Jordin Tootoo celebrates his second goal of the season, but was it enough?

After a devastating loss at home last night, the Predators hit the road in search of a win in Minnesota… only, the Wild weren’t exactly the team the Predators would have chosen to face right off the bat after losing two games in a row. Why not, you ask? Well, if you don’t keep up with the rest of the league, the Wild are leading the Western Conference (the Predators’ conference). Although after watching Edmonton demolish Chicago and belittle the Predators last night, you would think the Oilers would be in the lead, but alas, they are not and quiet little Minnesota slipped past the Predators 3-2, just enough to seal their 5th straight win. Here are the highlights of tonight’s game in Mee-naah-so-taah (yep):

KEY POINTS:

• Blake Geoffrion was scratched for his third straight game and Teemu Laakso is still hanging out on the IR. This news was actually released yesterday, but Niclas Bergfors was placed on waivers and was cleared to be sent to Milwaukee. Sadly, Bergfors was supposed to be another “SK74” in David Poile’s mind (Sergei was a risky move and it proved to be positive for the Preds last season). Unfortunately, the winger didn’t exactly perform as Poile had hope and it looked as if Poile’s lucky run didn’t strike gold with Bergfors.
• The Predators put the first numbers on the board with Jordin Tootoo’s second goal of the season. This goal kept the Predators in the lead 1-0 all the way into the third, but the Wild didn’t give up that easily. Toots was assisted by both Craig Smith and Nick Spaling.
• The 2nd period proved scoreless for both teams, but the Wild didn’t waste any time adding numbers to the board during the third, sending them into the lead 2-1.
• :: Commence: SOAPBOX MOMENT :: A freak accident by Pekka lead to the Wild’s third goal from Cal Clutterbuck. As Peks was heading to control the puck, Clutterbuck slipped past the defense, leaving the goal wide open. As Pekka reacted to this move, he lost his footing and fell backwards, leaving a clean and empty goal for the Wild. After the game, Josh Cooper (Predators Insider for the Tennessean) quoted Pekka Rinne as saying, “Terrible, I lost the game for us.” This completely broke our hearts because what happened to Peks was a freak mishap. Everyone falls in hockey, it’s a proven fact (example: Joel Ward). It just so happened he lost his footing at the worst time possible, which is usually when sometime like that happens. Fans that attack Peks for screwing up must hold him high on some pedestal that they don’t for any other player, which is a prime example of a sore loser. He is not pulling at Chris Johnson, he is not being lazy; it’s called being human and, as with all humans, mistakes and unplanned mishaps happen. Get over it. He’s still the best goalie in the National Hockey League. You want Ellis back? Didn’t think so. :: Pardon the soapbox moment ::
• Craig Smith faced a questionable ‘interference on goalkeeper’ call during the third period. Wild goalie Josh Harding was closer to the left boards than the actual goal and was plowed into by Craig Smith. Definitely not goalie interference by any means, but not much can be done about it now.
• Ryan Suter got the last goal of the night for the Preds, scoring with the help of Jordin Tootoo and Martin Erat. He managed to use a power play to his advantage.
• The Wild out-shot the Predators by five points, 30 to 25. The Predators, however, only saw six penalties to the Wild’s seven, but both were equal with penalty time at 14 minutes. Here are the box lovers for the Predators:

1. Martin Erat – 1st 1:55 – Hooking
2. Francis Bouillon – 2nd 4:38 – Interference
3. Colin Wilson – 2nd 8:04 – Hi-Sticking (4 minutes for knocking out Gillies’ tooth)
4. Craig Smith – 3rd 6:29 – Interference on Goalkeeper
5. Ryan Suter – 3rd 8:12 – Slashing
6. Patric Hornqvist – 3rd 13:36 – Roughing

