So what went wrong? That is the question on the mind of every hockey fan in Nashville. Why are the Nashville Predators in close out mode, making vacation plans and not scheming for a second round series with the Minnesota Wild?
I won’t be as disrespectful as the lead columnist for the Tennessean, someone who barely shows up at Bridgestone Arena then tries to act as if he knows what he is talking about. Honestly, if he was there more than three or four times a year his opinion would hold more weight, but considering the jokes and sidelong comments you hear when he deems to grace us poor unwashed with his presence, well his take just simply has no credence. Thank heavens for Dave Ammenheuser’s counter to that pile of uninformed rubbish in today’s edition. I have to give the Tennessean credit in this regard, the sports editor has definitely shown a solid interest in good hockey coverage, his hiring of Adam Vingan as Preds beat reporter has shown immediate dividends as he gives the team solid, knowledgeable, insightful coverage… but I digress… back to the topic at hand…
Where did a season that showed such promise go off the rails? I have a few idea...
A consistent issue throughout the season has been an inability to hold a lead. This tendency showed itself over and over again. Early in the season, that tendency was covered by a resiliency, third period comebacks and overtime heroics were the order of the day and celebrated… but the disquieting fact remained, the team shouldn’t have been in that position to begin with. After the all-star break, that tendency was no longer covered so well, and the team’s record showed it.
It was something they were never able to get past, blowing leads in games 1, 4 and 6.
A late season, and just as disquieting an issue was the play of Pekka Rinne. There were times after his return he looked simply dominant, the four game win streak in mid-March comes to mind… and there were times where he simply did not look like the Rinne Pred Nation was used to seeing. He seemed to struggle with his side-to-side movement, he seemed to not be seeing the puck well and over relying on his glove, swatting at the puck versus catching it cleanly. I will be curious to know if he still had lingering effects from the midseason injury.
Pred Nation grew too accustomed to a super-human Pekka Rinne, it was only there in flashes during the series. Combine that with the injury to Shea Weber and it was a recipe for disaster.
Lastly, a discussion on chemistry is in order. I have heard many Predator fans complain about the acquisition of Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli, saying that it looks like it upset the chemistry in the room. I can’t speak to that, only the players can answer that one, but I will say that their play on the ice was supremely disappointing.
It does make you wonder if it was the typical over hyping of anyone that plays in Toronto, which I believe is the case here. The Toronto media touted Franson as THE defenseman in the race at trade deadline, and frankly, Franson had an opportunity to step up and be the man when Shea Weber went down in game two. He did not.
Mike Santorelli was an offensive dynamo according to the Toronto media. He did show speed and effort… that is for sure, but one goal in 22 regular season games and one goal in the playoffs certainly doesn’t fit that definition. The post mortem will continue in earnest and I am sure there are plenty of other things that will come out over the next few days. There is plenty to look at as we await the final press conference and end of season meetings. End of season media availability is at 4pm today for the players. We are left ponder what went sideways. In this season, the Nashville Predators accomplished a lot. The first necessary step was taken back to a consistent winning culture and higher expectations from the on ice product. Now we await the next one.
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Random Notes
- With his finalist status for the Vezina, Pekka Rinne becomes only the third goaltender in the last ten years to be named a finalist three times or more… he joins Henrik Lunqvist (5) and Martin Brodeur (4) on that list. He is the only one to not win the trophy on that list. (Stick Tap to David Boclair of the Nashville Post for that nugget)
- Paul Gaustad’s dominance in the face off circle certainly showed in the final stats, winning a series leading 56% of his draws.
- The Preds special teams were one of the bright spots of the series, the power play converted at a 27.2% clip for the series and the PK only gave up three power play goals for an 84.8% kill rate.
- The Preds / Blackhawks series was the first one in Stanley Cup playoff history to have two different goalies win games in relief. (Stick tap to Scott Powers – ESPN Chicago for that nugget)
- Y’know… it ain’t just the media here… NBC4 in New York literally had a screen that said that if the New York Islander win tonight then “Nassau Coliseum Could Stay Open For Game 8.… Seriously! IN freakin’ New York??? (Stick tap to Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper for that one) If that type of stuff is inexcusable in LA…
- The clock finally struck midnight for Ottawa… that was a helluva run the Senators went on.
- You have to wonder if changes need to be made in St. Louis. For the third consecutive time, the Blues have been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. With the talent on that squad, that simply shouldn’t happen.
- Chicago / Minnesota won’t be the war that Blues / Blackhawks would’ve been but it could be interesting.
- Sidney Crosby will play for Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships.
- Congratulations top Team USA on winning the U18 worlds gold.
Two games in the NHL today including a game seven…
Tampa Bay @ Detroit – DET leads 3-2 – 6pm CDT faceoff – CNBC, CBC New York Islanders @ Washington – Series Tied 3-3 – 6:30pm CDT faceoff – NBCSN, SN
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