meet, Barry Trotz. There was lots of class on display last night, from both organizations and from the Smashville faithful at an over-sold out Bridgestone Arena. On weekend nights at Bridgestone Arena, SlapShot Radio’s photographer captures the color and the action from Smashville, here is a special Sunday Shots… on a Saturday…
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| From Predators vs Capitals January 16, 2015 |
The stories were numerous in last night’s game, Trotz’s return, Ovechkin’s two goals, Neal’s two goals… all compelling, but the biggest story may have been the performance of Carter Hutton. The fact that no one is really talking about it may have been the biggest factor in last night’s 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals. The fact that this Predator machine kept rolling last night, winning their fifth straight, increasing their lead in the Central with Hutton in net should be heartening to Predators fans that have been wringing their hands since Tuesday night.
Quibble with little things if you want, but the fact is this… Hutton was solid last night. The two goals given up to Ovechkin may or may not have been stopped by Pekka Rinne, the third goal, well… he made the first three saves on the play, he just couldn’t make the fourth. The team once again picked him up with two goals in the last six minutes. That is the best thing about this Predators team… they never think they are out of a game. That has been the case in the last two games as this team is facing their toughest challenge of the season and seem to be rising to it.
Here are your highlights courtesy of nhl.com…
So… no time to savor that one as the Predators took off after the game for their next challenge… a Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena taking on the Detroit Red Wings. The team this franchise measured themselves against for the first 13 years of their existence. This game is a bit of a mirror match…
Both teams are dealing with the loss of their number one, all-star goaltender. Detroit’s Jimmy Howard is dealing with a groin issue, not good for a goaltender, that is for sure, and backup Jonas Gustavsson is out with a shoulder problem… leaving Petr Mrazek to man the net for the Wings. Mrazek has responded by going 3-1-0 since taking over the net and has been a main reason for the Wings success in their last road trip. Detroit will be dealing with that whole “first game back from a long road trip… thing… the Preds, with the old “second game of a back-to-back… thing. Not sure if Marek Mazanec gets his first start of the season or not, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.
Detroit is 7-3-0 in their last ten, the Preds are riding a season high five game win streak while going 8-0-2 in their last ten. It’s the usual cast of characters to watch for in Detroit, The scoring coming from Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, their typically lethal power play (converting at a 23.6% clip) has come down to earth a bit and the penalty kill has struggled as well as of late. The Red Wings have allowed at least one power play goal in four of their last six games.
It should be a good one in the Motor City. Face off is at 6pm central tonight, coverage is on Fox Sports Tennessee and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame on the flagship station, 102.5 the Game, starts at 5:30pm.
Here is your preview, courtesy of nhl.com…
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Random Notes
- The Predators have opened up a six point lead over Chicago and St. Louis in the Central… and don’t look now, but Winnipeg is coming up on the outside just two points back of the Hawks and Blues. Games in hand are critical here… the Predators have a game in hand over both Chicago and St. Louis and three games in hand over Winnipeg. The Predators are tied with Anaheim with 64 points, but Nashville hold two games in hand over the Ducks.
- James Neal’s play to score the game winner was a thing of beauty… picking NIskanin’s pocket and going five hole on Holtby… beautiful!
- The video tribute to Barry Trotz went viral last night… congratulations to Feature Producer Vickie Chien and the Preds game ops team on putting together a video that struck the perfect chord. Haven’t seen it yet? OK…
- We also had a bit of fun with Lane Lambert and his legendary flow…
- The SlapShot Radio Road Trip still has a few openings… if you want to join our trip to Dallas for closing night, go to the SSR Facebook page for more information.
- Eric Nystrom has been skating with the team and appears to be close to coming off the IR… perhaps as early as tonight.
- Watching the highlights of last night’s Jets/Blackhawks game, one lowlight stands out. Dan Carcillo’s cross-check that took out Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. Definitely suspension worthy…
- Looks like the rebuild is on in Arizona. First the trade of Devan Dubnyk and the rumors of Shane Doan trades, now the full scale fire sale may be being prepped, potentially including the moving of Keith Yandle.
- TSN is reporting that the return of the World Cup of Hockey will be announced during All-Star festivities in Columbus.
- Twelve games on the NHL schedule tonight… Blue Jackets @ Bruins, Flyers @ Sabres, Islanders @ Canadiens, Hurricanes @ Senators, Predators @ Red Wings, Avalanche @ Lightning, Oilers @ Panthers, Maple Leafs @ Blues, Capitals @ Dallas, Coyotes @ Wild, Ducks @ Kings, Flames @ Sharks.
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