The Nashville Predators posted a 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes last night on the strength of a three goal outburst in the first period in one of those strange games where every goal went into the same net. 3-0 has been a dangerous lead in the past, especially against Phoenix where the Preds wasted a three goal lead earlier this season on the way to a 5-4 shootout loss, but the Predators have shown that they can learn their lessons.
The Coyotes did make it interesting, scoring two in the second period and pressing the play for most of the third, strong defense and excellent netminding from Marek Mazanec kept the lead at one until Shea Weber iced the game with an empty netter and sent Pred Nation home happy, with Frosty’s to boot.
The secret to this Predators team is becoming obvious, when the team is firing the way it has shown it can, they score by committee. Last night was a perfect example, the first three goals came from three different lines. All of the top nine Nashville forwards had one point. This can be a nightmare to scheme against for opposing coaches.
The Predators take off for Columbus to meet up with our old friends the Columbus Blue Jackets for a Thanksgiving Eve tilt. The biggest question for Nashville is how the coaching staff will handle the goaltending over the Thanksgiving holiday. With three games in four nights, you wonder when staff will try to plug in Carter Hutton into the mix. Mazanec has been solid, but the 22 year old can’t play every game, Hutton has to be used at some point.
With an MRI scheduled in the next few days for Pekka Rinne, the goaltending situation will get a little more clarity after the Thanksgiving holiday. Pred Nation has their fingers crossed that the news is good.
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Random Notes
- Preds go viral – The “Real American… video that was run last Saturday night has gone viral… what? You say you haven’t seen it yet? Well get ready for a big steaming pile of ‘Merica…
- I really like the Nystrom/Fisher/Wilson combo, they were all over the ice last night.
- Barry Trotz indicated his hope that the Predators would get Patric Hornqvist back in the lineup sometime over the next three games.
- Phoenix captain Shane Doan left the game in the second period last night with what is being called a “lower body injury.…
- Wait a minute… Columbus gets moved to the East, and they are still bitching about the schedule? Someone remind James Wisniewski what it was like when the Jackets were in the West.
- Wow! The NHL announced a blockbuster $12 year, $5.2 billion broadcasting deal with Rogers in Canada.
- One game tonight, 7pm start – Ducks @ Stars.
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