• Similar to Craig Smith’s call, Colin Wilson’s hi-sticking call may have been a fluke. Colin was called for hi-sticking Colton Gillies in the face, causing him to lose a tooth. He was given a major penalty and sent to the box for four minutes. However, when the incident was replayed, it was clear that Gillies hit himself in the face with his own stick. A video of the incident as not surfaced yet, but we’ll be on the lookout for it.
• Speaking of said incident, it is almost probable that Brian McGrattan channeled that stick to smack Colton Gillies in the mouth. Why is that? Please view said photo below:
• 

  "Well that settles it, McGrattan could kick your ass with his eyes with that kind of stare down." - Justin Bradford

  Now why was McGrattan caught making this face? If only someone could make a .gif with the video of this. McGrattan was boarded by Colton Gillies about six or so minutes before Colin Wilson “hi-sticked” his tooth out. McGrattan was rattled, but this was the look he glared at Gillies as he skated off the ice. McGrattan headed to the locker room, but basically turned right back around and hit the bench. It was almost certain once he returned to the ice, McGrattan was going to pound Gillies to a pulp, but Colin’s stick met his face before McGrattan’s fist could. Maybe he felt that was enough justice. We here at Lady Preds love Brian McGrattan.

  The Predators take a few days off for some Thanksgiving goodness, then it’s off to Detroit to face the Red Wings, the first meeting this season. The Predators are licking their wounds from these last three games, but maybe a few days off will be the key for the Predators to get (and keep) their head in the game.

  From all of us at Lady Preds, we’d like to wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving and want to say we are thankful for fans like you who keep us writing! GO PREDS.

Pekka was pulled after the first period, but Anders was no match for Edmonton's wrath either.

The Predators faced their second straight loss last night to the power hungry Edmonton Oilers, basically allowing Canada to steak claim of Nashville. On Saturday, the Edmonton Oilers destroyed the Chicago Blackhawks 9-2 and they were ready to do the same as they made their way to Nashville Tuesday night. As much as we’d like to say the Predators put up a decent fight, the game honestly never was evenly matched in scoring and, as stated before, Edmonton stuck their little Canadian flag atop the Bridgestone Arena. Here are the highlights of last night’s game:

KEY POINTS:

• Edmonton took the lead by four before the Predators could even make their first goal. Shawn Horcoff, Ales Hemsky, and two from Jordan Eberle shot past Peks before his fellow teammates could get their happy butts in gear. The Oilers head the 4-0 lead until the 3rd Period. Yikes.
• Pekka Rinne, who failed to block three of Edmonton’s goals was pulled after the first period, giving backup Anders Lindback a chance to take the reins. Lindback allowed three goals during the third period, but blocked 19 shots altogether. Pekka blocked 13 during the 1st.
• Jordin Tootoo not only scored the first goal for the Preds last night, it was also his first for the season. Toots scored at 11:32 in the 3rd on a power play. He was assisted by Captain Shea Weber and Alternate Ryan Suter.
• Edmonton decided that being up by three was not good enough and scored two more goals during the third, sending the lead by five. The score at that point was 6-1.
• With only 20 seconds left in the game, Jon Blum scored the second goal of the night for the Predators, but his and Tootoo’s goal wasn’t enough for a comeback against the Oilers. Blum was assisted by Mike Fisher and Jordin Tootoo. This is the second loss this season to the Edmonton Oilers for the Preds.
• Although the Predators and the Oilers tied in shots at 32, the Oilers came out with the upper-hand in connecting the goal and puck together. Also, the Predators didn’t do so hot with the power play even though they were given seven penalties to use. The Predators only found themselves in the box five times and here are your guilty:

1. Craig Smith – 1st 9:09 – Hooking
2. Jerred Smithson – 1st 13:45 – Holding
3. Matt Halischuk – 2nd 15:22 – Fighting (5 minutes)
4. Sergei Kostitsyn – 3rd 6:50 – Interference
5. Ryan Suter – 3rd 12:07 – Elbowing

The Predators did not end their home trek on a happy note, but now they are off on the road and seeking a win elsewhere. They will return to Edmonton on the 28th, hopefully ready to seek revenge on the Oilers (hope so). We here at Lady Preds have to stay on the positive side and admit that, although it was an ugly loss, at least we weren’t embarrassed by them like the ‘Hawks were (geez louise)!

GO PREDS.

SK74 had some issues shooting Thursday night Saturday night. Is he nervous of the attention?

The Nashville Predators hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets last night at Bridgestone Arena hoping to continue their winning streak. Unfortunately, the Blue Jackets (who, before last night’s game had only won three games) slipped a win past the home team in OT, 4-3. There’s nothing like losing to the worst team in the Western Conference (oh heck, the whole entire league) and either the Predators took it easy on the Jackets or they just jinxed themselves somehow. Either way, the Predators at least sent the game into overtime and got a point for the game (much better than nothing at all). The Columbus Blue Jackets have not seen a win at the Bridgestone Arena since 2006- nice. Here’s some highlights of last night’s game:

KEY POINTS:

• Elbows were thrown as soon as the puck dropped to start the game, with Jordin Tootoo and Derek Dorsett going at it (three seconds into the game, to be exact). Columbus and Nashville clearly aren’t fans of one another, for this wasn’t the only fight seen during this game. Here is the video in case you missed it from last night
• 59 seconds after Tootoo and Dorsett threw punches, Brian McGrattan wanted to remind fans why he’s being paid by the Predators. He and and Jared Boll squared off. Here is the video of McGrattan beating the living you-know-what out of Columbus’s Jared Boll [again, video courtesy to HockeyFights.com]:

• Derek Dorsett also tried starting a fight with Nashville’s Jack Hillen, but did not get the same result as he did with Tootoo. Dorsett did this all within 33 seconds of the game starting, earning himself 17 penalty minutes during this game.
• Colin Wilson struck gold first on the power play at 18:29 into the first period. He was assisted by recently recovered David Legwand and rookie Craig Smith.
• Columbus quickly evened the score at 3:29 into the 2nd, with Jeff Carter easily slipping it by Pekka and into the net.
• Mike Fisher scored the Predators second goal of the night at 10:27 on the PP, with assistance from Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
• It didn’t take long for the Jackets to tie the game up once again, with Vinny Prospal lifting the puck up above Pekka to score at 12:29 on the Predators PK.
• Columbus pulled ahead at 1:45 in the 3rd with a goal from R.J. Umberger, sending both the Predators and the fans into a frenzy.
• Nick Spaling was able to send the game into overtime with a goal at 14:24 with assists from Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
• Sadly, Pekka was screened by his own defensemen, allowing Columbus to seal the game ending goal.
• The Predators out-shot the Blue Jackets by one shot, 3o to their 29, but also faced more penalty time than the Jackets. Here’s who spent some time in the box:

1. Jordin Tootoo – 0.03 1st Period – Fighting (5 minutes)
2. Brian McGrattan – 1:02 1st Period – Fighting (5 minutes)
3. Matt Halischuk – 1:59 1st Period – Tripping (2 minutes)
4. Jack Hillen – 6:35 1st Period – Unsportsmanlike Conduct (2 minutes)
5. Sergei Kostitsyn – 10:31 1st Period – Hooking (2 minutes)
6. Francis Bouillon – 11:21 2nd Period – Delaying the Game (2 minutes)
7. Ryan Suter – 1:34 – 3rd Period – Roughing (2 minutes)
8. Ryan Suter – 2:47 – 3rd Period – Hooking (2 minutes)

• And, forgotten to mention at the beginning of this post, Blake Geoffrion was scratched from last night’s game. Don’t worry, it was a healthy scratch.

The Predators finish off their homestead march by welcoming the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, November 22nd. The Predators have already lost to the Oilers once this season in Edmonton on October 17th, but hopefully the Preds are ready to give them a dose of their own medicine in Nashville.

