On Wednesday night, the Nashville Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1, but don't let the score fool you. With two empty net goals, the Predators had to hold on for dear life. Jared Smithson opened up the scoring at 05:10 of the first period on a very odd goal. It was odd, because the only person that saw it was him. After he pleaded with the officials for a review, they finally consented. Sure enough, Jared Smithson never lies, and the Predators went up 1-0. Patric Hornqvist made it 2-0 at 03:56 of the second, and the score stayed that way even though we were out shot 16-28 for the first two periods. At 11:46 of the third, Saku Koivu pulled the Ducks within 1 with a slap shot, and I for one became a bit worried. The Ducks out shot the Predators 13-8 in the third period, and the rush was on after Nashville Goaltender Pekka Rinne was called for a tripping penalty at 16:13. That penalty was served by Colin Wilson. Jonas Hiller left the Ducks net with well over a minute to play, and Sergi Kostitsyn found the empty net at 19:08. After Chris Mueller was called for a holding penalty with only 20 seconds remaining, Shea Weber accidentally found the empty net again with a banked slap shot. The time of the goal was 19:59, and there were 0.2 seconds remaining.
The Predators are once again playing a back to back set, but this one happens to be a bit different because the team does not have to travel. A short bus ride from Anaheim to Los Angeles doesn't begin to compare with a two or three hour flight, and I believe that the team will be well rested. The Predators have won three straight, and the Kings have lost four.
Who do I watch for Los Angeles? Number 11 Anze Kopitar, and not just because his name sounds like Klingon Delicacy. Kopitar is a very dangerous left handed shooter at almost 230lbs, and he has seven points in his last five games. He gets lots of shifts, and his line seems to click. I hate to say that if we can shut down Kopitar's line we have it made, but at the same time, it wouldn't hurt.
For Nashville? First of all, it is rumored that Steve Sullivan may be back tonight. I'm not buying in. Patrick Hornqvist scored his tenth goal against the Ducks last night, and I believe that he will be interesting to watch tonight. He has three goals in his last five, with a five point total. Also last night he had more shifts than usual, and I'm ready to see him get to work.
There are people writing blogs out there who are "in the know" and I am not one of them. Some may already be able to tell me that I am wrong, but I'm going to go for it anyway. Against the Kings, I'm going to give Anders Lindback the start. Pekka Rinne did a wonderful job turning away 40 of 41 with .976, and I believe that he has earned the night off. I also believe that Lindback is ready to show the Kings what he is made of after the December 18 incident in Nashville.
I'm ready! We have a 9:30 Central Time puck drop in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. We do have TV coverage tonight on FSTN, so catch a nap and get ready to stay up late for this exciting match up.
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