This was a busy week for the Nashville Predators, made more difficult by the absence of Ryan Suter on the blueline. The burden of assuming Suter's defensive responsibilities fell on many players' shoulders, but one guy who stood out from the pack was defenseman Kevin Klein, who has taken on tough matchups while providing a safety net for rookie Roman Josi.
A shutdown defenseman's work is usually a thankless job - much like referees, the old saying applies that the less seen of them, the better. Klein's appearances on the highlight reel, more often than not, end up in frustration as an opponent scores on the Predators, and he doesn't get to balance those out with the offensive chances or power play ice time that others do. In olden times, these guys were called "stay at home" defensemen, but in the modern NHL those kinds of immobile blueliners have mostly gone the way of the Dodo. When it comes to pure skating ability, Klein is as athletic as they come, it's just that the focus of his game is on the gritty, unglamorous side of things.
This week, however, Klein chipped in with an assist in the 3-0 win at Columbus Thursday night, after two strong efforts against the Islanders and Rangers on Monday and Tuesday. Through those three games, he averaged 21:35 of ice time, while not being out there for for a single goal against.
Then, against Chicago Saturday night, he earned First Star of the Game honors not only due to strong work in his own end of the ice and a season-high 4 shots on goal, but for this laugher of a goal on the Blackhawks' Corey Crawford. Later, he followed that up with a fine point shot which Patric Hornqvist tipped home for the Preds' fifth goal of the night. All in all, the week brought a little bit of everything for Kleiner - solid defensive play (notice the lack of penalties), a couple assists, and a goal which only the hockey gods could bestow upon a player they deem worthy. Who am I to argue with the hockey gods?
0 recs | 35 comments
SUP HATERS!?!
Preds Fanatic - January 22, 2012
+2 for the week
brings him to… -7
Sam Page - January 22, 2012
oh..
That’s what’s up. Haha
Preds Fanatic - January 22, 2012
HAHAHA
Rec.
davisca - January 23, 2012
Klein! Klein! Klein!
3DLink - January 22, 2012 via Android app
Klein's stats aren't all that surprising
he is steady and producing a minor clip better than his career avg, but stepping up and chipping in here and there are exactly how the Preds are built…..
jeffery101y - January 22, 2012
Uh oh, where's cisar?
DonBorvio - January 22, 2012
he is crying and enjoying the moment
Creeping Death - January 22, 2012
Sorry, sniff sniff, I’m a little verklempt.
cisar - January 23, 2012
Does anyone remember just when he went out with the flu, because I’d like to see what our record was while he was out. I remember that the defense looked a lot worse, but don’t remember the specifics.
LuvthePreds - January 22, 2012
i'd be more interested to compare his before and after flu stats
he has been great since coming back from the flu
Herzausstein - January 22, 2012
if i remember correctly at one point his +/- was close to -17
Herzausstein - January 22, 2012
The rest of the team, apart from Weber/Suter, was pretty bad as well.
Josiah2729 - January 23, 2012
blum and some cube pairings hurt. he seemed ok with hillen.
predwheels - January 23, 2012
Is the highlight not working for anyone else?
Not sure what’s going on there.
Dirk Hoag - January 22, 2012
Not working for me
Preds Fanatic - January 22, 2012
There we go
It should work now, if you refresh the page.
Dirk Hoag - January 22, 2012
That’s got it
Preds Fanatic - January 22, 2012
sign #8
Of the end of the world.
Shadow23 - January 22, 2012 via iPhone app
he does become ufa after next season.
predwheels - January 23, 2012
Hats off to KK!!! Keep it up!!
Creeping Death - January 22, 2012
Hats go off!
And they stay there!
davisca - January 23, 2012
I like him. That goal was sweet.
He said he “put some english on it.”
Good things happen when you put the puck on net.
Josiah2729 - January 22, 2012
Looks like I’m going to have to find a new scapegoat for when things go wrong.
Stormyt - January 22, 2012
Hillen’s at the top of the list.
DonBorvio - January 23, 2012
Its just not as much fun to yell as KLEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
Yes! Kevin Klein! Get those Klein Klangers out and ring, ring, ring’em!
Finally, Kleiner is getting some love. He currently deserves it as he has stepped up his game this season and has been continually improving. I’m glad to see it, I knew he had it in him.
Who is the man responsible for Klein stepping it up to a point where he is the OTH Hero of the Week?
Frank Stallone.
<Psst, Dirk! The check is in the mail ;)>
cisar - January 23, 2012
I love that little tidbit about the lack of penalties
The last penalty that Klein took was Oct 29th. Double minor for Roughing (vs. Beauchemin) following the Fisher blind-side hit that knocked Fish out for a few games. These 4 penalty minutes are the only penalty minutes that Klein has picked up so far this year. 4 penalty minutes for sticking up for a teammate, and it was coinciental, so Klein has not put the Preds on a PK yet this year.
Only Fan In J.C. ? - January 23, 2012
Hmmm, that is pretty impressive.
Grizzledbear - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Wow. Yeah, that is massively impressive.
davisca - January 23, 2012
Ladies…
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
You sure do stay up awful late for a grad student…
cisar - January 23, 2012
Haha, yea I’m definitely a night owl. Always have been.
davisca - January 23, 2012
I knew that. But yes, impressive.
cisar - January 23, 2012
apocalypse
i wondered with yesterdays storms, but i think all is right with the world. i am also one who has defended klein, and has been reffered to not to watch games, i am currently laughing. both the 1st star saturday and otf hero of the week, teaches us don’t hate the 8.
predwheels - January 23, 2012
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