Predators Limp Home After Massacre

The Nashville Predators headed into Joe Louis Arena with visions of resurrecting their slim playoff hopes and nearly got trampled by the “fat lady” getting ready to make her ceremonial appearance. Actually it wasn’t really the “fat lady”, it was the Detroit Red Wings power play unit that led the Wings to a 6-2 massacre of the Preds.

The Good

Steve Sullivan, possibly angered by an article in the Tennessean this morning, finally had the breakout game that everyone has been waiting for, scoring two goals, one on the PP.

Very little else would qualify as good.

In Between

The Predators scored on the PP (for a change) but couldn’t convert with the 5 on 3 late in the game.

No one’s plus-minus record was significantly adversely affected since five of the Wings goals were on the PP.

The Bad

Uninspired play, including too many bad penalties, resulted in the Predators giving the Wings far too many opportunities for the league’s best power play unit to hit the ice.

The Predators fifth ranked penalty kill unit gave up five goals on six attempts to fall to eight place.

Dan Ellis did little to move from the pine to the ice giving up six goals on 41 shots. This probably solidifies his number two slot for the rest of the year.

J P Dumont left the ice late in the game with what appeared to be the proverbial “upper body injury”.

The Predators have to return to Joe Louis two more times before the season is over as well as playing them one more time at home next week.

The Predators have less than 24 hours to regroup and take on the St Louis Blues at the Sommet Center Thursday night.

Many other points could be listed under the bad but it might be considered piling on at this point. Apologies to all, my uninspired writing tonight was in honor of the Predators similar on ice performance. Just look at it as an example of what we saw on the tube.

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass