Preds Fall to Ninth As Streak Reaches Four Games and Monday Musings

Note: No POTG Radio Tonight - Winter Classic Preview will be with RLD Hockey on Tuesday

The current Predators losing streak now stands at four which ties the second longest streak of the year. Without some offense, they have a good shot at tying the longest streak of the year on Tuesday night against Dallas. The Preds now have three goals in the last four losses.

All of the Predators' regulation losses but one have come in these three streaks with the lone non streak loss coming in the meltdown in Toronto on November 16th. This is an amazingly streaky team that can win in bunches and lose in bunches.

After last Thursday's game, I asked Barry Trotz what the streaks meant. He denied any reason for the streaks, "One thing you find in this league sometimes is that you hit teams at the right time be it the schedule, be it the mindset, be it injuries or whatever; certain players getting hot or cold all together or collectively."

"For me lately, the last couple of games, finding consistency in our lines has been a little bit of a problem. In terms of their play, what I think are the best two lines tonight, the next game they won't be. They keep flip-flopping."

So much of the talk has been about coaching issues, but Trotz makes a good point that the players on the ice have responsibility and if he is not getting the same play out of individuals and line combinations night after night then it is difficult for the coaches to plan and make decisions.

Since the team is so streaky, Predator fans can only hope that the winning streaks outlast the losing ones. For me, next time the Preds lose the first game, I'm headed to Vegas.

With the win last night, St. Louis jumped over the Predators in the standings to claim eighth place and the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Preds are now in ninth with 40 points.

The Preds will play Dallas at home tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Bridgestone Arena. Limited tickets are available.

Predators-Blues Round-Up...

Here is our game story from last night.

Josh Cooper had his game story, notes column, and postgame ponderings.

From the blog world reports come from Amanda DiPaolo, Mark Willoughby, Dirk Hoag (with his advances stats), Jeremy Gover, and Hockey Night in Nashville.

The winning side of the story comes from the Post-Dispatch, BlueNote Zone, Frozen Notes, and St. Louis Game Time.

In Pred Nation...

The Tennessean has a great piece from Josh Cooper on Jeff Cogen and his strategy to fill the building on a nightly basis. Cogen has realy done a good job for the Preds and may be their best acquisition in a long time.

Mark Willoughby has a seasonal "My View" that you really should check out.

Jas Faulkner has answers to questions from her mailbag at The Hockey Writers.

World Junior Scoreboard...

Switzerland 4, Germany 3
Canada 6, Russia 3
Sweden 7, Norway 1
USA 3. Finland 2 OT

Preds prospects had a big day at the World Juniors with Ryan Ellis getting a goal on five shots and Patrick Cehlin having a three point day for Sweden with 2 goals and an assist. David Elsner did not play since he was promoted to another leve in his home league.

Mayor's Manor has a primer on what you need to know about the World Juniors.

Winter Classic Outlook...

Rain is the biggest issue facing the Winter Classic at this point. Here is the latest along with the contingency plans from Rob Rossi.

Here is the latest from ice expert, Dan Craig on the rink construction.

Here is the latest video update from Dan Rosen of NHL.com...




Around the NHL...

Sidney Crosby extended his point streak to 24 games with a goal with 3:22 remaining in last nights 3-1 loss to Ottawa.

The Islanders tried to postpone last night's game due to blizzard conditions but ended up with their third straight win in front of 3,136 people.

Ryan Porth has the final projections based on current points per game here at the Christmas break.

Adrian Dater will be disappointed as it is reported that the latest Peter Forsberg comeback attempt has been abandoned once again due to his foot injury.

Here is a list of the top 100 NHLers (and prospects) on Twitter ranked by number of followers. They also have a list of fake accounts.

Odds and Ends...

Nineteen folks in Santa outfits went surfing at the same time in Cocoa Beach. I want to see a picture.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass