The Nashville Predators played from behind most of the way tonight, and due to six penalties taken over the final two periods, couldn't take control of tonight's game, falling to the Ottawa Senators 4-3. The Sens halted a 7-game losing streak thanks to two scores by defenseman Chris Phillips (playing in his 1000th NHL game), his first two goals of the season. Nashville got a goal by Martin Erat with 8.6 seconds left to pull within one, but that wasn't enough this time.
Video highlights and post-game reaction from this one follow after the jump:
Cue the video (might take 30-45 minutes post-game to work):
Your random observations:
As nice as Gabriel Bourque's goal was to even things at 1-1 late in the first period, the extended penalty kill at the beginning of the second was pretty inspired.
Typically after such a long PK, the other team's offensive stars are gassed, providing an opportunity for the Preds to seize the short-term advantage, but they just couldn't seem to get things rolling. Instead, the Sens pulled ahead on Phillips' first goal since February 26 of last year, and Nashville had to play catch-up from there on in.
Those constant penalties by the Preds, however, undermined any comeback attempt. When you need goals to get back into the game, and Jerred Smithson ends up with more ice time than Patric Hornqvist, that's a problem.
Pekka Rinne didn't have a particularly strong game, but it would have taken a miracle to make the difference tonight.
St. Louis kept on trucking with a come-from-behind, shootout victory over New Jersey, so Nashville has some work to do to get back into the hunt for 4th in the West or the Central Division title.
Stay tuned for an update on Francis Bouillon, who took a shot off the hand which looked like it stung him badly.
That late goal for Martin Erat gave him two more points tonight, and 42 in 47 on the season. At this pace, he'll crack that coveted 60-point plateau for the first time...
All in all, this was a bit disappointing but not the end of the world. The Sens have some nifty offensive talent up front, and there were a few occasions where it looked like the game was being played on Olympic ice, they were so spread out and wide-open at times. With Boston, Chicago, and Detroit coming up on the schedule, however, the road won't get any easier.
may be haunting us as much anything right now. i know you cant produce the same every day but i think a trade would shake things up…..outside the box of trade proposals heard on the rumor mill, i think Eric Staal or even Chris Stewart make grand additions to compliment our forward corps. we need a game changer for sure…..and Mark Eaton would be a nice addition on D
How has he done? I know Smithson is “every coaches dream,” but I am not seeing it right now.
I think they will get it going again. Scoring is happening, but they are making some mistakes and Pekka is not looking as strong as he did before the break.
Is Yip hurt or something? His energy was sorely missed; and why so much ice time for Smithson? He’s completely useless outside of the face-off square. He should be receiving the least ice time considering his near nonexistent contribution to offense.
Also, I’m sick of seeing Suter play like he doesn’t give a ****. Shape up or ship out. Stop being a distraction.
look at ice times for defenseman. i do believe suter and weber were extremely overplayed. the other 4 defenseman had 16 or 17 minutes each. its not like these guys stop everything, and the other 4 justr give them a quick breather.
the first sens goal showed suter not being in position to stop a rush again. wasn’t he outbodied on one or 2 others? he had 2 assists, so some here think he can do no wrong.
They over play Suter and Weber every night. It is part of Trotz’ game plan or as I see it, his security blanket. Last night those guys played lazy and playing them more minutes didn’t improve that situation. In fact it made it worse.
Bouillon and Klein looked awful on the PK last night. Not sure Josi is an answer defensively either. Both he and Ellis are showing rookie fatigue in my opinion, and are starting to get sloppy.
That’s ironic isn’t it? You’d think if Suter wanted to get picked up, he’d be playing lights-out. And if he wants big money from whoever July 1 – same thing. Pretty strange.
