DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN: Predators 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO)
Where have we seen this before?The Hawks blew a 2-goal lead in the third period, ending Corey Crawford's scoreless streak at 177 minutes, then lost the bake-off to lose a 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators tonight in Bridgestone Arena.
Last time the Hawks visited Bridgestone, they blew another lead before losing the shootout.
The loss means the Preds stay ahead of the Hawks in the Central Division standings, for those who want to wring their hands over that sort of thing in January.
Let's get to this:
THE GOOD:
Corey Crawford. Sure, he fell into his net on Marcel Goc's shootout goal, but he stood tall when the Hawks were playing fairly sloppy in their own end. It finally got to the point where he gave up a couple goals in the third period when the Preds were swarming his net.
Nick Leddy. His play wasn't terribly great, but his presence in the Hawks' lineup means he now has 10 games this season, so he's here to stay. In the long term, maybe he would have benefitted from more time in Rockford, but the short term benefit is that Nick Boynton and John Scott stay in the press box.
Viktor Stalberg. Finally scored a goal. Took the body with some authority. Tonight was his best game in weeks.
THE BAD:
Jonathan Toews. a brutal night in the faceoff circle, and his shootout attempt lacked the usual zip. Whether he's tired, a little banged up, whatever...the fact is that we've been missing the Captain the past couple games.
Patrick Kane. Again he turned the puck over at the blue line leading to a breakaway. Only Patrick Sharp bailed him out.
THE UGLY:
Barry Trotz. He singlehandedly prevents Bruce Boudreau from being the most hideous blob standing behind an NHL bench.
These two teams strap it on agaon tomorrow night in the United Center. See you in the shoutbox.
Posted by Forklift at 1/15/2011 10:37 PM 
Categories: Game Recap
Tags: Nick Leddy Viktor Stalberg Corey Crawford
Categories: Game Recap
Tags: Nick Leddy Viktor Stalberg Corey Crawford
Can't get too busted up over a point and an S/O loss in NSH.
Given Toews isn't snapping the puck with his usual authority and accuracy, that shoulder is probably in bad shape though.
I'd say was that the Hawks managed to out Pred the Preds for 2/3rds of the game and get the tie.
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Wait a cotton pickin minute...ties went out with wood sticks and tube skates.
Not to be confused with tube steaks.
Preds' color man and 3-time Cup winner (2x as a player, 1x as a coach) Terry Crisp is possibly the jolliest and most irreverent hockey analyst around. And he made some very good points all game long.
One was that the Hawks were efficient vs the gNashers (a) because they won the battles on the boards and (b) gave the Trotzinators no room to skate, which is basically Preds hockey.
But The Neck reached into his toolbox between the 2nd and 3rd and pulled out a device which he promised to apply to the sensitive areas of any players who failed to come out with jump in the final frame, given this was a sellout crowd in the Music City and there was no way Jose they could let the home side down.
Just for emphasis, The Neck applied said device, albeit momentarily, to Martin Erat's yarbles. What Czech expletives Erat uttered, is not known.
The above tactic sometimes works with pro athletes, and this was the case tonight.
PS who can stop a Shea Weber shot from the point?
Now tomorrow...well, that's a different story.
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