4 months ago:
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 19: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators takes a shot on goalie Steve Mason #1 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during their game at Nationwide Arena on January 19, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators wasted no time getting back into the win column after Tuesday's loss to the Rangers, with a convincing 3-0 victory over their personal slump-busters, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Preds are now 48-14-1 all-time against the BJ's.
Pekka Rinne stopped 38 shots for his first shutout since November 3rd against Phoenix, while Martin Erat led the scoring pace with a goal and an assist to lift the Predators to their ninth win in the last 11 games. Jerred Smithson even earned an assist on Shea Weber's empty-net goal in Smithson's return to the lineup.
Video highlights and post-game reaction from today's win after the jump:
Give Todd Richards a bit of credit behind the Columbus bench, it certainly seemed like the Blue Jackets came out strong in the first period. This team has nothing to play for and is missing a ton of players due to injury, so that can't be easy.
During the game, the Blue Jackets announced that defenseman Radek Martinek will miss the rest of the season with a concussion, signing former Predator Brett Lebda (remember those heady days?) to fill the gap.
Erat now has 48 points in 53 career games against Columbus. The Blue Jackets have been very, very good to him.
Rinne's record against Columbus is now 13-4-1, with 2 shutouts.
Jerred Smithson went 8-for-11 on the faceoff dot, and got in 2:40 on the successful penalty kill unit.
Derrick Brassard had probably the best chance of the night for Columbus, with Rinne down and out, but Kostitsyn lunged and disturbed his shot just enough that it got buried into Rinne's gut rather than the wide-open net. Brassard's body language afterward just spoke of pure frustration.
What we saw tonight was a perfect example of the Score Effect. Once the Preds went into that 3rd period with the lead, they eased off the gas offensively and focused on just keeping Columbus out of the high-danger areas, giving up a 18-8 shots advantage in the final period.
This win keeps the Preds in 6th place in the West, within arm's reach of the Chicago Blackhawks, who visit Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.
Shame Pekka had to make so many saves against a dreadful team like the Jackets. Good workout though. :)
Have to give C-bus fans credit for actually having increased attendence from last season. Takes some kind of fan to endure that manure.
It’s looking like the current top 7 in the west are going to pull away from the rest of the pack, leaving just a fight for the 8th seed. Expected more of a dog fight than that.
Definitely think Kostitsyn deserves a thumbs up as well. For most of the game he was pretty relentless going after players with the puck. I kind of wonder what Trotz said to him?
I have come to expect Detroit to always come back at the end of the game. However I usually expect Franzen to be hurt for a few weeks also, but it hasn’t happened yet.
and they’re leading Ottawa 1-0 as of right now. Come on Sens, don’t let us down… of course we have more points than SJS right now. Something’s wrong with that, the 4th place Central division team has more points in the standings than the Pacific division leading team.
exactly! Phoenix and LA have each played 47, the Ducks and the Stars have each played 45, and the Sharks are leading the division with only 43 games played
4 teams from the Central Division
2 teams from the Atlantic Division
2 teams from the Northeast Division
1 teams from the Northwest Division
1 teams from the Pacific Division
Any other teams want to complain about playing in “the hardest division” now??
Was talking with a Sabres fan last night. I think Lindy’s in trouble. Great guy and always thought he was a pretty good coach, but all good things … Would make Trotz the longest tenured with same team.
I feel like it’s probably unusual for ANY team to be that undisciplined. I mean once, I get, but three times? Dang! You almost have to try to do that, haha.
Coaching; Paulrus has Red Wing blood in him and very liked in the room. Gets the most out of his boys, and puts them in a position to succeed more often to note.
Luck; there was no telling what first year full timers Z. Smith, Greening, Condra, Daugavins, or Cowen would be at this level. They all look like legit NHLers in their roles.
Rebound return to form years from vets, from Spezza, Alfredsson, Neil, Gonchar, Kuba and Michalek, and an emerging Foligno, all who had down years last year.
Risk, in getting Kyle Turris (12-2-2 since the trade).
Karlsson. Nifty pick, about 7 picks behind Colin Wilson.
Anderson. The overall numbers are weighted negatively by October; in the past month or so he has been Rinnesque.
Grain of salt; every one has overachieved or performed at expectation except for Butler and Auld; some of those guys may come down to earth. Duagavins and Smith got hurt last night, it will be interesting to see if Butler or another can step up to fill the void.
I saw them up in DC earlier this year … didn’t win but was impressed. Anderson is playing very well, and Michalek is a beast. Glad Gonchar is in line for another playoff ride – great career, loved him when he was with the Caps, never got his due IMO. I’m not sure the Sens will keep up this pace, but Paulrus is your coach of the year so far. Probably the league’s biggest surprise this season.
that he gets booed vehemently in Wash (based on games I watch on TV/computer), but Pittsburgh cheered him when he returned, and haven’t ever booed him. Ottawa’s fans booed him during pre-game intros to the home opener…..
I agree, may not keep up the pace, but for a rebuilding club, Ottawa shouldn’t expect to make the playoffs….I think fans are happy (even at the end of last year) that so many young players are improving and looking like NHL players in their roles. Reminds me of Ottawa circa 1996-1997, their first year of 11 playoff appearances, many as a high seed, with so much young talent coming up, and lots of enthusiasm.
This time, though, with a goalie, like you said. That’s something they never tried before!
Caps go “woop woop woop” when a player that played for them returns and has the puck. Pens game there was great with Gonchar, especially when Crosby is on the ice. It goes something like this: Boooooooooooo, woop woop, booooooooooooooooooo, woop woop wooop woop, booooooooooo. Great stuff.
The Kyle Turris trade appears to have been a good one for the Sens (4g, 9a, 13 pts, +11, 22gms). That would work out to around 48 pts for a full season. Would have been a good get for the Preds! Maybe Yip can come in and give us a little scoring punch!! I think the team is starting to gel together. Lets keep it going and beat them 4 feathered guys!
Turris has 13 points, +13, in 16 games with the Sens, even more impressive when not weighted down by his Coyotes games.
He was a risk. He cost alot (Rundblad is a Karlsson/Ellis type of prospect).
And had rumors of having a bad attitude (held out, contract demands artificially high to force a trade, supposed inability to fit in Tippett’s system).
None of that, fortunately, has carried over, just a young talented guy wanted to fit in the system, and seems to have chemistry with his linemates Condra and Alfredsson.
If Weber and Suter were staying for years, Ellis would be superfluous….if not, he may be a top pair guy for years to come.
He would be type of guy Turris would (well, did) cost. At the time, I am not sure many folks would have been happy for that straight up…..Ottawa fans weren’t happy to give up Rundblad. Lots of media thought it was overpayment, with a #2 round pick to boot!But to get something, you have to give up something…….
10 years from now, when Rundblad is getting 30 PP points a year for somebody, the trade may not look so good….but for now, I’m happy!
A yawner for everyone but Rinne.
Shame Pekka had to make so many saves against a dreadful team like the Jackets. Good workout though. :)
Have to give C-bus fans credit for actually having increased attendence from last season. Takes some kind of fan to endure that manure.
It’s looking like the current top 7 in the west are going to pull away from the rest of the pack, leaving just a fight for the 8th seed. Expected more of a dog fight than that.
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
especially considering the weather up there tonight some good attendance
Herzausstein - January 19, 2012
Their thread said there were 17000+ there, and it was per Crispy, it was snowing there today.
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
The Marty Party deserves a thumbs up, but it's hard to peek out from behind the beasts that are Pekka Rinne and his shutout.
davisca - January 19, 2012
marty gets my vote
simply because i have to vote in these polls as if Rinne is already assumed to be #1
Herzausstein - January 19, 2012
Yeah, I tend to vote that way too.
(The only exception is usually when Rinne gets a shutout.)
davisca - January 19, 2012
Definitely think Kostitsyn deserves a thumbs up as well. For most of the game he was pretty relentless going after players with the puck. I kind of wonder what Trotz said to him?
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
he also had a big defensive play and saved a goal against
Herzausstein - January 19, 2012
Perhaps he said, “Contract Year”.
cisar - January 19, 2012
It is like clockwork....
As soon as the Game Summary comes up everyone disappears from the game thread.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
That's how I always know when it's time to transfer, haha.
davisca - January 19, 2012
For a second I always have that feeling like “was it something I said?”
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Oilers/Blues still at naught all with 5 minutes left in the 3rd.
PLEASE let Edmonton end it in regulation… PLEASE! We’re just 2 points behind St. Louis!!
davisca - January 19, 2012
Aaaaand St. Louis AND Detroit both instantly score.
Great.
davisca - January 19, 2012
Everybody hold your breath ’till the Oilers score.
Aaaaaand, go!
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
I have come to expect Detroit to always come back at the end of the game. However I usually expect Franzen to be hurt for a few weeks also, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Phoenix tied it up!!
davisca - January 19, 2012
Halak with SOs in 3 of his last 4!
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
did he really only face 15 shots?
Creeping Death - January 19, 2012
Edmonton kinda sucks without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, and whoever the third rookie I’m forgetting is.
davisca - January 19, 2012
Eberle?
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
That’s who I was thinking, but he played tonight.
davisca - January 19, 2012
I think I could have stopped 15 shots
Creeping Death - January 19, 2012
Oh, yep, that’s who I was thinking of! He had been day-to-day for a while with knee issues, but I guess he came back tonight.
davisca - January 19, 2012
Eberle was back tonight. Made no difference though. What would it take to pry him out of Edmonton I wonder? :)
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Probably more than we are willing to offer. He is going to be a stud.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Pickard was drafted ahead of him……..maybe they’ll do a swap! :D
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
please stop mentioning Pickard
every time Eberle comes up. Breaking news: worse player drafter before better player.
Sam Page - January 19, 2012
See:
Kevin Klein drafted before Shea Weber.
davisca - January 19, 2012
At least Klein is a decent NHL player. Pickard=borderline ECHL goalie.
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Yes, on this we can agree.
cisar - January 20, 2012
Konstantin Glazachev drafted before Klein AND Weber
Griz-ATL - January 20, 2012
Daigle was even higher
Lil cutie - January 20, 2012
Imagine how many losers were drafted before Pekka! Yay, us!
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
(switching over)
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
Yeah buddy, Phoenix ties it up.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Rising from the ashes!
Stormyt - January 19, 2012
To live again!
davisca - January 19, 2012
But St. Louis wins.
This is crazy!!
TootooReigns - January 19, 2012 via iPhone app
Unrelated:
Tuukka Rask looks like an elf or a fairy or something.
davisca - January 19, 2012
I think the hair just does him no favors.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Nope. There’s something about his eyes, too… I can’t pinpoint what it is.
davisca - January 19, 2012
I think its the eyebrows
Stormyt - January 19, 2012
Yeah, that’s it. It’s their effect on the eyes.
davisca - January 19, 2012
You should just photoshop you sunglasses on there.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Sorry, I am a chronic misspeller.
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Haha, it’s cool.
davisca - January 19, 2012
The looks like the offspring of a rabbit and a troll doll.
Stormyt - January 19, 2012
He*
Stormyt - January 19, 2012
Haha, he totally does.
davisca - January 19, 2012
His brother is a Nashville Predator!
Sam Page - January 19, 2012
He must have been going to an ugly sweater party… I wonder if that is the Jagermeister Buck?
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
thuggin'
JBoogie22 - January 19, 2012
Neil DeGrasse Tyson?
Lil cutie - January 20, 2012
DonBorvio - January 20, 2012
Haha!
davisca - January 21, 2012
DonBorvio - January 19, 2012
4 points out the NHL lead….. and 6th in our conference… that just doesn’t sound right! haha
Creeping Death - January 19, 2012
it doesn't
Our conference is just super competitive.
TootooReigns - January 19, 2012 via iPhone app
at least the top 6 are getting separation from the rest of the pack…
Creeping Death - January 19, 2012
Crazy!
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
San Jose is 3rd in the conference and has played the fewest games in the league. : (
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
and they’re leading Ottawa 1-0 as of right now. Come on Sens, don’t let us down… of course we have more points than SJS right now. Something’s wrong with that, the 4th place Central division team has more points in the standings than the Pacific division leading team.
Only Fan In J.C. ? - January 19, 2012
We do have 4 games on them. The rest of the Pacific division has no excuse though.
Stormyt - January 19, 2012
exactly! Phoenix and LA have each played 47, the Ducks and the Stars have each played 45, and the Sharks are leading the division with only 43 games played
Only Fan In J.C. ? - January 19, 2012
Your wish has been granted!
JonathanA - January 20, 2012
Many thanks!
davisca - January 20, 2012
In Top 10 Teams, we have....
4 teams from the Central Division
2 teams from the Atlantic Division
2 teams from the Northeast Division
1 teams from the Northwest Division
1 teams from the Pacific Division
Any other teams want to complain about playing in “the hardest division” now??
davisca - January 19, 2012
notice the completely unrepresented Southeast division.
Poor Caps, Jets, Cats, Bolts, and Canes.
Only Fan In J.C. ? - January 19, 2012
Yeah… ouch.
davisca - January 19, 2012
Tell me about it. :(
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
And the Central Division is 4 out of the top 8.
ILovethe#6CannonFire - January 19, 2012
so how did the guys look tonight? I was driving during the game
Creeping Death - January 19, 2012
I just saw the third period. They were decent. Not amazing, but not terrible. Typical Preds/Jackets game. Rinne was spectacular, per usual.
davisca - January 19, 2012
Columbus has exactly half the points of the league-leading Rangers and (muttering): Blackhawks.
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
but at least the Jackets beat the Oilers this week….
Only Fan In J.C. ? - January 19, 2012
ESPN has the Wings/Coyotes game as the game of the week.
I would think the Preds game Saturday would have more meaning.
Josiah2729 - January 19, 2012
Seriously!
God I hope we win that game. If we lose, I’m never going to hear the end of it.
davisca - January 19, 2012
I’ll cheer extra-loud (and that’s saying something!)
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
Man, the wheels have really fallen off the Sabres..
Lesson learned: Doesn’t mean buying a team always works!
DonBorvio - January 19, 2012
What do they have to sell?
Anything the Preds may be interested in?
Josiah2729 - January 19, 2012
Derek Roy?
Predmonton - January 19, 2012
Seems kind of pricey for the production
5 mil next year.
Josiah2729 - January 19, 2012
Feel bad for Pegula (Sabres owner). He gave his GM a full stack of cash to spend and he got Leino and a really overpriced Dman in Erhoff (sp).
None of the players the Sabres will likely want to move are the game changer type we would benefit from. More secondary type guys like Roy and Boyes.
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Was talking with a Sabres fan last night. I think Lindy’s in trouble. Great guy and always thought he was a pretty good coach, but all good things … Would make Trotz the longest tenured with same team.
el pucko - January 20, 2012
Factoid before Saturday’s game, from Twitter:
Police say we’ve gone 24 hours without a shooting or murder in #Chicago — first time in a year http://bit.ly/zUV2qa
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
You’re kidding, right?
davisca - January 19, 2012
Nope; it was retweeted by TopTweets.
