What To Do With Dan? Predators Win 4-1

Tonight, the Nashville Predators took game one of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.  The Predators seem to have gotten under the skin of the Ducks, and Mike Fisher scores twice as the most experienced Predator when it comes to the playoffs. 

When it comes to getting under the skin of an opponent, it shows in several ways.  Tonight in the third period, the Ducks found themselves in the penalty box over and over again.  Six different players were penalized eight times, for a total of 40 minutes.  The frustration level was very high, and I do believe that the Ducks were surprised that the execution level wasn't where they thought it was going to be. 

Tonight Mike Fisher scored Nashville's fourth goal at 00:56 of the third period, and Dan Ellis was promptly pulled from the Ducks' net.  He was replaced by Ray Emery, who played for the remainder of the game.  As a fan, having the goalie pulled gets under my skin more than anything.  Sometimes it sends the right message to the team, and a turning point is reached.  Other times, the end of an embarrassment is all the coach is looking for. 

I keep wondering who will start in net for the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.  Will Dan Ellis return?  Will Ray Emery get the nod?  Coach Randy Carlyle evaded giving an answer to that question in the post-game interviews, and leaves me wondering.  I've decided to research the issue, and make my own decision.  On Friday, we can see what actually matches up. 

Dan Ellis:
Dan was born in Canada on 06-19-1980, and played with the Nashville Predators through the 2009-2010 season.  Through a series of trades, he ended up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he played 31 games with them this season.  In February, he was traded to Anaheim.

2010-2011 Season
With Tampa:       31 Games, .889 SV%, 2.93 GAA
With Anaheim:   13 Games, .917 SV%, 2.39 GAA

Ray Emery:
Ray was born in Canada on 09-28-1982.  Ray has not had an easy career by any means.  In 2009, Ray found out that he suffered from avascular necrosis, which is the same disease that ended Bo Jackson's career.  In August of 2010, Ray once again began workouts, and signed with Anaheim on 02-07-2011 as an unrestricted free agent. 

2010-2011 Season
With Anaheim:   10 Games, .926 SV%, 2.28 GAA


Momentum is an odd thing with a professional sports team of any kind.  A change could mean total destruction, or could be their saving grace.  My pick will be Dan Ellis for Friday; recent experience may prove to be a difference maker.  I predict that the Ducks will work on their defensive strategy instead of make a change in net.   "Gotta stay with Dan - or it smells of desperation." -EJ Mackie

Live From Hartsfield-Jackson Predators Playoff Update

While Nashville will make the playoffs no matter what, Chicago and Detroit will determine our final position when they play today at 11:30AM.  Can anything bad happen?  Not really in my opinion.  I have talked to several people about who the preferred matchup would be, and I seem to get a different answer every time the question is asked. 

My best case scenario is this.  If Detroit beats Chicago today, Nashville will earn the #5 seed in the Western Conference.  This means that they will face off against Anaheim (#4) in the first round, with Anaheim of course having home ice advantage.  Nashville finished the regular season at 3-1-0 against Anaheim, with a +6 goal differential.  Interesting fact about Anaheim...they currently have three goalies on their roster.  Jonas Hiller has recently been activated from the injured reserve list.  They also have Dan Ellis, who played for Nashville last year and was traded in the off season, along with Ray Emery who is 3-2 in his last 5 games. 

In the first round, it is also possible that Nashville could face off against Detroit or San Jose, of course depending on the outcome of the Chicago/Detroit game today.  We shall find out in a few hours!  The Chicago vs Detroit game will be on NBC today if you happen to be interested. 

Predators Look Ahead To First Round

In tonight's game, the Nashville Predators fell to the St. Louis Blues 2-0 in the final game of the regular season in St Louis.  I, along with several hundred other Preds fans, made the trip to watch tonight's game.  Tonight's story does not start with the game, or begin with the morning skate.  It begins with my travels; today has been an amazing day and I wish to share it with you.

