A big win for the Nashville Predators last night against a desperate San Jose Sharks team that was trying to avoid starting their season in a 0-4 hole. Consider that Mission Unaccomplished as the Preds posted a 5-2 win. I know it is only four games into a long season, but the San Jose Sharks seem to be a mess. They dominated a long stretch of last night’s game and couldn’t seem to finish… especially in a second period where they seriously outplayed the Predators. They didn’t seem to get the saves they needed from their goaltending and I kept getting the vibe that they were just waiting on the roof to fall in… and it did.
Nashville jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the strength of two goals from the Captain, Roman Josi posted his first just six minutes into the game, then cracked the momentum that San Jose had built in the second period with a power play goal to double the lead. A rather ticky tack penalty on Matt Duchene led to Evander Kane’s first goal of the year in his first game to halve the lead as the teams went to the room at 2-1.
That didn’t last long as Kyle Turris got on the board with a nasty snipe from the left slot that Sharks goaltender Martin Jones is still looking for… then Filip Forsberg gave Smashville Frostys by scoring five minutes later and effectively ending any hope the Sharks had of a comeback, despite a goal from Brent Burns to get within two goals, but Dante Fabbro finished the scoring with an empty net goal with a little less than two minutes to go in the game.
There was a slight change to the Nashville lineup as Matt Irwin drew into the lineup for Dan Hamhuis, there is speculation that Hamhuis may be dinged up a bit. The third pairing seemed a bit more stable than Saturday’s performance.
The performance that flew under the radar was Pekka Rinne. He stood tall in the net, especially in the second period when he was under siege. Rinne was simply Pekka… certainly a heartening sight for Pred Nation.
The home stand concludes tomorrow night at the Washington Capitals come to town, fresh off a loss in Dallas to the Stars.
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Random Notes – Presented by
- Matt Duchene posted his sixth assist of the season last night, tied for the NHL lead.
- The chemistry between Forsberg and Duchene is obvious… and lethal. This Nashville top six is really developing into something potentially special.
- Elliotte Friedman leads his 31 thoughts column with a bite on Roman Josi’s negotiations with the Predators on an extension. This could become a bigger thing as the season progresses until it gets done.
- The Sharks announced the signing of Patrick Marleau last night as the game began.
- Edmonton and Anaheim are both 3-0??? “Umm hello Satan, is it cooling off down there?”
- Tonight’s NHL schedule – MTL @ BUF – 6pm. NJD @ PHI – 6:30pm - NBCSN. LAK @ VAN – 9pm – NBCSN.
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SlapShot Radio is back for our 12th season as Zack, Brent and I will be moving the show to Monday night’s this year. The best hour of hockey talk on the longest running hockey show in the southeast will begin the season at 8pm and will settle into our normal 7pm slot after Thanksgiving… Monday’s on 102.5 the Game.
Our sponsor list continues to grow. Not only are we welcoming back
Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Mufreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group. And our newest sponsors…
Cool Springs Wines and Spirits! The largest spirit store in all of middle Tennessee! And La-Z-Boy Nashville! Three locations, locally owned and operated, check out La-Z-Boy in Mufreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!
The new season promises to be the best yet!
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