NAPTIME IN NASHVILLE: Predators 4, Blackhawks 1
Maybe it was the late start. Maybe it was the vertical jet lag, what with flying within the same time zone. Maybe they took the whole "One Goal" thing too much to heart.Whatever the reason, the Hawks sleepwalked on the ice tonight, and the Nashville Predators made them pay dearly, winning 4-1.
Preds' goalie Pekka Rinne was hardly challenged all night. Where he stonewalled the Hawks in Game 1, and damn near stole Game 2, he barely broke a sweat tonight.
THE GOOD:
The penalty kill. They generated more offense than the Preds' power play. That's all I've got.
THE BAD:
Lack of any kind of offensive organization. Yet another night of either overpassing or throwing the puck at Rinne without putting anyone in front. Funny thing is, the one goal they scored was Kopecky deflecting a puck in traffic.
Lack of recognition. Rinne drops quickly, and is slow to get back up. Edzo pointed out on the telestrator that the Hawks need to go top shelf, and they kept shooting right into Rinne's pads. This keeps up and the Hawks will have to answer a lot of "What happened?" questions next week.
THE UGLY:
Penalties, Stupid, stupid penalties. Whether it;s Kris Versteeg leaving his skates to lay a hit, or Ben Eager boarding a puckless player, they wound up taking three penalties in a row in the second period. Then Dustin Byfuglien hooks Martin Erat, giving him a penalty shot that he buried.
Has anyone seen Troy Brouwer? Did QStache forget he was dressed?
They go again Thursday in Nashville. The Hawks have a must-win in front of them.
Posted by Forklift at 4/20/2010 10:02 PM 
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nashville Predators
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Nashville Predators
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nashville Predators
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Nashville Predators
Maybe it was the trip to the Grand Ole Opry before the game.
The Hawks played like Minnie Pearl sings...and like Liberace swings.
Reply to this
...on second thought, Minnie Pearl sings better.
Reply to this
dave are the hawks quitting already? i never expected this effort they gave tonight
Reply to this
Vito, I think everyone was baffled by this collective lack of 'compete'...which seemed to take over in the second period.
Troy Murray's comments, on his WIND radio cast, were scathing.
Anyway, who knows what goes on in the minds of hockey players.
Reply to this
The ice was also god awful.
Reply to this
It's going to be worse on Thursday after Bon Jovi skates on it tonight.
Reply to this
It's plain and simple. The star players have to step up and win this series. Hossa. Toews. Keith. I'm talking about you.
What's with all the line juggling? Smacks of desperation.
Only on Hockeenight can you get a Minnie Pearl and Liberace reference.
Reply to this
You guys need to stop playing puck possession hockey for a period or two and go to the dump and chase. It's the only thing that works against a bullshit trap style defense. If Q is bullheaded and stays with a puck possession game, you guys might be in trouble. Good luck tonight bubba is a bitch.
Reply to this
Is this the same ZetterbergJesus who had no goals and no assists and was a minus 2 in the Red Wings loss to Nashville at Joe Louis Arena on April 3, 2010?
HockeeNight never fails to attract the best celebrity guests.
Reply to this
or maybe the one who assisted on the game winning OT goal keeping little brother in the #2 spot. ;P
Reply to this
Thank goodness we've cleared that up. For a minute there, we thought you were just another Red Wings troll pretending to be Hank.
Allting går igen.
Reply to this
now that was funny. GL tonight guys. Hopefully no douche canoe. Don't let Bubba get to cocky, slap those bitches down. Dump and chase, dump and chase.
Reply to this
Hank, thanks so much for dropping by. It's a thrill to have one of the world's best hockey players visit this humble site.
BTW can you get your wife to share her recipe for Swedish meatballs? CT loves those.
Good luck with them thar Desert Dogs.
Reply to this
thanks. I feel like PHX are playing us similar to the way NSH does. Alot of trapping (causing problems with puck possession) and great net minding. Kinda the worst teams for both of us to play against. Makes you wanna bang your head against the wall sometimes.
Reply to this
Hey ZJ, we need to get our shit straight so we can get back to the business of putting the kids to bed and meet up in the WCF.
Tell the 19 sorry I haven't been around lately.
Reply to this
sup Fork, I almost NEED to see a CHI-DET rematch that would be too fun. I might have to take down my Video Adventure Wings shrine for a week or so as to not start any fights ;P
Reply to this