Preds VS Blues

Yet again the Preds are facing a team with a couple of former players, and we as fans hope that the outcome is different from the Sharks game the other night. We want a WIN!

Although the Predators looked like the team that fans have been waiting for the entire season, they managed to give the game away with minutes to go. Even though the scoring chances were there for them, they could not put the puck in the net to tie it before regulation ended, prompting a 4-3 loss. The Preds always play well against the Sharks, and seem to be coming together even amongst the plague of injuries that has taken hold of the team.

Returning tonight to the line-up is J P DUUuuuuuUUUmont, and knowing this has prompted some hopeful feelings from me. Whenever he is on the ice, the Preds seem to play better, maybe he should have the "C", not Arny......just a thought....

The lack of sleep from the West Coast game schedule will be worth it if the boys return from this road trip with a win tonight against the Blues.

Dan Ellis- please watch the puck and know where it is..... AT ALL TIMES! You cannot let those squeakers go through your pads with minutes to go during a tied game, and well, you can't let that happen ever!

Weber was getting his legs back after his injury, but played well and Suter has continued to play strong with or without his line partner. The team does rely on the D for scoring too, so hopefully that trend can continue AND the offense can score a little too..... is that too much to ask for?

Hopefully Peks will be in net tonight, as that seems to be Trotzy's play, lose a game, ride the bench (Ellis). This season, the goaltender's confidence has been pulled up and down with the decision of who is starting and who is sitting, so it begs the question:
Is either goalie worthy of the starting position? Or do the Preds simply have a 1a and 1b goalie rotation? Let's just let them play, and see how it goes from there, obviously I do not have the experience or knowledge that Coach Trotz has, so I cannot say that he is making a poor decision by rotating them.

All in all, the Preds are looking good, and overcoming huge obstacles early in the season, and really, aren't they ALWAYS going against the odds? Didn't we make it to the playoffs with a bunch of nobodies a couple of years ago, and ALMOST make it this past year? Considering what this team has been through in its short tenure, and what Coach Trotz has been given, talent and injury-wise, I feel confident that the team will do well this year. Sure, a super-star would be incredible, but if that is not what we are meant to have, then fine, I will root for them no matter what. The Preds are my team, and I will not simply run away from them because they are having a rough time. (I do love when they win though) Call me optimistic.....it's not a dirty word.

Cannot wait for Saturday's game against the Habs too.... First game back in the Sommet Center since the incredible Stars game. Hopefully it's a GREAT and LOUD crowd for our boys.

And as always: LET'S GO PREDS!!!

Preview: Dallas at Nashville 10/31/09

Happy Hockey-ween all!
The first 2 games of Nashville's 09-10 season gave Preds fans big hope...... The season opener in Dallas was a 3-2 shootout victory for the visiting team with Dan Ellis in net. Arnott and Sullivan netted the 2 goals in regulation, and Mike Santorelli scored the game winner in the shootout against Turco. Also J.P. Dumont was injured with a nasty, but seemingly legal hit from Stephane Robidas, missing the rest of the second and third period.
On October 14th, the result was not so fantastic for the Predators being shutout 6-0, and starter Ellis being pulled from the goal 7 minutes in to the first period. Rinne stepped in allowing 3 more goals in the rest of the game. Granted, the Preds were without J.P. Dumont (their leading scorer last year) and Jordin Tootoo, though not an offensive threat, Toots may have been able to break up some plays, or at least lay out certain Stars players like last season.
With Ellis as the starter for the lst two games against Dallas, will Trotz bench Peks, who has seemed to find his groove in favor of a goaltender with more experience against the Stars? For Rinne's sake, I hope not. Peks has exhibited great confidence in the last two meetings, stepping in for Ellis against the Wild allowing no goals for the rest of the game in a huge road win, and riding high from his shutout against one of the most offensively driven teams in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks at home on Thursday.
Rinne's glove is hot right now, snatching pucks out of the air with ease, in his post-game interview he credited the highly motivated defense for making it so easy for him to see the puck. Thank you SHEA WEBER and RYAN SUTER, from the bottom of my heart, for listening to Trotz and following through to help your goaltender!
The key to tonight's game will be CONSISTENCY.......ALL around, goaltending, offense, and defense. Trotz seems to have found his groove with the line juggling, and the team is responding well. Does everyone remember seeing Belak out for a PP shift last game? Though nothing came of it, I was happy to see them taking chances on the ice, and those chances are beginning to work. Don't get me wrong, let's not go crazy here, just take the smart plays and capitalize on them!
SMITHERS- let's go ahead and get another goal, hopefully it will not have to be short-handed because we don't want to take any penalties if we can help it! Jerred you are quickly becoming a favorite of mine to watch, keep it up!
Currently wondering how Peter Olvecky is going to fit in to the rotation tonight after being recalled from Milwaukee..... I guess I will have to wait and see!
As for me, I will be rooting for the boys from 329 tonight..... then making the 2 1/2 drive home after, so the post-game wrap-up will be posted tomorrow.
Everyone please have a Happy and safe Hockey-ween!!!!
Let's go Preds!!!!!!!!!