Did the Predators and the Flames have a trade off tonight? As you recall, in the first meeting with Calgary, the Predators shut them out 2-0. This time, Calgary shutout the Preds 1-0. What gives? There is no playing fair in hockey, boys! This should be a fairly short wrap up of tonight’s game, but let’s discuss the Predators’ offense… or lack there of. Now, blame can’t be put all on the Predators, for the Flames weren’t exactly exploding on the ice, either. In fact, let’s be honest, that may have been the most boring game this season. There were a few interesting moments, however (there were?) and let’s take a look at them, shall we?

KEY NOTES:

• Highlighting the Flames first, Derek Smith scored his first career NHL goal tonight, slipping the puck past Rinne to score the only goal of the night. We congratulate him on his first goal, but why did it have to be on us?
• For the Predators, the biggest highlight of the night was Jordin Tootoo’s nose bleed during the first intermission’s interview with Terry Crisp (yes, we are dead serious). Toots suffered a nice hi-stick to the face from Blake Comeau, which lead to said photo here:

•  Calgary faced a few injuries tonight, with Mark Giordano leaving the ice for the remainder of the game and Chris Butler deflected a puck off his face, sending him to the locker room (he later returned). Sergei Kostitsyn was the only possible injury tonight for the Preds, after getting hit near the Nashville bench. He headed straight for the locker room, but returned shortly after.
• The Predators called up Kyle Wilson from Milwaukee for tonight’s game, but put him down as a healthy scratch, giving Brian McGrattan ice time. Blake Geoffrion, Francis Bouillon, and Teemu Laakso are all down for the count, still fighting off injuries from previous games.
• The Flames barely out shot the Predators tonight, 29-26 but the Flames did see more penalty kills than the Preds in the end, 3-2. Here’s who ended up the box for Nashville:

1. Martin Erat – 2nd Period 9:10 – Boarding
2. Craig Smith – 3rd Period 10:36 – Tripping

The Predators really could have used this win to help them regain their footing in rankings, but nothing can be done now except trudge on to Vancouver and wipe out the Canucks. The Predators take a day off and take on Vancouver this Thursday at 9PM CT. Although we lost, here’s a little video of Jordin Tootoo’s bloody nose. Maybe it will brighten your day until Thursday, when the Predators hopefully destroy the Canucks.

GO PREDS.