Tag: shea weber

Hal Gill makes Debut, Predators overthrow Stars 3-2

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Hal Gill makes his debut with Nashville in Dallas tonight.

The Predators were a little distraught after losing to the Red Wings with five seconds left in the game on Friday night, giving Detroit its 22nd consecutive home game win. The Predators didn’t have time to dwell on their loss, though because they were quickly sent off to Dallas to take on the Stars, a team they had yet to seal a win against this season. However, the Predators had just acquired a potential killing machine on Friday afternoon and he stands at 6’7″… Here are the highlights from tonight’s game:

KEY POINTS:

  • Defenseman Hal Gill made his debut with Nashville tonight in Dallas, sporting the white and gold. At 6’7″, he made Jordin Tootoo look like he was skating with Goliath during the game. #75 is very hard to miss on the ice.
  • Patric Hornqvist and Brian McGrattan are still lingering on the IR, hopefully healing quickly. In a surprise scratch is Mike Fisher, who is currently suffering from the flu. Jack Hillen was also scratched from tonight.
  • Dallas got the ball rolling at 6:49 in the first period with a wrist shot from Michael Ryder, his 23rd goal of the season.
  • At 15:39, rookie Gabriel Bourque tied it up 1-1, his third goal of the season. David Legwand and Matt Halischuk pick up the assists.
  • In an outstanding goal, Shea Weber was able to put the Predators up 2-1 with just one second left in the 1st at 19:59. This was his 12th goal of the season with Ryan Suter and Sergei Kostitsyn picking up the assists.
  • The 2nd period only produced one goal, and luckily it was from Colin Wilson at 16:05 with a backhanded goal passed Kari Lehtonen, his 12th goal of the season. Jordin Tootoo and goalie Pekka Rinne gain the assists.
  • The Predators held the lead at 3-1 until 15:11 in the third, when Alex Goligoski knocked a wrist shot passed Pekka for his eight goal of the season. Even with the Stars on the power play with the last minute in the game and an empty net, it just wasn’t enough for the Stars to tie up the game, giving the Predators their first win in Dallas this season 3-2.
  • The Stars out shot the Predators 24 to 21, but Pekka was able to stop 22 of them and managed to pick up an assist, his third this season. Newcomer Hal Gill was the only penalty for the Predators at 17:55 in the third due to a tripping call. It put the Predators in a sticky situation, but the team was able to hold out for the win.

The Predators head back to Nashville to take on the ever-so-lovely Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. The Predators fell in the shootout the last time Vancouver came to visit the Music City, so the Predators definitely do not want another loss to the Sedin twins on their own home turf.

Check out our events page for all the fun that is going on this week! A public skate at Bridgestone, a Jordin Tootoo Show, and a meet and greet!

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit of: Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

Predators Face 3rd Loss in a Row, Fall to Bruins 4-3 in Shootout

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Shea Weber scored the first goal for the Predators, but was it enough?

The Predators hoped to shrug off the past two losses with a trip to Bean Town to face the 2011 Stanley Cup champs, the Boston Bruins this afternoon. However, similar to the Ottawa situation, Boston was coming off a nasty previous loss, one where they lost 6-0 to the Buffalo Sabres. As such, the Bruins were seeing red and the Predators, although in white, blue, and gold, might as well should have been wearing giant targets on their chests. With 17,565 in attendance, could the Predators knock out the reining Stanley Cup champs and seal the win? Here are the highlights from today’s noon start game in Boston:

KEY POINTS

  • A surprise in the scratch department, silent but deadly Matt Halischuk was scratched, along with rookie Ryan Ellis. This meant the usual Brandon Yip and Jack Hillen finally got some ice time, but sadly, Brian McGrattan was scratched yet again.
  • Both teams battled back and forth until 16:00 in the first when Boston’s Patrice Bergeron hit a wrist shot passed Pekka Rinne on a shorthanded goal for his 16th goal of the season. The Predators and the Bruins would ended the first period 1-0.
  • The Predators caught up at 7:32 when Shea Weber used the power play to his advantage and nailed his one-of-a-kind slap shot passed Tim Thomas, his 11th goal of the season. Ryan Suter picked up the assist on Weber’s goal. The Bruins and the Predators would end the 2nd period tied at 1.
  • The Bruins wasted no time in the third, with a backhand goal from Daniel Paille, his 9th goal of the season.
  • Patric Hornqvist waited until 9:33 to slip a wrist shot passed Tim Thomas for his 17th goal of the season, tying the game at 2. Sergei Kostitsyn and goalie Pekka Rinne picked up the two assists.
  • Mike Fisher finally put the Predators up and over the Bruins at 16:28 with a backhanded goal of his own, his 17th goal of the season. Patric Hornqvist and Francis Bouillon picked up the assists on Fisher’s goal.
  • At 18:53, Milan Lucic was able to tie the game by sending a wrist shot passed Pekka Rinne, his 20th goal of the season. Neither team was able to score again in regulation, thus throwing the game into overtime.
  • Both Boston and Nashville fought back and forth during overtime, but neither time was able to get one passed the goalies to end the game. Here is the shootout play-by-play:
  1. BOSTON – David Krejci – SAVED BY RINNE
  2. NASHVILLE – Sergei Kostitsyn – SAVED BY THOMAS
  3. BOSTON – Tyler Seguin – GOAL
  4. NASHVILLE – Martin Erat – SAVED BY THOMAS
  5. BOSTON – Patrice Bergeron – GOAL
  • With two successful sweeps passed Pekka, Boston sealed the 2-points and the game, leaving the Predators to hang their heads and tuck tail back to Nashville. Although Nashville slipped away with one point, now is not the time to go on a losing streak. This is the 3rd game in a row the Predators have lost 4-3 and, although it could be worse, a loss is a loss.
  • Although it’s easy to blame Pekka, he honestly hasn’t done anything different. He was able to block 38 of 41 shots on goal, which is pretty outstanding. It all plays back to the Predators defense and shots, neither of which we want to delve into at this moment.
  • The Predators were given three power play opportunities, one of which they were able to capitalize on. Unfortunately, the Predators were able to give Boston two power play goals out of four chances. Here are the penalty takers:
  1. Mike Fisher – 10:37 1st Period – Hooking
  2. Craig Smith – 13:02 1st Period – Too many Men/Ice
  3. Sergei Kostitsyn – 10:30 2nd Period – Interference
  4. Sergei Kostitsyn – 17:42 3rd Period – Tripping

The Predators head home with a third loss hanging over their heads and hope to start back on a winning streak when division rival the Chicago Blackhawks come to town on Valentine’s Day. As stated before, there’s never a good time to have a losing streak, but with the battle for division and conference leaders at steak, now is really not the time. We can only hope for the best on Tuesday.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

2012 All-Star Fantasy Draft Roster

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2012 All-Star Game in Ottawa

The 2012 All-Star Game roster has been announced and, in case you missed where Suter, Weber, and Smith ended up, here are where your favorite Predators and favorite other hockey players ended up for the game on Sunday!

TEAM CHARA:
Forwards:
Joffrey Lupul – Toronto Maple Leafs
Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings
Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins
Marian Hossa – Chicago Blackhawks
Corey Perry – Anaheim Ducks
Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs
Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks
Jarome Iginla – Calgary Flames
Marian Gaborik – New York Rangers
Jordan Eberle – Edmonton Oilers
Jamie Benn – Dallas Stars

Defensemen:
Zdeno Chara (of course he’s on his own team) – Boston Bruins
Kimmo Timonen – Philadelphia Flyers
Ryan Suter – Nashville Predators
Brian Campbell – Florida Panthers
Dion Phaneuf – Toronto Maple Leafs
Dennis Wideman – Washington Capitals

Goalies:
Tim Thomas – Boston Bruins
Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
Jimmy Howard – Detroit Red Wings

Rookies:
Luke Adam – Buffalo Sabres
Raphael Diaz – Montreal Canadiens
Colin Greening – Ottawa Senators
Cody Hodgson – Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Johansen  – Columbus Blue Jackets
Gabriel Landeskog – Colorado Avalanche

TEAM ALFREDSSON:
Forwards:
Daniel Alfredsson (could possibly be his team) – Ottawa Senators
Jason Spezza – Ottawa Senators
Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers
Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning
Daniel Sedin – Vancouver Canucks
Milan Michalek – Ottawa Senators
Henrik Sedin – Vancouver Canucks
James Neal – Pittsburgh Penguins
John Tavares – New York Islanders
Scott Hartnell – Philadelphia Flyers
Jason Pominville – Buffalo Sabres
Logan Couture – San Jose Sharks

Defensemen:
Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
Kris Letang – Pittsburgh Penguins
Shea Weber – Nashville Predators
Dan Girardi – New York Rangers
Keith Yandle – Pheonix Coyotes
Alexander Edler – Vancouver Canucks

Goalies:
Henrik Lundqvist – New York Rangers
Jonathan Quick – L.A. Kings
Brian Elliot – St. Louis Blues

Rookies:
Sean Couturier – Philadelphia Flyers
Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes
Carl Hagelin – New York Rangers
Matt Read – Philadelphia Flyers
Craig Smith – Nashville Predators
Nick Johnson – Minnesota Wild

Phew! That took a while to write! Anyway, as you can see, Shea Weber and Craig Smith are together, whereas Ryan Suter is on his own this year with Team Chara. Now that the draft is officially over, the two teams will prepare for the Skills Competition on Saturday at 6PM CT. Sunday is the big day, when the two teams battle for number one at 3PM CT. We will keep you updated on the Skills Competition and the All-Star Game as the events happen!

What do you think about Shea Weber/Craig Smith vs. Ryan Suter?

Predators Shutout Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0

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Pekka Rinne continues to dominate against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Predators finished up their short, three-game road trip last night against division rivals the Columbus Blue Jackets. Okay, using the word “rivals” is being overly nice, considering the Predators have won four games against them and only lost one 4-3 in overtime. Needless to say, both the Predators and the fans were expecting a nice recovery win after being shutout 3-0 against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. Pekka Rinne and the Predators answered that loss with a shutout of their own, denying the Columbus Blue Jackets any goal 3-0. Interestingly enough, although the Blue Jackets are last in the league, Columbus was the only team left that had yet to have a shutout all season. Welp, that ending last night. Here are the highlights from last night’s game in O-HI-O:

KEY POINTS:

  • Ryan Suter was missing from action once again last night due to his upper-body injury. Although still unnamed, coach Barry Trotz did say it was not his head, so no concussions for number 20. Good news for Jerred Smithson, as he was released off the IR last night just in time to play against the Blue Jackets. Brian McGrattan was scratched along with the new kid from Denver, Brandon Yip.
  • With the news of Smithson’s release off the IR, news of a new Right Wing that was picked up off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche began to circulate. Brandon Yip was drafted 8th in the 2004 Draft by the Avalanche and has recently recovered from groin and arm injuries he sustained during the season, keeping him from major ice time. Most would say this could put the Predators in a sticky situation, but then again, same was said when the Predators picked up SK74 also…
  • Neither team was able to collect any goals during the first period, but Martin Erat was finally able in the second to give the Predators the advantage at 11:08. He and Sergei Kostitsyn completed a nice 2-on-1 to collect the goal. This was Marty’s 11th goal for the season.
  • Mike Fisher wasted no time grabbing his 9th goal of the season at 13:11 with assistance from Martin Erat and Roman Josi on the power play.
  • Shea Weber and his sniper shot from 160 feet away to the empty net sealed the game in the Predators favor at 19:28. Jerred Smithson and Kevin Klein helped set up the impressive shot. This was Weber’s 10th goal of the season.
  • Pekka Rinne was the much deserving 1st Star of the Night last night with his incredible 38 saves, including quite a few inhuman moves to block the net. After resting against the Rangers, Peks definitely proved he was rested up against the ever-competitive Central Division. This win over the Blue Jackets was Pekka’s 120th win of his career.
  • The Predators may have won 3-0, but they were out-shot 38 to 25. The Predators also gave the Columbus Blue Jackets more power play chances, but the Blue Jackets were unable to capitalize from any of them. Here are the three guys who took the penalties:
  1. Nick Spaling – 7:34 2nd Period – Tripping
  2. Francis Bouillon – 3:53 3rd Period – Hooking
  3. Sergei Kostitsyn – 18:43 3rd Period – Slashing

The Predators are still 4th in the Central Division, but are now 27-16-4 on the season and are 9th overall in the league. The Predators welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to Nashville tomorrow night, who are currently in 3rd in the division. As you might assume, the Predators are clawing their way to the top to topple the Detroit Red Wings, who are currently on a five-game winning streak.

The Predators and the Blackhawks drop the puck at 7PM tomorrow night. Don’t forget: If you normally purchase the $10 tickets at the box office on Saturday mornings, they have changed the way you can get tickets now. To sway the sell of tickets to scalpers, the Predators are now “raffling” the 100 $10 to fans who get to the box office 30 minutes before tickets go on sale. Hopefully this will work out well in the favor of the fans.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

Predators knock the Wind out of Hurricanes, Win 5-2

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Rookie Ryan Ellis with the puck that landed his first NHL goal.

Yet another franchise record was broken last night, as the Predators sold out their 8th consecutive game against the Carolina Hurricanes. And, with this sell out, the Predators also came out swinging, knocking the wind out of the Hurricanes 5-2. Here are the highlights from last night’s extraordinary win:

KEY POINTS

  • Colin Wilson made his return to the ice last night after suffering from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for a number of games. Brian McGrattan and Jack Hillen sat out as healthy scratches for the night, giving the rookies some more time to familiarize with the NHL.
  • Shea Weber got the game going with his ninth goal of the season at 9:14 in the first period. Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn assisted on Shea’s goal.
  • Craig Smith wasted little time sending the Predators up 2-0 at 13:16 in the first, smacking a one-timer passed Justin Peters. This was Smith’s first goal in fifteen games and he was assisted by Colin Wilson and David Legwand on the power play.
  • Patric Hornqvist would handle the next two goals, both on the power play advantage. The first goal was at 17:04 in the 2nd period, with assistance from Mike Fisher and Ryan Ellis. His second goal was at 6:56 in the 3rd, with assistance from Martin Erat and Mike Fisher.
  • In what should have been Hornqvist’s third goal of the night, the goal was placed under review and was deemed a “no goal” due to a kicking motion. However, in review of the play, there wasn’t a foot in sight and the fans were vocally upset about Horny’s Hat Trick being taken away. Hats were still thrown to the ice, nevertheless.
  • Carolina scored their first goal at 8:35 in the 3rd from Jay Harrison, finally putting the Hurricanes on the board (and the free doughnut was lost). Harrison would also score the second and last goal for the Hurricanes at 17:56 on the power play.
  • Rookie Ryan Ellis scored the game-winning goal for the Predators at 14:28, his first career NHL goal. Mike Fisher and rookie Roman Josi helped assist the goal.
  • The Predators, though a bit sloppy at first, outplayed the Hurricanes by a mile and a half. Not only did the Predators out score the Hurricanes 36 to 29, they also only gave the Hurricanes two power plays, whereas Carolina gave the Predators five (four of which the Predators capitalized on). Here are the two Predators who faced penalty time:
  1. Jordin Tootoo – 12:58 2nd Period – Slashing
  2. Roman Josi – 16:12 3rd Period – Hooking

After Thursday’s disheartening loss to the Dallas Stars, a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes was just what the Predators needed to hit the road to Colorado on Tuesday. Also with this win, thanks to the L.A. King’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Predators have now moved up in the Western Conference standings.
After Tuesday’s trip to Denver, both teams will meet again, this time to play in Smashville. We welcome the return of Shane O’Brien, most definitely.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit: Nashville Predators)

Bourque’s first NHL Goal not Enough; Dallas overtakes Preds 4-1

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Gabriel Bourque landed his first NHL career goal against the Dallas Stars.

