Preds Legwand and Ward, stepping up when it counts most

The Nashville Predators have been looking for a playoff hero during the Western Conference semi-finals. Goaltender Pekka Rinne has been incredible, keeping the Predators in close one-goal games. But scoring goals against Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo has not been easy.

Mike Fisher, Shea Weber, Jerred Smithson and Jordin Tootoo–heroes in the series against Anaheim–have been all but kept off the scoresheet. Fisher recorded his first point in the series on Saturday night when he set up Joel Ward’s snap shot early in the third period to give the Predators a 3-2 lead.

Predators forwards, and linemates,  Ward and David Legwand rose to the challenge Saturday night in Vancouver, each scoring two goals for Nashville.

“Our backs are still against the wall. We have to come home and play hard and get another win at home. You have to fight your way out. We were in a crunch for the last 20-30 games. Hopefully we will be ready to go,” Legwand said about the Game 5 victory and being prepared for Game 6 on Monday.

Predators make history with first ever playoff series win, down Anaheim 4-2

A year ago to the day, the Nashville Predators had the lead in a pivotal game 5 Western Conference Quarter Final against Chicago with under a minute to play.  Nashville went on the power play, but then surrendered a shorthanded goal, tying the game. As all Predators fans remember so well, Nashville went on to lose the game and the series in game six at home.

Legwand’s empty-net goal was insurance for Nashville, who defeated the Ducks 4-2

 

Sunday night, history was made, but not repeated when the Predators went into the final minute of game 6 against the Ducks with a one-goal lead, and on the power play.

Instead of giving up a goal, David Legwand scored in the empty net.

The first ever player to be drafted by the Nashville Predators added the insurance giving the Predators the two-goal lead with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.

“It’s a huge thing for us to move on and get to continue playing. It means a bit. We get to play in round two. There are only going to be 8 teams playing, so that’s exciting for us to get a chance to do,” Legwand said when asked what it meant for him personally to be moving on to the next round.

Contribution through lineup key to Predators recent success

The Nashville Predators put their six-game winning streak on the line tonight when they host Vancouver at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville’s recent success seems to fall on the number three, three goals for the Predators. Nashville’s 4-2 win against Dallas on Saturday was the 17th consecutive time Nashville won when scoring three or more goals. The Predator’s season record for scoring three or more goals in a game is 38-4-1.

While the numbers are pretty clear, Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz says contributions from all four lines have been key. “I give a lot of credit right through out lineup,” Trotz said, adding “Go back through the six games — every line has contributed over this stretch.”

Forward Jordin Tootoo agrees, “We got dynamic players in this dressing room that can  change the pace of the game and can change things around. We count on each other to get the job done, night in and night out.”

Hart consideration for Predators Rinne? Some teammates think so.

When the Nashville Predators visited San Jose on March 8th, Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan said “I hear there is consideration of Rinne for the Hart. I wouldn’t argue that.”

The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player who is considered to be the most valuable to his team.

In the New York Times“Morning Skate” on March 21, Christopher Botta wrote “Pekka Rinne deserves consideration to be the third man when the finalists are announced. The Nashville goaltender is as valuable to the Predators as any player — forward, defenseman or goalie — is to his team.” Steven Stamkos and Daniel Sedin are considered the favorites.

Predators veteran forwards silence critics with solid play

As the Nashville Predators enter tonight’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings, two veteran are leading the way offensively for the club. In fact, no other Nashville forwards have been more productive since the middle of January than David Legwand and Martin Erat.

David Legwand (Getty Images)

The offense provided by Legwand and Erat has been fairly consistent over the past month and a half and has been a big help for Predators goaltender, Pekka Rinne. Nashville is nearly unbeatable when they post three or more goals in a game, with a 33-4-1 record. “That’s great,” Rinne said of the recent play of Erat and Legwand, ”Obviously, this time of year it is so important so it is great to see those couple of big guys playing so well. We need that at the moment. Hopefully they can keep it going.”

Legwand, was the first ever draft pick of the Nashville Predators, chosen second overall in 1998. Erat was the 191^st pick of the Predators in the 1999 Entry Draft. The two forwards are the longest tenured members of Predators and are tops in nearly every offensive statistical category for the Predators. Legwand, for instance, holds the record for most points, goals, assists, games played, game-winning-goals, overtime points, multi-point games and multi-goal games.

Vokoun on friends, playing in Nashville and player development

 

After eight years with the Predators, Tomas Vokoun holds all the records for goaltending in Nashville. Vokoun is the leader for single-season record for wins (36), wins (161), losses (159), goaltender appearances (383), shutouts (21), and record for saves (9,657). Vokoun remains a fan favorite in Nashville. His name is cheered when announced he will start in goal for the visiting team, an announcement usually met with jeers throughout the crowd at Bridgestone Arena.

The Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic native returned to Nashville over the weekend when the Florida Panthers put their three-game winning streak on the line against the Predators. Vokoun was coming off a 3-0 shutout of the Capitals, a team that has lost three in a row and is 4-5-1 in its last 10 games. A shutout against a team with Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and Nikolas Backstrom up front with Mike Green on the blue line is no easy feat and is a good momentum builder. “Yeah I felt pretty good beating Washington. They are a good team. On the road it was a great game for us,” Vokoun said.

New role for Tootoo leads to more confidence, patience on ice

This year marks Jordin Tootoo’s 7th campaign in the National Hockey League. At the start of the season, Tootoo was on the Predators’ fourth line, used as an agitator, the spark of the energy line. Tootoo played 9:18 in the home opener against the Anaheim Ducks, 10:59 against Chicago on the road and then 8:32 against the Blues back home in Nashville.

Tootoo has stepped up the offense this season with 4 points in 10 games. (Photo: Yardbarker.com)

During the fourth game of the season, Marcel Goc got injured against the Washington Capitals. Goc suffered a separated shoulder on a hit by Niklas Backstrom. With Goc out, the lines had to be reshuffled, especially with other injuries at the position of forward plaguing Nashville. Center Matthew Lombardi has been out since after the Chicago game and Martin Erat was just returning to action after missing a couple games with back spasms.