Predators Frustrated after Loss and Friday Findings

Last night's Predator loss to the Blackhawks was frustrating for all involved. The players, coaches, and fans all left the Bridgestone Arena wondering what the team needs to to to get back on the winning track.

The Preds have lost three in a row and have not scored in the last two games. Barry Trotz was shaking his head, "Every time we've had a little bit of a downturn, it's because we haven't been able to finish. A lot of guys competed really hard in a lot of areas. In the face off circle, we were really strong. We finished checks and went to the net hard. We had chances but couldn't find them."

The Predators have found themselves in a position where the breaks are not going their way and are in dire need of something to jump start them and get the pucks going in the goal again. They threw 67 pucks at the net and never found the net.

Barry Trotz summed up where the Predators are, "Tonight was an important game. The funny thing is, the next game is going to be more important, and the game after that is going to be even more important."

The Preds travel to Dallas today and will play the Stars at 1 p.m. tomorrow before returning home for a 2 p.m. Sunday game with Columbus.

Preds-Hawks Wrap-Up...

Here is our game story from last night with post game video.

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

Jim Diamond highlights the play of Jon Blum in his home debut with the Preds.

David Boclair has his story at The City Paper.

From the blog world reports come from Ryan Porth, Amanda DiPaolo, Mark Willoughby, Chris Burton (with his advances stats), and Hockey Night in Nashville.

From the Windy City comes the winning story from Second City Hockey, The Sun Times, The Daily Herald, and the Chicago Tribune.

Audio clips from the Predators include Jerred Smithson, Colin Wilson, Mike Fisher and Shea Weber. From Chicago come Joel Quenneville and Duncan Keith.

In Pred Nation...

The Space Shuttle Discovery made it safely into space yesterday but Pekka Rinne's jersey did not make the scheduled trip. Jim Diamond has been following the story.

Chris Link makes a couple of very valid points at Puck and Punk. I especially agree about forcing the standing O during TV time outs just for the sake of doing it. I think it is losing it's effect already.

The Milwaukee Admirals has Chris Mueller's Rags to Riches story.

View From My Seats gets around to the Central Division Trade Deadline Roundtable and AJ gives the Preds' view.

Rita Mingo at Fanhouse looks at the Predators at the Trade Deadline.

As part of the season ticket renewal package, the Predators confirmed a new jersey for next year.

Around the NHL...

As has been bantered about, Alex Kovalev did get traded to the Pens for a bargain basement sixth or seventh rounder.

In another deal, the Thrashers traded Brent Sopel and Nigel Dawes to the Habs for Ben Maxwell and a fourth round pick.

Carolina was reunited with Cory Stillman after they sent a fifth rounder and Ryan Carter to the Panthers.

Another ex-Pred Dan Ellis (and I assume his butler) was traded to Anaheim since the Ducks are sliding with Jonas Hiller being dizzy.

Ryan Porth re-looks at the current standings with the Olympic point system.

Launy "The" Schwartz from Hockey 54 has is first of many videos to come from the Heritage Classic with new sponsor Booster Juice Canada on board.

Ex-Pred Dam Hamhuis is reconsidering his career in light of his third concussion.

Kevin Allen is keeping a column updated as major trades occur with his analysis.

Steve Lapore has the plans for TSN's TradeCenter show which will give wall to wall coverage on Monday with thirty on air folks.

Finally, for the second time this season UK hockey makes headlines with another big brawl. Check out the video.

Odds and Ends...

Kelly Slater is giving no hints as to whether he will surf a full season and seek his 11th world title as he is in Australia to surf the season opening ASP event.

Droid Life unboxes a Motorola Xoom. It's as close to holding it in your hand as you will see.

It's King Cake season from now until Fat Tuesday on March 8. We still waiting for someone to send us one. Hint, Hint!

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass