So much for using an unplanned off-time to improve. Once again, the Nashville Predators allowed a bad break to fester leading to a lackluster 3-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A bloop goal in the last 20 seconds of the first period essentially ended the game. Look… the effort was better, but this team showed that they could not finish and made Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins looks like the second coming of Dominic Hasek as he authored a 32 save shutout.
I am going to say something that no one wants to hear… this team misses Ryan Johansen… badly.
That’s right, I said it. I know this player is being criticized for performance and some of it is warranted, however… it is undeniable that this team is better 5 on 5, have better possession stats and Johansen in the lineup draws defensive attention away from other players. We may not want to hear it… but it is true.
The “we gotta blow this up” drumbeat is getting louder… I’m not so sure that is the right way to go.
Yet.
The “Fire the GM” crowd is getting louder… but that hasn’t seemed to work with a LOT of other teams… Detroit, Buffalo, Ottawa, Minnesota, Vancouver… just to name a few. The question for the “fire the GM” crowd… who is better to replace him? I’m not sure a good answer exists for this.
The “Fire the coach” is just as loud if not louder, sometimes getting rid of the coach is a solid idea, again, I don’t know if it is solid in this circumstance. There is time before the trade deadline in order to turn this team around, but the runway is getting awfully short. The circumstances have not been good for this coach, it is a large reason why I am not on that bandwagon…
Yet.
The team does have a depth issue, injuries to Mattias Ekholm and Johansen have really impacted it. The next man up theory has not kicked in at all. This team has a finish issue… at least we saw more shots last night and a better effort.
In this observer’s humble opinion… it’s time to give the kids a chance. Bring up Philip Tomasino, bring up Alexandre Carrier, bring up Jeremy Davies… then play ‘em. Give them a chance to prove their NHL credentials. Perhaps augmenting the veterans with a few more talented kids could turn this team around…
Nothing else seems to be working.
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Random Notes – Presented by
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Effort - The effort
was better last night… but moral victories aren’t worth any standings points.
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Puck Luck - Let’s face it, the Predators have had zero puck luck… but they have to work their way out of it… just waiting for it to happen doesn’t cut it… everyone pulling on the rope.
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Lake Tahoe - Weather is driving some time changes to this weekend’s outdoor games. Looks like they will be getting started early due to bright, sunny conditions.
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Battle for the basement - The Predators are only one point out of the basement of the Central, with two games in hand over the Red Wings.
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