Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

A Conundrum in Music City

March 29, 2021, 7:38 PM ET [0 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
As Smashville woke this morning, they saw a site for sore eyes… the Predators in playoff position. It’s been quite awhile for this… after insane ups and downs that would make a roller coaster enthusiast nauseous, the team has finally put together a stretch of great hockey.

After starting the month with a thud, the Predators began to get well during their toughest stretch of the season. They split their series in Tampa, split In Sunrise and finished off an eight game roadie the way they began it, with a shootout win over Dallas.

Four more wins took the team from also ran to playoff position. From seller to buyer at the trade deadline and from a team that looks confused and uninspired to an aggressive, maniacally forechecking juggernaut.

Winning seven out of the last eight will make a move in a division… and that is what Nashville has done… but how? What is so different about this team then the one we saw at the beginning of March? I have three things…

1. Superior goaltending – Both Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros have been stellar between the pipes. Saros being named third star of the week in the NHL last week after posting a 3-0-0 record with a .976 save percentage and a .67 GAA. And Rinne has been no slouch as well, posting a solid win over Chicago last night.

2. Forechecking – IN the last ten games or so, the Predators have discovered an effective forecheck. They are in the passing lanes, their sticks are active and they are disrupting offenses. This is the type of Predators hockey we have been used to.

3. The kids are alright – Alexandre Carrier, Mathieu Olivier, Yakov Trenin, Eeli Tolvanen, Jeremy Davies… just a few of the youngsters this team has drawn energy from. Even if it was caused by the injury bug, the youth movement is on.

Things continue against Dallas. A team the Predators have split the season series so far, dropping the first two in ugly fashion back in January, winning the next two in thrilling fashion to bookend their eight game roadie. The Preds have picked a very good time to get hot... and to cause the real conundrum... which Preds team is the real one?

--------------------------------------

Random Notes – Presented by

- Signings - Welcome to Smashville, David Farrence! The Preds signed the BU senior to a two year entry deal. The blueliner has scored 59 points in his last 45 games for the Terriers and will report to the taxi squad.

-Blood Feud - After a sweep in Chicago, the Preds look to put some distance between them and the rest of the pack as Dallas hits town. Dallas’ games in hand advantage is slowly being wasted in the 3-3-4 swoon the Stars have been on.

- Making it Tough - GM David Poile has a difficult challenge on his hands with the upcoming trade deadline. With the Preds finally playing the type of hockey expected of them, it will bear close watching to see what Poile does.

- Prospects - 2020 second round draft choice Luke Evangelista has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. The speedy winger hasn’t played since the OHL stopped their season in 2020.

- Chicago - Interesting to see that the top three scorers for the Chicago Wolves are all Preds prospects, Tanner Jennot has 17 points, Tommy Novak has 16 and Phil Tomasino has 12.
--------------------------------------

SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday night at 7pm on 102.5 the Game.

Our sponsors are fantastic, you need to check them out… Dr. Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Murfreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group. 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 Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!

Season 13 will be the best ever, so get in on the action… reach out to me for awesome new advertising packages.

---------------------------------------




-------------------------------------

KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.
Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Paul McCann
» The time has come
» Whining through Game 3
» Playoff Picks
» Waiting for he playoffs
» A special night in Smashville