It was the battle of two top-three power plays and the winning team went 1-1 on the man advantage, the losers 0-4. Go figure.
Vancouver's lone power play tally was the first goal of the game, as Ryan Kesler scored on a one-timer at 11:42. Frustratingly, Pekka was square Kesler on the play, but still couldn't make the save. Colin Wilson answered quickly, though, at 13:47, walking into the Canucks zone 1-on-2, scoring through the tiny space between Luongo's left arm and body.
Tied, and with their second power play chance late in the period, the Predators looked in good shape, but they promptly dug a nice-sized hole for themselves, allowing two goals in the final 100 seconds of the period. The recently recalled Byron Bitz, who had all of one goal this season in the AHL, scored his first of the year on an odd-man rush created by a bad Preds' change. Bitz added his first assist of the season a few seconds later, when Henrik Sedin beat Francis Bouillon to the front of the net.
To their immense credit, the Predators stuck to the system, confident they had mostly outplayed the Cancuks for 18 minutes of the first. After a productive shift from the Yip-Spaling-Tootoo line, Kevin Klein deflected a puck of Sergei Kostitsyn's skate and into the net, just like they practice. Roberto Luongo then decided to even it up, kicking a Shea Weber shot into his own net. They gave the goal to Mike Fisher, because why not?
That score would hold through a third period in which the Canucks mostly controlled the play (though David Legwand uncharacteristically looked off an empty net) and an overtime in which the Preds had some chances.
The Preds shot themselves in the foot tonight, but get full marks for coming back and being uncharacteristically aggressive in overtime. Hard to be too disappointed with a point tonight, especially since Vancouver will probably win their division anyway. Besides, this game going to overtime ticks off all our rivals!
Notes, highlights, and shootout judgement after the jump
UPDATE: We've got loads of audio for you!
Kevin Weekes on 1025 2012-02-07 (mp3)
Predators Canucks radio highlights 2012-02-07 (mp3)
David Legwand on 1025 2012-02-07 (mp3)
Post-game audio is also available from Barry Trotz, Colin Wilson, Patric Hornqvist, Pekka Rinne, and Mike Fisher (click each name for the mp3).
Video Highlights:
Notes:
Finally, here's how I scored the dangles:
Raymond: 3, Kostitsyn: 2, Kesler: 2, Erat: 4, Burrows: 6, Legwand: 7, Sedin: 5, Fisher: 4, Hodgson: 5, Ellis: 5, Edler: 5, Wilson: 3
0 recs | 55 comments
This was the game...
that proves that extra scorer would put us over the top. 35 minutes, 1 goal would’ve made allllll the difference.
DonBorvio - February 7, 2012
Yup.
Also, I really don’t want to deal with Vancouver in the playoffs again.
davisca - February 7, 2012
Not me either really. Very grindy and every little mistake is exploited on both sides, which can be entertaining as it is highly frustrating.
DonBorvio - February 7, 2012
Exactly.
davisca - February 8, 2012
Horse feathers. We played great. Peks let in a few soft ones that he doesn’t usually let in. We still scored three goals. They are a tough team to play against. So are we.
cisar - February 8, 2012
Lots of positives from this game but
it’s unfortunate that it seems like the Preds either go up two goals in the first or dig a hole early. This game was hard to take because of how well they played through most of the first. However, you have to love the ability of this team to continually comeback in games, though you’d of course like for them not to have to do that. Being down two to one of the best teams in the league after one and yet still feeling like the Preds should have won the game is a good sign going forward.
Anyone know what Smithson’s stats (and advanced stats) were like? I’ve really liked Bourque and Yip’s play together and would like to see more, even if that means we’re deprived of Smithsonface every game.
Also, Chicago lost 5-2 to Colorado… thanks, Avs!
Greenster - February 7, 2012
Here's the advance stats, Mr. Hicks
http://timeonice.com/shots1112.php?gamenumber=20793
Sam Page - February 7, 2012
Thanks, Mr. Page. You play from the heart.
Greenster - February 8, 2012
I’m just trying to do the little things.
Sam Page - February 8, 2012
So happy to see Chicago lose.
They’re losing their shit over at SCH.
davisca - February 7, 2012
Ugh, watching election returns is making me pukey.
DonBorvio - February 8, 2012
Wasn’t a big fan of Toots and smith being the guys that lost shifts in the 3rd. Thought they played.