Although it they weren’t the greatest team to lose to, the Predators still sent the game into OT and gained a point for the game. The puck drops against Edmonton at 7CT Tuesday. GO PREDS.

Is this metaphorically how the Preds "squashed" the Maple Leafs? We think so.

The Predators welcome their final Eastern Conference contender last night as they hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs in Music City. The Predators only allowed the Leafs one goal, but they didn’t exactly give the Predators the game, either. Toronto put up a decent fight, with Pekka blocking 38 of 39 shots at the goal. However, the home team had the advantage and sent the Maple Leafs back to Toronto and the Eastern Conference, 4-1. Here are some highlights from last night’s game:

KEY POINTS:

• Martin Erat was first to the goal last night at 5:48 into the first. He found the goal on the rebound with assistance from Sergei Kostitsyn and Mike Fisher. The Predators would remain 1-0 over the Leafs through the rest of the 1st Period.
• The Leafs made use of their Power Play in the 2nd, tying the game. Toronto’s John-Michael Liles swept it past Pekka Rinne to give the Leafs their own goal of the night.
• During a face-off, Mike Fisher “slashed” former Predator Matthew Lombardi with his stick, sending Lombardi to the locker room. Fisher was not charged with a penalty, but Lombardi did not return to the game and was seen leaving with his left arm in a sling. An updated source from TSN claims Lombardi will be out for a minimum of three weeks. Beware Leafs, three weeks to Lombardi equals the entire season. The Predators traded Matthew Lombardi (and Cody Franson) to the Maple Leafs after Lombardi suffered a season ending concussion against the Blackhawks on October 13, 2010. Did you notice Lombardi limping off the ice? Or do you even know who that is?
• Ryan Suter was quick to regain the lead for the Predators, taking a wrist shot past Toronto’s goalie Ben Scrivens at 12:42 in the second. He was assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn and Shea Weber.
• Brian McGrattan did what the Predators pay him for and took after Toronto’s Jay Rosehill. An estimated 30-50 punches were said to be thrown, with McGrattan hitting Rosehill with almost all of them. It is clear that McGrattan won that fight considering Rosehill couldn’t even reach McGrattan’s face. Both McGrattan and Rosehill faced a five minute penalty for fighting, but McGrattan faced an additional 10 minutes due to misconduct. Here’s the video from the fight, if you missed it.

• The Fisher-Erat-Kostitsyn line struck gold once again, with Martin Erat scoring his second goal of the night. Erat won two of his four shots at goal, which is pretty successful indeed. And, although Kostitsyn had three assists on the four goals, he did not once take a shot at the goal. Does SK74 have shooting anxiety?
• David Legwand did not play again tonight, but he has been seen on the ice during practices. Hopefully with this news, Leggy will be ready sooner than expected. Coach Barry Trotz has high hopes for Leggy to hit the ice on Saturday night against the Blue Jackets, but it will more than likely be a game day decision.
• Mistake of the night goes to rookie Craig Smith. With an empty net, Smith charged the net and tried lifting it into the net from three feet away. Unfortunately, Craig’s puck went into the wrong net- say, the one that protects fans from flying pucks. Craig was clearly embarrassed and left the arena before media could speak with him. His goof also made Yahoo!’s front page. Accidental goofs like that happen and better it happen now than later on.
• Matt Halischuk fixed Craig Smith’s boo-boo by sealing the empty-netter at 19:37 in the third, sending the Maple Leafs packing 4-1.
• The Maple Leafs out-shot the Predators 39 to 22, but it was clear that, either the Predators just shot better or Pekka was just the better goalie (well, that’s a no-brainer). The Predators and the Maple Leafs tied in penalties with four. Here’s who was sent to the box from the Preds:

1. Jack Hillen – 2nd Period 9:17 – Hi-Sticking (2 Minutes)
2. Jordin Tootoo – 3rd Period 2:30 – Tripping (2 Minutes)
3. Brian McGrattan – 3rd Period 7:02 – Fighting (5 Minutes)
4. Brian McGrattan – 3rd Period 7:02 – Misconduct (10 Minutes)

The Predators continue their home advantage by hosting fellow Western Conference contenders the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday and the Edmonton Oilers next Tuesday night. Saturday night’s game is also featured as a “McDonald’s Family Four-Pack” game. You can check out more information here.

GO PREDS.

Pekka does whatever it takes to stop the puck, including this maneuver here.

Could that have been the greatest, most action packed third period of this season for the Preds? We don’t know about future games, but it sure rivaled the past ones! Both teams didn’t strike gold until late into the third period, but the Predators only allowed Joel Ward and the Capitals one goal before putting the hurt on them. Here are the highlights of tonight’s game:

KEY POINTS:

• David Legwand found himself out of the game again tonight due to injury and both Teemu Laakso and Brian McGrattan were scratched from the game.
• Because both Pekka Rinne and Washington’s TomasVokoun are products of Preds goalie coach Mitch Korn, some called this the “Mitch Korn Classic”. Both goalies played well tonight, blocking some outrageous shots to the goal. Obviously, Coach Korn knows how to train them for the long haul, well after they’ve left the Preds.
• As stated before, both the Preds and the Capitals were scoreless until the third period. Washington’s Troy Brouwer struck first at 15:14. However, the Predators decided it was time to stop being so nice to Joel Ward’s new team…
• Just 28 seconds later, at 15:42, Shea Weber made a blind pass through the crease to Martin Erat, who slipped it passed Vokoun to tie the game. Along with Weber, Mike Fisher also picked up an assist with this goal.
• As fans got ready for OT, Colin Wilson decided there was no need for such nonsense and, with only 24.7 seconds left in the game (19:35), Willy scored the winning goal. He was assisted by Martin Erat.
• However, that was not the last goal of the night for the Predators. Exactly five seconds later, after Vokoun was pulled from the ice, Captain Shea Weber sealed the game for the Preds with an empty netter. Mike Fisher picked up his second assist for the night on this goal, too.
• The Predators put a wallop on the Capitals when it came to shots, out-shooting Washington 40 to 31. Of course, the Predators also have more shots than the Capitals did in the third, 17 to 13.
• The referees were extra blind tonight, letting very obvious penalties go astray, but managed to see anything the Predators did (of course). Thus, the Predators found themselves in the penalty box more than Washington, 3 penalty to their 2 “caught” penalties. Here’s who spent some time in the box:

1. Shea Weber – 1st Period 18:01 – Interference
2. Ryan Suter – 1st Period 19:05 – Tripping
3. Sergei Kostitsyn – 2nd Period 15:43 – Tripping

• The Predators were up to par on their backchecking, preventing the Capitals from scoring some crucial goals. Of course, with the awesomeness that is Pekka Rinne, players like Craig Smith, Matt Halischuk, and Jordin Tootoo were able to prevent the Capitals from scoring more than once.

Don't forget to "Write In" Craig Smith!!!

The voting “booth” is now officially open! You can now go onto Vote.NHL.com and vote for 3 of your favorite Fowards, 2 of your favorite Defensemen, and your favorite goalie!

These are who, as Preds fans, should vote for:

• Forwards: No Predators are listed! What?! That’s okay! You can write-in a vote! And who should this be? CRAIG SMITH. You know he deserves it! Don’t forget to write-in CRAIG SMITH. We assume you can only write in one player, so forget the other two players! Just write in CRAIG SMITH. Did you get that yet?
• Defensemen: Ryan Suter and Shea Weber.
• Goalie: Pekka Rinne (duh)

Lady Preds contributor Laura meeting Nick Spaling back in the Spring.

