As a lot of my long time readers know, I grew up in the Delaware Valley, I still have a lot of family that lives in the area, so games between the Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators are always special to me. They bring out the smack talk on social media between my older brother, my nephews and nieces (all HUGE Flyer fans) and me… last night was no exception. It is one of those fun things that I look forward to… and last night’s extremely satisfying 4-3 shootout win at Wells Fargo Center was not only fun for me personally, it was a crucial two points for the Preds and as Terry Crisp talked about on Predators Live after the game, a critical confidence builder after six frustrating shootout losses.
Nashville was led by their captain. Make no mistake about it, Shea Weber is a quiet leader, he is not the “rah-rah… “go get ‘em boys… cheerleader type of captain, his play does the talking and last night… well… a howitzer of a goal and two assists sent a very clear message to his team. After the game, Predators head coach Barry Trotz was effusive in his praise of Weber, calling him a “difference maker.… In some respects, Weber has picked this team up in its darkest hours and shown them the way out. It is no coincidence that the Predators play has improved as Weber’s productivity has increased. Fans leaving the Wells Fargo Center could only dream of what might have been if Flyer's ownership gambit to acquire Weber two years ago had only succeeded.
The other hero in gold last night was goaltender Carter Hutton, highlighted by his second period save that, according to many in attendance, had Wells Fargo Center buzzing. Hutton chased a puck behind the night, but a bad bounce put it right on the stick of Flyers rookie Michael Raffl who had a wide open net to calmly deposit the puck into… until Hutton, looking like Larry Bowa in his prime, made a phenomenal save to preserve the Predators lead. You have to give Hutton credit, he has really amped up his compete level over the past two games. Last night’s performance will make Trotz’s decision on which goaltender to send down a little more difficult.
It took 49 games and seven rounds for the Predators to finally break out of their shootout funk. After a scoreless four rounds, the Preds scored on three consecutive attempts, Roman Josi finally sealing the win and getting King Kong off the Predators back in the skills competition.
Here’s the highlights…
Predators are back in town for two, tomorrow night against Colorado and Monday against Dallas. Don’t forget about Saturday’s Play it Forward Used Sports Equipment Drive. The Sports Fund is collecting gently used equipment to distribute to local nonprofits that fit The Fund’s mission of providing team membership experiences to at-risk youth in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee.
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Random Notes
- Last night was the Predators first win in Philly since 2006.
- After a 10 game home winning streak, that was the Flyers second consecutive loss at home.
- The Predators remain eight points behind Minnesota and Vancouver for a Wild Card spot.
- Doesn’t seem to matter who is in net for the Oilers. Ben Scrivens dropped his debut for Edmonton. As Devan Dubnyk knows all too well, hard to win games behind the Oil’s blueline.
- You have to wonder what the LA Kings have on the St. Louis Blues. They have been kryptonite to St. Louis and last night was no exception.
- Two games tonight – 6pm start – Capitals @ Blue Jackets. 7pm start – Ducks @ Blackhawks. --------------------------------------
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