Still maintain Ellis needs to be headed to ANA or back to Milwaukee. I want Gill playing with Klein and Josi with the Cube.
wrandsw - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I thought Ellis did well, actually. He was +/-0, had 1 SOG, and 17:30 TOI, not to mention his SO run… which definitely would have gone in if he put a tiny bit more wood on it. I’d rather get rid of Hillen. Cube has his bad moments, but he isn’t TERRIBLE.
davisca - February 8, 2012
In my view, Ellis holds his own and produces offensive chances. If anyone had a bad game, it was Josi but that isn’t the norm. Ellis may not be huge physically but neither is Cube. Ellis might be good trade bait but he wouldn’t be my first choice to leave.
Catwoman - February 8, 2012
His Corsi was also only -2 tonight, too. Not bad for a Dman.
davisca - February 8, 2012
Ellis is hugely sheltered
he hardly plays in the third period or on any defensive faceoffs. This team doesn’t need to cary a power play specialist at the expense of the rest of the defense. I too think the Preds should try to trade to force him out of the lineup.
Sam Page - February 8, 2012
But we might as well give him some playing experience while we can, right? What if we have to pull him up in the post-season???
davisca - February 8, 2012
I agree but any defenseman on the third pairing on a Trotz team is going to play sheltered minutes.
Proof of this is that both Ellis’ and Hillen’s +/- is +6 and +3 respectively for the season. I think Hillen is fine as a third pairing D, playing 12-14 min a night. Ellis is a waste of a defensive spot in his current role, as his contributions on the PP are negligible currently and playing 3rd pairing minutes isn’t developing him. Look at Bouillon’s, Josi’s and even Klein’s defensive numbers and it is obvious where the defensive gaps exist, especially as they relate to Bouillon and Josi.
GoPreds00 - February 8, 2012
so you think we should get rid of a guy who has won and excelled in every league he has been in after less than half a season? because he doesnt play third period minutes, or key faceoffs when you would like a more skilled presence in your defensive zone you want to ship him out. i for one cant wait to see what records he breaks at this level.
Donangelo - February 8, 2012
If he brings a Ryan, nash, or something similar and makes suter sign on the dotted line then in a NY minute. If not send him to Milwaukee after Gill gets here and save the 1st yr.
wrandsw - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I don't want to trade him
I want to send him to Milwaukee.
Sam Page - February 8, 2012
Cube lacks height but has muscle and bulk. Ellis has neither.
Yes a bad game by Josi is rare, but I would much rather he be getting 17:30 a night because we have a legit #4 dman and Ellis be wearing a Ducks sweater because we have a new guy pulling on #9.
Also while I am wishing, I would like to see 22-15-24 become the 7,8,9 guys in the top 9 and let 25-13-18 be the guys getting 10 minutes a night. I almost like our lines better on the road because Trotz can’t play the stupid matchups as much. He plays them so much at home that guys lose ice time because of who comes out for a faceoff from the other bench. Frustrating to no end for me.
wrandsw - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Correction
22 and 15 being paired with 9 or the guy that gets pushed down because of 9 after the trade and 24-18 with Smithers or spaling
wrandsw - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Eh. Disagree.
davisca - February 8, 2012
What do you disagree? 22 and 15 getting top 9 minutes? Or demoting 13 to fourth line duty?
wrandsw - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Sorry, I was running out the door and didn't have a chance to explain right then.
However, upon second reading, I think I must have misread or miscomprehended what I read earlier because now I can’t figure out what I was disagreeing with…. Sooo yeah…. Never mind, I guess!
Carry on!
davisca - February 8, 2012
We can play with anyone.
Do we need a scorer? Maybe, if one is out there. Do we need a 2nd pair Dman? Perhaps. All I know is we flew in this game. 40 shots and tons of pressure. If we can stay healthy we have a chance to make some things happen.
bandman - February 8, 2012
True, but when you combine the amount of pressure we put on them in the first two periods AND our 40 shots, you’d think we’d have scored a few more goals.
I still think we need a little sumthin’-sumthin’ up front. I think problem is that there aren’t many sellers right now. GMDP is not the only guy who’s having issues with that, I would bet.
davisca - February 8, 2012
Geez, I sound kind of grumpy and attack-y in that, don’t I? Sorry, haha. That was totally not supposed to sound like it does.
davisca - February 8, 2012
Not grumpy, just frustrated. We need that one extra piece to the puzzle.
