Nashville’s historic season ends, Canucks move on to Western Conference finals

Nashville lost another one-goal game as the Vancouver Canucks edged the Predators 2-1 to win the Western Conference semi final series in six games. Every game in the series was decided by a single goal, with the exception of Game 4 when Henrik Sedin scored an empty net tally to give the Canucks a two-goal cushion.

“Before we start,” Head Coach Barry Trotz said as he sat down for his post game press conference, “I just want to congratulate the Vancouver Canucks. I thought they played a great series and obviously the coaching staff did a great job.”

The Predators came out Monday night and dominated the first period of play in shots, outshooting the Canucks 11-7, but at the end of 20 minutes trailed 2-0.

“We played well.” Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said about Nashville’s  first period. “I think they only had a couple chances in the first period. They executed both of those. Those were playoff goals — lucky bounces and they put it in the back of the net.”

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.

Rinne nominated for Vezina Trophy

On a day that sees the Nashville Predators play their most important game in franchise history,  Pekka Rinne, has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy, the award given to the goaltender judged to be the best in the National Hockey League.

Rinne has been nominated for the Vezina Award

Rinne’s regular season statistics were undeniable. Having played in 64 games, the Finnish netminder ended the season with a 2.12 GAA, good for third in the League behind the other two Vezina nominees, Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks. His .930 save percentage was second in the League to Thomas.

Thomas is the favorite to win the Award. A Vezina winner in 2009, Thomas lost his starting position last season to Tuukka Rask but regained it this year on his way to leading the League in both goals against and save percentage.

Luongo also put up good numbers, leading his team to the President’s Trophy.  His 2.11 GAA that was second only to Thomas and he finished fourth in the League with a .928 save percentage.

Predators expectations never higher: Playoffs start Wednesday for Nashville

The Nashville Predators will open their Western Conference Quarter-finals against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, April 13th at Honda Center.

To beat the Ducks, the Preds need to stop Perry

In a battle of offense versus defense, the Predators big guns will look to stop some of the NHL’s most talented forwards in order to move on to the second round of the playoffs. Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and goaltender Pekka Rinne will have to contend with Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan, as well as Mikku Koivu and Teemu Selanne.

Predators Head Coach, Barry Trotz, says that one thought comes to mind when you think of the Ducks. “When you think about Anaheim, you think about the big line, that’s where it starts and ends,” Trotz said, adding, “Out of the players who have come through in the last couple of months, [Perry] has been as good as anybody. He’d be my MVP vote for the West.”

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.

Weber takes franchise record with OT winner against Bruins

Shea Weber’s overtime goal lifted the Nashville Predators over the Boston Bruins by a 4-3 score on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena. The goal, Weber’s 16th of the season, also lifted Nashville’s Captain to 80 career goals, the franchise record for goals by a defenseman. Kimmo Timonen, now a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, previously held the record with 79 goals.

Weber celebrates after scoring in overtime (AP)

“I didn’t even know that,” Weber said when he was asked about the record, “It’s pretty neat. It’s obviously a huge honor, there have been so many good defensemen on this team. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”

The game was a see-saw battle between two gritty teams. Boston opened the scoring at just 1:50 into the first period when Tyler Seguin notched his 11th goal of the season. Former Predator Rich Peverley and Tomas Kaberle picked up the assists.

Despite stellar statistics, losses are personal for Rinne

Goaltender Pekka Rinne is a fan favorite among the Predators faithful. The Finnish native has quite literally stolen games, and therefore valuable points, away from opponents. For a team that doesn’t score a lot of goals, it is a lot of pressure to be near perfect every night.

Losing is personal for Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (Photo: Yardbarker.com)

Yet, Rinne doesn’t see the team’s lack of offense as adding any additional pressure on his game. “Not on my shoulders,” he said when asked about feeling the pressure. “I think last year was the same thing. We kind of went through stretches where we would score a lot of goals and then we’d go through a few games where we don’t really score goals. That’s how it seems to go right now.”

Visiting Rangers give credit to Predators work ethic, Rinne

Ever wonder what the visiting team thinks of the Nashville Predators?

What better team to ask than the New York Rangers? The Rangers are a storied franchise, a member of the NHL’s Original Six. They play at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. They are coached by the Stanley Cup winning John Tortorella and their General Manager is the legendary Glenn Sather of the 1980’s Edmonton Oilers fame.

So when the Rangers visit the Bridgestone Arena once every second season, the history and excitement surrounding New York is enough to make the game a good one to attend. Saturday night, however, a sold out Smashville crowd went home disappointed as the Predators outplayed the Rangers for most of the night but left with only one point in a shootout loss.

Predators injury troubles give opportunity to others to step up

First it was Pekka Rinne who had to leave the third period of Nashville’s season opener. Marty Erat was next, out with back spasms and placed on injured reserve. Matthew Lombardi then suffered a concussion against Chicago last Wednesday. And during Saturday’s OT loss to the Washington Capitals, the Predators lost Marcel Goc to a nasty hit from behind by Niklas Backstrom. Goc is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks.

Marcel Goc is the latest Predator to be injured this season (Photo: Yardbarker.com)

These are not minor losses for the Predators. Rinne is Nashville’s starting goaltender. Erat and Lombardi are two thirds of the Predators’ top line. And Goc is a defensive forward with an offensive upswing with two goals in four games. While injuries can prove to be devastating for a team, they also provide an opportunity for other, less prominent players to step up their game or, in some cases, to just get in it.