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
I linked to it on Facebook and I’ve gotten a lot of amused responses from my Chicago friends.
davisca - January 19, 2012
was there some kind of gang holiday then?
Creeping Death - January 19, 2012
Detroit has now gone to OT in 5 of the last 7.
Josiah2729 - January 19, 2012
That's really interesting.
davisca - January 19, 2012
I think they like shootouts. All about the drama……
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
I wish they would quit. Especially when playing the Hawks.
Josiah2729 - January 19, 2012
I. Hate. Bertuzzi. Mainly as a person, but in the shootout, too.
LuvthePreds - January 19, 2012
That guy is on my “Honey Badger” list (i.e., I don’t give a damn about him).
davisca - January 19, 2012
And the Wings win again. Coyotes are losing a lot of games in OT and shootouts. Not helpful to their playoff hopes.
Phoenix had 3 to many men on the ice penalties tonight. Has to be a record.
Grizzledbear - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Holy crap that’s a lot of extra guys skating around! How do you do that THREE times?!
davisca - January 19, 2012
Unusual for a Dave Tippett team to be that undisciplined.
Grizzledbear - January 20, 2012 via mobile
I feel like it’s probably unusual for ANY team to be that undisciplined. I mean once, I get, but three times? Dang! You almost have to try to do that, haha.
davisca - January 20, 2012
Yotes
Im too lazy to look it up, but I believe Phoenix did well last year in ot and shoot outs. Now they are leaving points on the table.
The only real difference I see is in goal, where IMO, they regressed.
Predator Don - January 20, 2012
I counted 30 "UUUUUH"s from Marty in 1:35.
That’s approximately 1 “UH” every 3 seconds! Well done, Marty. Well done.
davisca - January 20, 2012
Ottawa
Would anyone care to explain the 2011/2012 Senators to me? Last season they were bottom feeders and now they’re a freaking juggernaut.
MekootLobo - January 20, 2012
The Wild and Panthers sort of tapered off like I predicted they would, but the Sens have stayed dominant for some reason I have yet to quantify.
MekootLobo - January 20, 2012
Many reasons
Coaching; Paulrus has Red Wing blood in him and very liked in the room. Gets the most out of his boys, and puts them in a position to succeed more often to note.
Luck; there was no telling what first year full timers Z. Smith, Greening, Condra, Daugavins, or Cowen would be at this level. They all look like legit NHLers in their roles.
Rebound return to form years from vets, from Spezza, Alfredsson, Neil, Gonchar, Kuba and Michalek, and an emerging Foligno, all who had down years last year.
Risk, in getting Kyle Turris (12-2-2 since the trade).
Karlsson. Nifty pick, about 7 picks behind Colin Wilson.
Anderson. The overall numbers are weighted negatively by October; in the past month or so he has been Rinnesque.
Grain of salt; every one has overachieved or performed at expectation except for Butler and Auld; some of those guys may come down to earth. Duagavins and Smith got hurt last night, it will be interesting to see if Butler or another can step up to fill the void.
PekKarlsson - January 20, 2012
I saw them up in DC earlier this year … didn’t win but was impressed. Anderson is playing very well, and Michalek is a beast. Glad Gonchar is in line for another playoff ride – great career, loved him when he was with the Caps, never got his due IMO. I’m not sure the Sens will keep up this pace, but Paulrus is your coach of the year so far. Probably the league’s biggest surprise this season.
el pucko - January 20, 2012
Its weird
that he gets booed vehemently in Wash (based on games I watch on TV/computer), but Pittsburgh cheered him when he returned, and haven’t ever booed him. Ottawa’s fans booed him during pre-game intros to the home opener…..
I agree, may not keep up the pace, but for a rebuilding club, Ottawa shouldn’t expect to make the playoffs….I think fans are happy (even at the end of last year) that so many young players are improving and looking like NHL players in their roles. Reminds me of Ottawa circa 1996-1997, their first year of 11 playoff appearances, many as a high seed, with so much young talent coming up, and lots of enthusiasm.
This time, though, with a goalie, like you said. That’s something they never tried before!
PekKarlsson - January 20, 2012
Caps go “woop woop woop” when a player that played for them returns and has the puck. Pens game there was great with Gonchar, especially when Crosby is on the ice. It goes something like this: Boooooooooooo, woop woop, booooooooooooooooooo, woop woop wooop woop, booooooooooo. Great stuff.
cisar - January 20, 2012
ah you beat me to this .. exactly right … did the same with Larry Murphy
el pucko - January 20, 2012 via Android app
Interesting
almost as fun as the Yip Yip Yips! the Bridgestone Arena will surely experience.
PekKarlsson - January 20, 2012
All the WOOP’s sound awesome. Very loud.
cisar - January 20, 2012
That’s hysterical.
davisca - January 21, 2012
Erat
Also, Marty is on pace for 61 points, the most on the team,
MekootLobo - January 20, 2012
erat's had a great year
Besides that one injury, he has stayed healthy (knock on wood) and is contributing at a solid ppg pace.
JBoogie22 - January 20, 2012 via iPhone app
February is going to make or break this team.
Look at this lineup: @PHI, STL, VAN, @OTT, @BOS, CHI, @DET, @DAL, VAN, STL, SJS, LAK, @CAR
Except perhaps the last two games, that’s pretty much all the top teams in the NHL.
DonBorvio - January 20, 2012
The Kyle Turris trade appears to have been a good one for the Sens (4g, 9a, 13 pts, +11, 22gms). That would work out to around 48 pts for a full season. Would have been a good get for the Preds! Maybe Yip can come in and give us a little scoring punch!! I think the team is starting to gel together. Lets keep it going and beat them 4 feathered guys!
Weeze - January 20, 2012
Just like to add
Turris has 13 points, +13, in 16 games with the Sens, even more impressive when not weighted down by his Coyotes games.
He was a risk. He cost alot (Rundblad is a Karlsson/Ellis type of prospect).
And had rumors of having a bad attitude (held out, contract demands artificially high to force a trade, supposed inability to fit in Tippett’s system).
None of that, fortunately, has carried over, just a young talented guy wanted to fit in the system, and seems to have chemistry with his linemates Condra and Alfredsson.
PekKarlsson - January 20, 2012
Hmmm, maybe I’ll have to reassess my view on that trade. :)
He’s no Yip though. :D
Grizzledbear - January 20, 2012 via mobile
I said earlier in the season we should go after Turris!
DonBorvio - January 21, 2012
Would have required Poile to let go of one of his Dman prospects. He holds them tighter than Linus does his blanket. :D
Grizzledbear - January 21, 2012 via mobile
Linus Klasen?
DonBorvio - January 21, 2012
Reading GBs comment
Linus Klasen immediately came to mind; clever!
PekKarlsson - January 21, 2012
If that Linus was a Dman, he’d still be here. :D
Grizzledbear - January 21, 2012 via mobile
Ryan Ellis?
If Weber and Suter were staying for years, Ellis would be superfluous….if not, he may be a top pair guy for years to come.
He would be type of guy Turris would (well, did) cost. At the time, I am not sure many folks would have been happy for that straight up…..Ottawa fans weren’t happy to give up Rundblad. Lots of media thought it was overpayment, with a #2 round pick to boot!But to get something, you have to give up something…….
10 years from now, when Rundblad is getting 30 PP points a year for somebody, the trade may not look so good….but for now, I’m happy!
PekKarlsson - January 21, 2012
10 years from now IF Rundblad is getting those points.
I don’t think Ellis is superfluous. He would be great paired with Josi for the next four years.
cisar - January 21, 2012
I'm writing in Smithson for Player of the Game
He KILLED on face-offs and was excellent considering he had been on IR until last night.
predrock - January 20, 2012
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