Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Predators Get a Point to be in Four-Way Deadlock and Wednesday Happenings

The Nashville Predators would have preferred two points in last night's game against the San Jose Sharks but are pleased to have taken the game into overtime where they salvaged a single point.

Four teams had 68 points at the end os last night's action with Dallas in fourth, Anaheim in fifth, the Preds in sixth, and the Sharks in seventh due to tiebreakers. Calgary is in eighth with 66 points but have played a couple of extra games.

The Predators looked to be in control in the opening period and went ahead 1-0 early. They also built some momentum when they killed off a five on three Sharks power play.

Unfortunately, things deteriorated as the game went on as the Sharks poured 50 shots on Pekka Riine in the Predators' net. Rinne repeatedly made saves that bought the time for the Preds to go ahead but it never happened.

Hats off to Patrick Marleau who again rose to the occasion to stay on the first team of all time Pred killers. Devin Setoguchi also had a big night with a goal and nine shots on net.

The Predators will try to shake off the loss this morning as they head to the Centennial Sportsplex for preparation for tomorrow's game against Vancouver, the best team in the NHL.

Predators-Sharks Round-Up...

Here is our game story from last night with Barry Trotz's postgame video.

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

Jim Diamond explains how the Termites were the big winner last night.

David Boclair has his story at The City Paper and points out that Pekka Rinne had a career high in saves.

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

For his effort Patrick Marleau took the night's second star at Puck Daddy.

Game stories from California come from The Mercury News, Inside Bay Area, SF Gate, Working the Corners, Fear the Fin, Battle of California, Blades of Teal, SharksPage, and Couch Tarts.

Audio clips from the Predators include Shea Weber, Mike Fisher, Cody Franson, and Pekka Rinne. From the Sharls we hear from Todd MacLellan, Devin Setoguchi, and Patrick Marleau.

Programming note...

I will again be a guest host on Ryan Porth's RLD Hockey Radio at Noon Central today. Ryan's guests will be E J Hradek of ESPN and NHL Live and top NHL Agent, Jay Grossman who's most famous client is Ilya Kovalchuk. Both E.J. and Jay are always a great guests so tune in.

In Pred Nation...

Dirk Hoag makes the case that J P Dumont may be more valuable to the Preds than it may appear.

Nick Cotsonika has a great piece on Shea Weber and his value to the Predators.

Eric Engels has the other side of the story of the Habs-Preds rumors.

Around the NHL...

Big news out of Phoenix is that the final hurdle in the process for the City of Glendale to sell bonds to finance the sale of the Coyotes was overcome at the city counsel meeting yesterday. This should clear the way for a closing on the complete deal within the next few weeks.

The Boston Bruins raided Ottawa and picked up Chris Kelly for a second rounder.

Dustin Byfuglien signed a new deal with the Thrashers that will pay him a reported $26 million over five years. It seems high to me and makes Shea Weber even more costly by comparison.

Mick Kern had an interesting guest on The War Room on XM yesterday that has a new site called Thuzz which uses algorithms to measure excitement in a game and sends out immediate alerts when something big happens in a game. Check it out, it is free.

Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts sheds light on the classy move that he Ottawa Senators made in the Mike Fisher trade.

Ryan Porth continues his trade deadline series with a look at the 2009 movements. He also has the Top Five Buyers and Sellers.

Stu Hackel checks in on the issues with the Isles-Pens brawl and discipline.

Adrian Dater got some information from a Doctor that sounds similar to the condition Peter Forsberg could not overcome. Dater is looking for a way to bring him back again. He also gives the last rites to Forsberg at Versus.

Steve Lapore has the announcers for NBC's mega-schedule on Hockey Day in America.

View From My Seats has an interesting look at the AHL as a grooming spot for NHL prospects.

Speaking of the AHL, Mike Commodore is adjusting to life in the minors once again.

Here is a time lapse video of the rink construction at the Heritage Classic. One thing you would never know unless you stood beside it is how much "give" there is in the surface compared to a regular rink on concrete.

Brent Sopel's wife has a post at her blog about the upcoming trade deadline.

Mario Lemieux laments the days when he was playing and and complaining. Intent to Blow has the story.

Odds and Ends...

The line-up for Bonnaroo was released yesterday.

When I heard that yesterday was Youtube's sixth birthday, I couldn't believe that it wasn't older than that. It seems like it has been around forever. Here is the proof.

Here are five signs that you are a bad boss. I'm OK in these areas. I'm probably bad in others.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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