Looks like there are a few Preds events coming up in the very near future, fans! Here is your chance to meet a few of your favorite players and get their signatures (possibly a picture, too)! And for some reason, they are all happening on Wednesday!

• November 16th – 4:30 to 5:30 – Meet Blake Geoffrion and Matt Halischuk and the Madison Dollar General! The Dollar General is located at 2174 Gallatin Pike North! Come out and show your Preds pride! This is a free event, too!
• November 16th – 6:30PM – Pekka Rinne and Patric Hornqvist will be special guests at a wine tasting charity event at Bound’ry restaurant in Nashville. Tickets for this event are $200 per person and all proceeds benefit the Predators Foundation. With this purchase, not only do you get to “wine and dine” with two of the Predators most popular players, you also get a six course, gourmet meal! You can view more details here.
• November 16th – 7 to 8PM – The second airing of The Tootoo Radio Show is hitting the airwaves once again at Blackstone Brewery on West End! Tootoo always has a special guest during his show and this week it’s rookie Craig Smith! Photos and autographs will be allowed so don’t forget your camera and Sharpies!

Jordin Tootoo tries to control the puck and keep it away from Montreal's Raphael Diaz.

The Predators returned home Saturday from a successful road trip out West, ready for familiar faces and their 1000th regular season game. Unfortunately, the Montreal Canadiens did not care what kind of “special” game this was for the Predators and spoiled the celebration by winning 2-1 in OT. Although the Habs are an Eastern Conference team, the loss still was hard, especially on such an important, historical night for the franchise (the one point helped, though). Here are the highlights:

KEY POINTS:

•  Nick Spaling returned from Injured Reserve and scheduled some ice time. He was placed on IR after an incident with Anaheim back on October 29th.
• David Legwand, Brian McGrattan, and Teemu Laasko were all three scratched for the night, with Leggy recovering from an injury sustained during the game against the L.A. Kings. Since this was the 1000th game (and he’s been around since practically the get-go), Leggy was present during the presentation of former Predators players and staff.
• The Canadiens drew first blood in 13:49 of the 1st with a goal by David Desharnals who, unlike other teams, tricked Pekka Rinne and scored.
• Captain Shea Weber scored the only goal of the night 3:20 into the 2nd with assists from both Ryan Suter and newly recovered Nick Spaling. This was Weber’s second goal of the season.
• Because the Habs are in the Eastern Conference, two relative players rarely get to play one another. Unfortunately, Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei’s older brother who plays for the Habs, was scratched during Saturday’s game. Sergei was actually acquired from the Canadiens in June of 2010. Maybe next go round, eh?
• Neither Preds nor Habs were able to score during the third, sending the game into OT. Unfortunately for the sold out Nashville crowd, Montreal’s Max Pacioretty scored 2:31 into overtime, giving the Habs the overall win.
• The Predators did come out winners in both shots and penalties tonight with the Predators shooting 26 to the Habs’ 25. The Predators only had four penalties compared to Montreal’s 5, also. Here are the penalties on the Preds:

1. Jerred Smithson – 5:09 1st Period – Holding
2. Matt Halischuk – 2:01 2nd Period – Tripping
3. Jerred Smithson – 10:54 2nd Period – Tripping
4. Jordin Tootoo – 20:00 2nd Period – Cross Checking

Would you want to see these three in the All-Star Game?

Nashville’s Ryan Suter, Pekka Rinne, and Captain Shea Weber all have made the fan ballot for the All-Star Game held on January 29, 2012 in Ottawa. Weber has already been to two All-Star games, but if voted in, this will be both Pekka and Ryan’s first time.

Voting begins Monday, November 14th and you can vote several different ways:

• You can vote via the NHL website here.
• You can vote via text messaging by sending your vote to 81812, and text your choice player’s last name. As you know, data rates and fees may apply.
• You can also share your votes via Twitter and Facebook, prompting others to vote for their choice players, also.

Let’s get the voting going next Monday and help Suter and Pekka see their first All-Star game along with letting Shea play in his third.

If his goal hadn't be given to Wilson, Horny would lead the franchise goals in consecutive games.

The Hicksville Hee Haws may have faltered against the Kings last night, but the Anaheim Schmucks had no chance against the little Country Bumpkins tonight. If you have no clue as to why we are referring the Predators to “Hicksville Hee Haws” and “Country Bumpkins”, don’t worry about it. The “sports writer” who affectionately named our team that is now dragging his knuckles back to Disneyland. Don’t worry, buddy; We miss Emilio Estevez, too.

Although they lost to the Kings last night, the Preds were bound and determined not to let that affect them tonight against the Schmucks -err, Ducks. Come on, did you really think the Preds would let sissy Perry get a win in his own arena? Yea, not so much. Either the Predators took the loss last night hard or the Ducks just are that bad, we aren’t sure (we’ll say the latter of the two), but the Predators came out for some roast duck tonight and left satisfied. With goalies from Wilson, Erat, and two from Craig Smith, there was no way the Ducks were going to stand a chance. The Predators are headed home with a win of the Ducks, 4-2. Here is a little summary of the game:

KEY POINTS:

•  David Legwand was missing from action tonight after a check last night, but both Kevin Klein and Sergei Kostitsyn hit the ice tonight. Kostitsyn did not see much ice time tonight, but that was mostly expected. Hopefully with making an appearance tonight, he will be 100% by Saturday. Leggy’s condition and return is still up in the air.
• First goal of the night was scored by the Honey Badger himself, Craig Smith with assists from Patric Hornqvist and Colin Wilson. Smith scored early (1:20) in the first, sliding the puck passed Jonas Hiller at the side of the net.
• Colin Wilson was happy with his assist and quickly put the Preds up 2-0 with assists from Craig Smith and Patric Hornqvist. The goal was originally awarded to Horny and, if it had been his goal, he would be the franchise leader of goals in consecutive games. Way to screw it up, Willy… (just kidding)!
• Anaheim was able to score within the last minute of the first, with Devante Smith-Pelly screening Pekka and slipping the puck passed him.
• Martin Erat sent the Preds up by three on what may have been the most interesting call of the night. During a power play for the Ducks, Marty wound up on a shorthand breakaway and Anaheim’s Lubmomir Visnovsky gave him a little push, so to say. The referees awarded Erat with a penalty shot, in which he was able to slip passed Hiller for the third Predators goal. If you watch the incident over again, you can see the call was sort of iffy at most. Of course, if it had been reversed on the Preds, we’d be saying “ref you suck”, too. However, the call was made and you can’t do anything about it at this point. We are just happy Erat isn’t pressured easily on penalty shots.
• Anaheim quickly responded with a goal from Beauchemin, but the two rivals left the second period 3-2 in favor of the Predators.
• Craig Smith sealed the game for the Predators at the 1:36 mark in the third, with assists from, yet again, Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist. It is clear that this lineup is a perfect match and it looks like the Preds have found their “3 Musketeers”.
• Also in Craig Smith news, with his performance in tonight’s game, Smith now leads in rookie points with 14. Can we say “Calder candidate”? If he continues to perform the way he has, it is clearly a no-brainer.
• Anaheim lead in shots tonight, but were only up by one. They lead the Predators 33 to 32.
• Again with the penalties, the Predators found themselves in the box more than Anaheim. Like the shots on goal, they were only up by one, but it’s still nothing to brag about. Luckily, Hornqvist did not find himself hanging out here tonight. Here are your penalty killers:

1. Martin Erat – 1st 13:13 – Hi-Sticking
2. Jordin Tootoo – 2nd 2:35 – Hi-Sticking
3. Craig Smith – 2nd 11:33 – Hooking
4. Jerred Smithson – 3rd 11:19 – Interference
5. Ryan Suter – 3rd 15:06 – Holding