I enjoy airports, airplanes, and traveling in general, and several months ago I decided to fly to St Louis to watch this game.  Several people have asked me why.  My answer has always been that I enjoy flying, and didn't have to pay much for the plane ticket anyway.  It would have been cheaper to take the 303 bus or drive my car, but I made my decision and stuck with it.  This morning I got up, headed to the airport, and started through security.  It made me feel good when several TSA agents started asking me about the game.  I felt as if the day was going in a good direction.  I got through security, headed to my gate, and arrived at B5 in Nashville's airport to find a family playing a mix of gospel and bluegrass.  It wasn't too loud, was soothing, and very enjoyable.  I had an hour to wait on my flight, which can seem like an eternity while waiting in an airport.  Today I enjoyed waiting, and even wished that I had gotten there earlier.  The time drew near for the boarding process to begin.  I watched a plane pull up to the gate, and the ticket agents announced that my flight to Atlanta would be on time, which meant that I could make my connection without an issue.  While sitting in a seat facing the window, I saw a young woman with a small child in the corner of my eye, just to the right of me.  They were headed my way, and I moved my feet to let them by.  The woman had a camera, and was taking several pictures of her baby that appeared to be just over a year old.  In the little boy's hands was a sign that said "Welcome Home Daddy", and it was then that I realized that these fine people had no interest in going to Atlanta.  I then started paying very close attention to the activities at hand, and observed several people exiting the jet way, heading on to wherever they happened to be going.  The woman and the little boy stood at the entrance of the jet way with the sign proudly displayed.  I observed every man woman and child exit that jet way, excited to see what was going to happen.  I also noticed that the entire group of people who were waiting to board the plane also had their eyes glued to that little boy.  One by one they came out...but no daddy.  The woman looked into the jet way with disappointment in her eyes, and I truly believe that the entire crowd broke into a cold sweat.  I heard in the background, "oh no, he has missed his connection", and then immediately afterwards the woman with the little boy screamed with excitement as she finally saw her soldier.  He was indeed home.  The crowd erupted in applause...it was truly a sight.  I could have driven my car.  I could have taken the bus. 

I did in fact arrive in St Louis and watched Pekka Rinne make 23 saves.  I watched the Predators fall 2-0 to the Blues, and for tonight it just doesn't matter.  After losing tonight's game, Nashville will be unable to clinch home ice advantage, but I'm ok with that.  Nashville ends the regular season with 99 points. 

How many people do not have the opportunity to hold up that sign?  To my friends and family:  you are appreciated. 

March Is Upon Us

As most of you have noticed, I have taken a month long sabbatical.  My friend James asked yesterday if I was alive, and I assure you all that I am.  March is a very important month for me, and I would like to dive into the topic of Spring.  Predators talk?  They lost in Edmonton last night, but that is all I'm going to say about that.

I read about a large number of people who love Spring because it is a time of rejuvenation; flowers begin to grow, the trees start to turn green, animals are seen frolicking in the meadow, and I hear/see people write, blog, and broadcast how they love the reborn feeling that comes, beginning with the month of March.  I like to think of myself as a simple person, and I would like to share the reason why I love this time of year.

It gets warmer.  As in...it was cold outside, but now it's not.  

 While I recognize that I am sometimes a much more complicated person that I really care to admit, I constantly remind myself that happiness can be very easy.  The little things can make all the difference. 

Calgary Visits Nashville Tonight!

     Tonight, the Calgary Flames visit the Bridgestone Arena to take on the Nashville Predators for the third time this season; this will be the second time the teams meet in Nashville.  Just a short time ago, Calgary was sitting in the next to last place spot in the Western Conference.  Now they are in 12th place, and are only three points away from the final playoff spot.  For a week I have dreaded this game because the Flames simply refuse to give up.

     The last time the Predators beat the Flames at home was on January 15, 2008, and Nashville has yet to win a contest between the two so far this season.  Goaltender Pekka Rinne will be the savior for the Preds tonight, and his play this season has been a treat for the fans in Nashville to say the least.  Pekka received third star honors from the NHL for the month of January, and his eight wins ties him for the most of the month.  While I cover my eyes during the game, I know that Rinne will be ready.

     Marek Svatos and Francis Bouillon have both been placed on injured reserve for Nashville.  Matt Halischuk and Chris Mueller have both been recalled from Milwaukee as expected.  Both Halischuk and Mueller are having a great run with the Predators, and will be interesting to watch tonight. 

     For the Predators, another key player tonight will be Jerred Smithson while on the penalty kill.  He is very efficient on the face-off, and may be a momentum swinger tonight.  I strongly believe that Nashville needs to stay out of the box tonight, but with penalty killers like Smithson, Nick Spaling, and JP Dumont, the Preds should be just fine. 

     Tonight's game has a 7:00PM Central Time puck drop, and can be found on FS-TN.  "The stretch" is upon us, the All-Star Break is over, and as along as Nashville plays their game the Preds will add two points tonight. 

My Thoughts Down The Stretch

     This weekend, lots of people are enjoying the All-Star Break; fans and players alike.  I happen to enjoy it myself, catching the highlights on the skills competition and looking at pictures taken by fans.  Most of all, I enjoy this time because it gives me time to catch up on some non hockey related issues.  For the Predators, the break gives the team time to rest after a long Western road swing.  "The stretch" is upon us.  Many people, announcers, bloggers, and commentators refer to this time all season.  What does it mean for Nashville?  Let's look into it. 