The second meeting of between the Predators and the Stars was hosted in Nashville, and the crowd was ready for the inevitable angst brewing between the two teams. During the last meeting between these two teams in Dallas on December 23rd, Dallas defenseman Mark Fistric leveled Predators captain Shea Weber at the end of the game, placing Weber on the IR up until their second meeting. If you missed the nasty hit, here’s the video:


Needless to say, both the team and the fans of the Nashville Predators were visibly upset by the fact Fistric was not reprimanded by his careless hit and the fact Tootoo was suspended after the whole incident with Buffalo. Last night was going to be brutal for the Stars, one way or another. Here are the highlights from last night’s game:

KEY POINTS

  • Earlier in the day yesterday, the Predators announced that Shea Weber would be released off of IR and would be ready to play against the Stars. Colin Wilson was also deemed healthy, but was still scratched from the game.
  • With Colin Wilson, both Jonathon Blum and Ryan Ellis were also scratched from the game with the return of Shea Weber and the recent return of Kevin Klein.
  • Although many thought Brian McGrattan would be the one to take on Mark Fistric, it was actually Jordin Tootoo who dropped the gloves with the Dallas defenseman at 1:46 into the game. It wasn’t a punch free-for-all kind of fight, but Tootoo clearly won the battle when he body-slammed Fistric, who is almost fifty pounds heavier. Here’s the video:
  • Although Nashville came out with a bit of power, they weren’t able to stop Dallas from drawing the first blood. The Predators were quick to return the favor at 8:31, with Gabriel Bourque’s first career NHL goal. Both Jordin Tootoo and Nick Spaling picked up the assists.
  • With only a few seconds left in the first, Dallas scored once again on what looked like a onside goal from Kevin Klein. It looked as if, when Klein was trying to block the puck, he accidently bumped the puck in behind Pekka Rinne, but after review, it was clear Mike Ribeiro snuck it in.
  • Jamie Benn would send the Stars up 3-1 thanks to a nasty miscommunication amongst the Predators. Ryan Suter reversed the puck, only to have none of his men in waiting. Benn caught Pekka off guard and sunk the easy goal.
  • Steve Ott was given a penalty shot shortly after Benn’s goal, but was unsuccessful against the Finnish phenom that is Pekka Rinne.
  • Adam Burish sealed the game in the favor of the Stars at 12:53 in the third, the second loss for the Predators this season against the Dallas Stars.

The Predators were out-shot by the Stars 25 to 30 and suffered from more penalties than the Stars did. Here were the boys who faced some penalty time:

  1. Jordin Tootoo – 1:46 1st Period – Fighting
  2. Shea Weber – 0:46 2nd Period – Holding
  3. Mike Fisher – 19:03 2nd Period – Tripping
  4. Francis Bouillon 5:44 3rd Period – Roughing
  5. Jordin Tootoo – 8:35 3rd Period – Interference
  6. Jordin Tootoo – 8:35 3rd Period – Diving
  • Anders Lindback and Jonathon Blum were reassigned to Milwaukee to gain more ice time and goalie Jeremy Smith was bumped up to Nashville, his first call-up to the NHL. Rumors are running amuck that the Predators are looking to trade and Blum might be the unfortunate person. With rookies like Roman Josi, Gabriel Bourque, and Ryan Ellis playing as well as they have been in the NHL, falling short in the defense area for the Predators is basically a death sentence. Sadly, Blum just hasn’t quite matched the other rookies thus far (nor did Blake Geoffrion, who is hanging out in Milwaukee as well).

The Predators tore out of the gate last night emotionally and what seemed physically ready, but as the game progressed, ill-fated mistakes and miscommunication lead to the loss at home against the Dallas Stars. While the Predators are usually able to regain themselves after silly mistakes, the Stars ate up every mishap and used each one to their advantage.

Even though it was a 4-1 loss, the Predators still made regular season franchise history by selling out their 7th consecutive game. The Predators look to score an 8th consecutive sellout when the Carolina Hurricanes roll into Smashville tomorrow night. The puck drops at 7PM.

GO PREDS.
(Image credit: Leanne Charles Photography)