Maybe it’s like this: as Suter and Weber play, so play the others. If they aren’t on their game, then the team falters. Has anyone noted any trend in this direction?
maybe it is that Suter is not the “end all, be all” of defencemen. I mean we know the guy is good, even really good. But how much is only because he plays with another great defencemen in Weber. “Talk amongst yourselves”
I think he has PHENOMENAL vision and puck control, regardless of whether or not he plays with Weber. Until this whole media thing blew up and people suddenly realized how good Suter is, I would have very confidently said that he was THE most underrated defenseman in the entire NHL.
I love having Suter and Weber on the team. I hope that they both sign mult year deals and stay here for the rest of their careers, but am I then only one that has notices that Suter has been “off” lately. I watch every game and go to every home game and notice that he is being moved off the puck a lot! I don’t know it looks like he may be…ummm…“distracted”. Hmmmmm
But he said he didn’t want any distractions, then proceeded to give an interview. I guess I’m just annoyed that the team hasn’t played that great since the break, because this is certainly no time to have a down time!
we need Smith/Chucky's line to be a headache for the opposition
With Smithson on that line, it’s just not that same as it is with Yip. For whatever gains they get with Smithson’s PK and faceoff abilities (although it has seemed lately that the PK was better in games Smithson did not play in), they lose just as much /more in offensive dropoff. I’m not sure Yip is the answer long-term for that line, but I do think it’s the best option we have right now. Consider this: when Yip/Halischuck/Bourque were scratched and returned to the lineup, they each made a statement in their returns to the lineup. What has Smithson done? I’m becoming more and more convinced Smithson no longer has a place on this team- at least not right now. Sure, he would be fine for a depth fill-in at the moment, but I am envisioning picking up a 2nd line scorer to play with Leggy and Horny and putting Wilson on the line with Smith and Chucky. Come playoffs, we could roll 4 lines (I am ok with limiting Smith’s minutes until then to stay fresh) and be a major matchup problem for any opposing coach. Hopefully the trade market will shape up and allow GMDP such a move, for without it, we’re not getting past the 2nd round.
Yeah, but the trick is to get Coach to stop feeling sorry for Smithson and letting him play. Trotz said he was the best on face-offs, but we really had few of them last nite.
has been doing very well on the dot…the faceoff excuse for Smithson isn’t adding up anymore…scratch Smithson and put Yip back in. A tencious 3rd and 4th line is a nightmare for other teams…that’s how Detroit does it and begrudgingly look where it gets them.
I think it’s time to trade Smitty. Good as he his at faceoffs, he kinda doesn’t fit the scheme anymore. Just like JP last year. I like the guy a lot, but he doesn’t fit the new, faster, younger Preds team.
I agree. I love Smitty so much, and he does a lot of great things for us, and I’d hate to see him go, but I don’t think his role is quite as necessary anymore. He needs to go to a team that needs some more offensive-defensive help.
Am I allowed to post in this thread or will the posse attack me here too?
Not re-signing SOB was dumb, dumb, dumb. The current young d-men are just too small and are easily being pushed off the puck down low in the defensive zone, allowing the opponent numerous scoring chances. A bigger defenseman like Elkholm (CRAP!) would be nice right now.
I do agree that we let SOB go probably a year early, though. For all the low cost high reward gambles GMDP takes, SOB would have been a good way to hedge his bets.
You can’t have a comeback when you didn’t even show up for the game….
Creeping Death - February 9, 2012
This cannot be stressed enough.
davisca - February 9, 2012
Hahaha. Seriously. I was watching with my brother and I actually said to him, “Uh, do they even know a game is going on right now?”
emzee - February 9, 2012
crap game. crap effort.
thx guys.
Shawn Kehoe - February 9, 2012
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davisca - February 9, 2012
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Sam Page - February 9, 2012
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davisca - February 10, 2012
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Sam Page - February 10, 2012
,
JBoogie22 - February 10, 2012
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davisca - February 10, 2012
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Sam Page - February 10, 2012
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davisca - February 10, 2012
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Sam Page - February 10, 2012
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davisca - February 10, 2012
Haha, and this last one before bed:
davisca - February 10, 2012
How I felt going into the game, followed by the game starting:
davisca - February 10, 2012
This is fun!
Josiah2729 - February 10, 2012
Here’s the original. It’s HILARIOUS.
davisca - February 10, 2012
This is the perfect pic for last nite’s debacle!
amyinsparta - February 10, 2012
Yeah, haha it really is.
davisca - February 10, 2012
MekootLobo - February 10, 2012
Unrelated, but I always think your name says "Meerkat Logo". Haha.
davisca - February 10, 2012
Predators, you know I will always love you.
But that does NOT mean I like you right now.
PITIFUL showing. I’m so disappointed. We both know you can do better.
davisca - February 9, 2012
Hopefully someone will light a fire and get them going again...
Webeard time?
Josiah2729 - February 9, 2012
It’s time to start growing it out.
davisca - February 9, 2012
not just yet. If he starts in February, it’ll be down to his knees by the 2nd round.
CAustin - February 10, 2012
are you putting them in time out?
CAustin - February 10, 2012
Yes I am! I will go get them in a few minutes, and then we will talk about what they have done.
davisca - February 10, 2012
:)
CAustin - February 10, 2012
inconsistent effort
may be haunting us as much anything right now. i know you cant produce the same every day but i think a trade would shake things up…..outside the box of trade proposals heard on the rumor mill, i think Eric Staal or even Chris Stewart make grand additions to compliment our forward corps. we need a game changer for sure…..and Mark Eaton would be a nice addition on D
jeffery101y - February 9, 2012
If Eaton were added to this team, he would be the 8th best defenseman...
They guy is a pilon and has been so ever since joining the Islanders. His best days are 3+ years behind him.
GoPreds00 - February 10, 2012
Has Yip been on the PK?
How has he done? I know Smithson is “every coaches dream,” but I am not seeing it right now.
I think they will get it going again. Scoring is happening, but they are making some mistakes and Pekka is not looking as strong as he did before the break.
Josiah2729 - February 9, 2012
Is Yip hurt or something? His energy was sorely missed; and why so much ice time for Smithson? He’s completely useless outside of the face-off square. He should be receiving the least ice time considering his near nonexistent contribution to offense.
Also, I’m sick of seeing Suter play like he doesn’t give a ****. Shape up or ship out. Stop being a distraction.
MekootLobo - February 10, 2012
I guess it was because of the PK,
but it was crazy to see Horny with only like 8 minutes.
Josiah2729 - February 10, 2012
look at ice times for defenseman. i do believe suter and weber were extremely overplayed. the other 4 defenseman had 16 or 17 minutes each. its not like these guys stop everything, and the other 4 justr give them a quick breather.
the first sens goal showed suter not being in position to stop a rush again. wasn’t he outbodied on one or 2 others? he had 2 assists, so some here think he can do no wrong.
predwheels - February 10, 2012
Agreed
They over play Suter and Weber every night. It is part of Trotz’ game plan or as I see it, his security blanket. Last night those guys played lazy and playing them more minutes didn’t improve that situation. In fact it made it worse.
Bouillon and Klein looked awful on the PK last night. Not sure Josi is an answer defensively either. Both he and Ellis are showing rookie fatigue in my opinion, and are starting to get sloppy.
GoPreds00 - February 10, 2012
That’s ironic isn’t it? You’d think if Suter wanted to get picked up, he’d be playing lights-out. And if he wants big money from whoever July 1 – same thing. Pretty strange.
DonBorvio - February 10, 2012
Maybe it’s like this: as Suter and Weber play, so play the others. If they aren’t on their game, then the team falters. Has anyone noted any trend in this direction?
amyinsparta - February 10, 2012
Or
maybe it is that Suter is not the “end all, be all” of defencemen. I mean we know the guy is good, even really good. But how much is only because he plays with another great defencemen in Weber. “Talk amongst yourselves”
ablairnash - February 10, 2012
I think he has PHENOMENAL vision and puck control, regardless of whether or not he plays with Weber. Until this whole media thing blew up and people suddenly realized how good Suter is, I would have very confidently said that he was THE most underrated defenseman in the entire NHL.
davisca - February 10, 2012
I mean don't get me wrong
I love having Suter and Weber on the team. I hope that they both sign mult year deals and stay here for the rest of their careers, but am I then only one that has notices that Suter has been “off” lately. I watch every game and go to every home game and notice that he is being moved off the puck a lot! I don’t know it looks like he may be…ummm…“distracted”. Hmmmmm
ablairnash - February 10, 2012
it's not just you
they’ve both been “off” since coming back from the All-Star game.
Shawn Kehoe - February 10, 2012
But he said he didn’t want any distractions, then proceeded to give an interview. I guess I’m just annoyed that the team hasn’t played that great since the break, because this is certainly no time to have a down time!
amyinsparta - February 10, 2012
we need Smith/Chucky's line to be a headache for the opposition
With Smithson on that line, it’s just not that same as it is with Yip. For whatever gains they get with Smithson’s PK and faceoff abilities (although it has seemed lately that the PK was better in games Smithson did not play in), they lose
just as much/more in offensive dropoff. I’m not sure Yip is the answer long-term for that line, but I do think it’s the best option we have right now. Consider this: when Yip/Halischuck/Bourque were scratched and returned to the lineup, they each made a statement in their returns to the lineup. What has Smithson done? I’m becoming more and more convinced Smithson no longer has a place on this team- at least not right now. Sure, he would be fine for a depth fill-in at the moment, but I am envisioning picking up a 2nd line scorer to play with Leggy and Horny and putting Wilson on the line with Smith and Chucky. Come playoffs, we could roll 4 lines (I am ok with limiting Smith’s minutes until then to stay fresh) and be a major matchup problem for any opposing coach. Hopefully the trade market will shape up and allow GMDP such a move, for without it, we’re not getting past the 2nd round.Predadave - February 10, 2012
That sounds great!
Would probably be the best 3rd line in the league.
Josiah2729 - February 10, 2012
Yeah, but the trick is to get Coach to stop feeling sorry for Smithson and letting him play. Trotz said he was the best on face-offs, but we really had few of them last nite.
amyinsparta - February 10, 2012
Honey Badger...
has been doing very well on the dot…the faceoff excuse for Smithson isn’t adding up anymore…scratch Smithson and put Yip back in. A tencious 3rd and 4th line is a nightmare for other teams…that’s how Detroit does it and begrudgingly look where it gets them.
HardCorePredFan316 - February 10, 2012
Poor Honey Badger...
Isn’t this the 3rd or 4th game in a row where he has put a shot off the post?
Frattaway - February 10, 2012
I think it’s time to trade Smitty. Good as he his at faceoffs, he kinda doesn’t fit the scheme anymore. Just like JP last year. I like the guy a lot, but he doesn’t fit the new, faster, younger Preds team.
DonBorvio - February 10, 2012
I agree. I love Smitty so much, and he does a lot of great things for us, and I’d hate to see him go, but I don’t think his role is quite as necessary anymore. He needs to go to a team that needs some more offensive-defensive help.
davisca - February 10, 2012
Am I allowed to post in this thread or will the posse attack me here too?
Not re-signing SOB was dumb, dumb, dumb. The current young d-men are just too small and are easily being pushed off the puck down low in the defensive zone, allowing the opponent numerous scoring chances. A bigger defenseman like Elkholm (CRAP!) would be nice right now.
djzielin - February 10, 2012
you mean...
a bigger defenseman who is responsible defensively like
Ekholm?Predadave - February 10, 2012
I do agree that we let SOB go probably a year early, though. For all the low cost high reward gambles GMDP takes, SOB would have been a good way to hedge his bets.
Predadave - February 10, 2012
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