     The Nashville Predators have 32 games left in the regular season, and only 11 of those will be on the road.  Spring always seems to be good to Nashville, and the home crowd will be able to give the team a good boost.  I believe that February will be key, and the Predators will play 10 games at home, and only 3 on the road.  In February, Nashville will take on a very tough schedule against teams like Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Vancouver.  The Preds will also visit Philadelphia this coming up Thursday night to take on one of the best teams in the league.  If the Predators can get the momentum going in February, it should carry over and get us through the regular season. 

     In March, Nashville starts off with a Western Canada swing, adding San Jose at the end.  Many great teams, including Boston, LA, Detroit, Dallas, and Colorado will make a stop in Nashville, which makes for another hard month. 

     In April, Nashville has three home games, and play their only road game in St Louis for the last game of the regular season. 

*Predictions*

     Some circles say that predicting the final outcome can do more damage than breaking a mirror.  I, however, have not much of a believer in luck, and I'm going to give it a shot. 

     I believe that Dallas, Detroit, San Jose, and Minnesota will begin and/or continue a slump down the stretch.  These four teams seem to be quirky this year, and all have special issues that will cause them problems.  Detroit, for example, has goal tending problems that are not going to get better any time soon.  I believe that when the problem is finally fixed, it will be too late.  I do believe that Detroit will make the playoffs, but their run in second place will be short lived. 

     Surging teams will include Chicago, Calgary, Phoenix, and LA.  Calgary refuses to be a bad team, and even though their run is a little late, I believe that they will get into a playoff spot this year.  Chicago is very able to perform and will decide to get serious down the stretch, and Phoenix will have momentum from Keith Yandle in February. 

*Back To Reality*

     Where does all of this leave for Nashville?  I honestly have no idea.  Time will just have to tell because for me, it is easy to critique teams as an outsider, and it is very hard make predictions on the team that I follow every day.  I do know that the Predators will play several teams over the next couple of months that are going to refuse to lay down and give up two points.  Of those include Calgary (two games), Vancouver (three games), Anaheim (one), and LA (one).  Nashville has had an injury plagued season and despite that, they have done very well.  Nashville takes on Calgary Tuesday night at the Bridgestone Arena for their first game after the break.  They will come into the game with 60 points and 4th place in the Western Conference, and will look for a little revenge to start what is sure to be a February to remember. 
   

Last Night: Predators Fall Late Despite Strong Effort

     Last night's game was simply heart breaking for me personally.  To see Nashville fight so hard and play with so much spirit just to lose the game late in the third period hurts beyond belief.  Even with the Predators 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, the team has been given lots of data to process, and I believe they know what to expect down the stretch.  This is not going to be easy.

     Pressure and possession were key in the first period.  Nashville came into last night's matchup showing Vancouver that they were not going to give up an easy two points.  The Predators seemed to control well, cycle with the best, and the penalty kill was on its mark.  There were not any goals posted in the first period for either team, but Nashville had control.  I was impressed by their eagerness, which really showed with their 12-4 shots on goal advantage. 

     The second period also ended with the score 0-0, and the defensive plays were a spectacle to say the least.  Pekka Rinne was unbelievable last night earning second star honors, and he made 33 whopping saves that no highlight reel could ever do justice.  I believe that the video recap says it all.  The hit summary includes one video, goal summery three, and there are 17 save video's listed that are all truly impressive.  Seven of those save video's come from the second period.  Roberto Luongo started in goal for Vancouver, and was selected as the first star of the game.  The pre game commentaries were correct; the goal tending matchup was truly a sight to see.

     In the third period, Shea Weber finally lit the lamp for Nashville right off the drop at 00:37.  Vancouver knew that they had to react, and while the Predators gained momentum, it wasn't enough.  At 10:39 the official hole digger for Vancouver, Alexandre Burrows, put the Canucks on the board.  At 12:31 Lee Sweatt scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game to make it 2-1.  Vancouver's response to Nashville's quick goal in the third period was impressive.  The shots on goal total for the third was 17-7 in favor of Vancouver.

     Even though Nashville did not come away with a point, I am proud of the effort.  The light at the end of the tunnel shines brightly, and only time will tell what effect the All-Star break will have on the team.  On another note, both Matt Halischuk and Chris Mueller have been reassigned to Milwaukee for the break.  Even if they are called back up for the February 1st game after the break, it is reported that Nashville will save between $6,000 and $12,000 a day by making this move.  With a subtle "you've made it" glance, Nick Spaling has not been reassigned.  He will stay on the NHL level through the break, and is reported to be considering changing his last name to $paling.

     The Twitter universe is proclaiming that this is Nashville's year to "break in" and finally make it past the first round of the playoffs.  Currently, Nashville has a record of 27-17-6 and 60 points to give us fourth place in the Western Conference.  There is no telling how this will all wash out in the end due to Nashville's injury plagued nature this year.  There is hope...time will tell.