Catwoman - February 8, 2012
Yep, DP needs to find that sumthin-sumthin….pull the rabbit out the hat, so to speak.
Catwoman - February 8, 2012
Nice complement from SCH (I'm still reading their PTSD responses to the loss):
davisca - February 8, 2012
I cannot wait for that to happen!
I want to be there in June screaming “WE WANT THE CUP!”
DonBorvio - February 8, 2012
I’ll scream it from my house in Boston!!! Though actually, on second thought, screw it. I’ll just shell out the money to come to Nashville and buy tickets. Who cares.
davisca - February 8, 2012
I’m just worried about actually getting the tickets lol
DonBorvio - February 8, 2012
No kidding, haha.
davisca - February 8, 2012
I hope in some way...Toronto makes it to the final with Nashville
Nosebleed seats will start from near $1000 but I’d pay anything to see Nashville in the finals!
Klein(er) - February 8, 2012
Might be cheaper to fly/drive and see the game down here!
DonBorvio - February 8, 2012
Haha, no kidding.
davisca - February 8, 2012
If we could win the Cup……maybe I wouldn’t have to sit thru 10 replays of eastern games before they show the Preds…….
Who am I kidding.
Predator Don - February 8, 2012
Don't get your hopes up...
(And I’m talking about the EC game replays.)
davisca - February 8, 2012
if we won the cup
the analysis would be that “Eastern Conference team X lost the Cup”
JBoogie22 - February 8, 2012
I don't feel too bad about this game
We played the defending Western Conference Champs, and took them 6 rounds into a shootout. Would I have liked 2 points? Sure, but you can’t win them all, and if you can’t win them all, at least try to lose it in OT.
This game doesn’t help the Canucks too much since they have pretty much locked in to the top spot in their conference, and getting a point means being tied with St. Lewis and just down 3 from Detroit as opposed to being a point behind the Blues and 4 from the Redwings. I think these 1 point games are going to end up being very valuable at the end of the season.
I have a feeling that unless we go on a tear and win our division, we are going to see the Blues in the playoffs. As it stands now, the Blues would be 4th and we would be 5th. I think we will trade off with them throughout the rest of the season for the 4th spot and (hopefully) end up seeing them at home for the first two games.
This is also contingent on Chicago continuing to do their part by losing. I think that is their 4th straight loss and 5th since before the allstar break.
Preds of State - February 8, 2012
I thought we looked awesome
but you have to credit Luongo for partially doing to us what The Pekka has done so many times to the opposition. We could have easily run away with it in the third if not for some lights out play by that dirty #$%&er (and a couple of posts).
I hate to say it but, I actually think it’s time to scratch Smitty. I love the guy but we can really roll 4 lines if you put Bourque in his spot. Man, it pains me to admit that.
Marcus Newman - February 8, 2012
u mean smithson or smith?
Not sure if everyone is calling him HB yet.
JBoogie22 - February 8, 2012 via iPhone app
Smithson. If Smith gets a healthy scratch I might have to smack somebody.
Marcus Newman - February 8, 2012
Oh good. I was gonna smack you if you said Smith-HB, lol
davisca - February 8, 2012
That would deserve a good smack. :)
Marcus Newman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I heard someone say that Kostitsyn had 3 shots!
I know everyone likes to beat up on the guy, but he has been impressive lately.
Josiah2729 - February 8, 2012
but Caroline can yell at him, because when she does, he scores.
Josiah2729 - February 8, 2012
the trick is...
… yelling at him to shoot in Belarussian.
djzielin - February 8, 2012
It is funny,
if you go back and look at some of the threads, like the game preview thread, she will go off about how he sucks, he doesn’t shoot or whatever. When she has an epic Kostitsyn sucks post, he will score at least 1 goal in the next game.
Josiah2729 - February 8, 2012
It’s true!!
davisca - February 8, 2012
True, however
He did pass up two EXCELLENT opportunities to shoot the puck at close range in OT… on the same shift. That’s when he’s maddening to watch. I can’t complain with his results lately though, and I don’t generally like the biotching about his shooting, or lack thereof.
Predaceous - February 8, 2012
Well, for a while he legitimately deserved it. I think he’s generally been performing much better as of late. It just seems, though, that whenever I yell at him, he scores… so my superstitious side says keep going!! My complaining isn’t nearly as truthfully-based, now. It’s just vague superstition that I use when the game feels appropriate :)
davisca - February 8, 2012
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