Paul McCann: BIg Win in Winnipeg

These teams are almost mirror images. The game played out as such, and it was a good game. I cringe in OT because we've been so bad at it lately, but they pretty much possessed the puck the entire time. At least I'm not the only one who thought the refs were a little "off" shall we say?

I think Ellis returning can only help this team. They weren't bad last night, they gave up some chances, but nothing like the past three games. And we've had back-to-back solid goal tending (Peks didn't deserve the 3-0 loss to Vegas). So this is the part where I say "We have a chance," so they'll lose to Calgary 5-0.

On a side note, I was flipping back and forth between Nashville and the Chicago/Minnesota game. It's such a difference listening to Willy call a game and then hear a professional announcer. Can we please end the Willy experiment? He's terrible. He reminds me of the NFL Experience booth where fans can call great moments in NFL games. Let's get someone who knows what they're doing, K?

2 solid performances in net in a row... It does make me wonder where the Preds would be if the goal tending had been more consistent throughout the season... Then again, recent games against Boston Toronto and Vegas really have exposed the talent gap between the Preds and some of the better teams throughout the league.

My favorite play of the night other than the GW was the last shot of regulation by Winnipeg. Four Gold jersey's in front of Saros basically all competing to block a shot. It's such a simple thing that might go over a casual fans head, but it was a show of heart, determination, and grit that's been sorely missing from this team over the past year-and-half. Honestly it's been almost as big a problem as the goal-tending. I appreciated the effort and thought it deserved some recognition. More of this please. (Not just shot blocking, in their game in general)

The closer the Preds get to smelling the farts of the teams in playoff position, the more worried I get Poile's going to do something stupid at the deadline. Two weeks ago I thought Smith and Granlund would be gone for sure (at least one will have to be gone next year once Josi's raise kicks in) but I don't think you can afford to part with Granlund right now. For the last month he's arguably been our best forward. Which also means his trade value is probably going up. Granlund, Smith, and Rocco, should all garner interest from contenders if Poile decides to sell... What are you going to do David? I don't envy your job right now.

I think Ellis returning can only help this team. They weren't bad last night, they gave up some chances, but nothing like the past three games. And we've had back-to-back solid goal tending (Peks didn't deserve the 3-0 loss to Vegas). So this is the part where I say "We have a chance," so they'll lose to Calgary 5-0.

- FoxMulder

It's not just you. I don't have an official name for it yet, so I'm just calling it Preds Syndrome for the time being. Whatever you expect from this team on a given night, expect almost the exact opposite to happen. (With a few notable exceptions) It's a hard truth about being a Preds fan that's both fun and incredibly frustrating at the same time.

The closer the Preds get to smelling the farts of the teams in playoff position, the more worried I get Poile's going to do something stupid at the deadline. Two weeks ago I thought Smith and Granlund would be gone for sure (at least one will have to be gone next year once Josi's raise kicks in) but I don't think you can afford to part with Granlund right now. For the last month he's arguably been our best forward. Which also means his trade value is probably going up. Granlund, Smith, and Rocco, should all garner interest from contenders if Poile decides to sell... What are you going to do David? I don't envy your job right now.
- Squatchy

I was just thinking last night that Granlund will likely be traded now that he's lighting it up. Imagine if they sweep this roadtrip (I doubt it but you never know), that would probably put Poile in total buy mode, if he isn't there already. Or maybe he's waiting to see how Ellis fits in once he's back. I really have no idea how this is going to go. Isn't it great?

I was just thinking last night that Granlund will likely be traded now that he's lighting it up. Imagine if they sweep this roadtrip (I doubt it but you never know), that would probably put Poile in total buy mode, if he isn't there already. Or maybe he's waiting to see how Ellis fits in once he's back. I really have no idea how this is going to go. Isn't it great?
- FoxMulder

I'm been asking myself for a while now if Poile's more concerned with the long-term health of the team, or cementing his legacy by winning a cup regardless of whether or not he needs to leave scorched Earth behind him. The 24th will go a long way in deciding that. I've been down on him lately, but I know he's not a stupid man. He's gotta realize this team isn't one rent-a-player away from winning it all. I'd personally like to see a mini sell-off of guys you know won't be back. If he's going to buy, the only thing he'd be looking for is maybe a more reliable goal tender. The Preds advanced defensive stats 'claim' the Preds aren't actually that bad defensively. Maybe it is the inconsistent goal tending making the defense look worse than it actually is. Just please don't trade another #1 pick away for Ryan Hartman. Depending on how things swing, that might actually be a decent pick this year.

If DP has to scorch the earth to get a cup, I'll bring the salt and matches... YOLO go for the immediate cup and worry about the future later. (I dont think this team is a playoff calibur, let alone a sc contender)

I'm been asking myself for a while now if Poile's more concerned with the long-term health of the team, or cementing his legacy by winning a cup regardless of whether or not he needs to leave scorched Earth behind him. The 24th will go a long way in deciding that. I've been down on him lately, but I know he's not a stupid man. He's gotta realize this team isn't one rent-a-player away from winning it all. I'd personally like to see a mini sell-off of guys you know won't be back. If he's going to buy, the only thing he'd be looking for is maybe a more reliable goal tender. The Preds advanced defensive stats 'claim' the Preds aren't actually that bad defensively. Maybe it is the inconsistent goal tending making the defense look worse than it actually is. Just please don't trade another #1 pick away for Ryan Hartman. Depending on how things swing, that might actually be a decent pick this year.
- Squatchy