A few thoughts on the game:
… Dominik Hasek had more than a few moments of brilliance last night, but they didn’t completely make up for the bad taste left in my mouth after the Predators’ first and second goals. Both game off bad deflections or bounces, but both could have been avoided through better positioning. On the first, the play was well covered by Kronwall and Lidstrom. Dom just needed to make the save. On the second, it was a broken play, but if he had covered the post better, he would have stopped the shot.
At a number of other points in the game, Hasek looked great. But those two goals are something of a concern.
… I’m still not sure how Dan Ellis missed Niklas Kronwall’s shot on the Wings’ first, and based on the fact that he looked down at his glove in disbelief, I don’t think he knows how he missed it either.
… I think Chris Chelios was the last player on the ice to know his shot went in the net on the Wings’ second. Pulling Ellis at that point was an odd move.
… It was good to see Brian Rafalski make Dan Hamhuis pay for his bone-headed up-the-gut clear for the Wings’ third.
… The second period ended with the Predators really looking like little children, eh? How Mason avoided an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for shooting the puck at Hasek, I don’t know. At least they gave that classless piece of donkey refuse Dan Hamhuis two minutes for his big man attack on Henrik Zetterberg.
… The first five minutes of the third period made me sad. That is all.
… Johan Franzen, where did that come from? Please do that again and again in the playoffs.
… Henrik Zetterberg’s pass to Pavel Datsyuk to set up the breakaway that led to the Wings’ 5th goal was a thing of beauty. Datstyuk breakaways don’t happen often enough.
… Poor Kirk Maltby couldn’t hit the empty net from 20 feet out, but got to see Datsyuk do it from halfway between the red line and the blueline. Kirk was shaking his head all the way to the bench.
… All in all, I think that game will be good for the Wings. They gave up a lead, but found a way to pull away again despite the determination of a fast and physical opponent. Hasek was able to improve his game as the night went on and hopefully regained confidence after being pulled Sunday. Here’s hoping they can carry on through with a win over Columbus on Saturday.
The win effectively ended the Predators’ playoff hopes, though they aren’t mathematically eliminated yet. The Wings, on the other hand, pulled two points further ahead of the San Jose Sharks, though the latter have a game in hand.
Man, this game had the feel of playoff hockey. I know the Pred’s were playing for their playoff lives which definatly gave it that feel of desperation that the playoffs have. Still the Wings who I believe give up on their puck control game plan when teams play desperate were really in control and composed (except for the beginning of the 3rd) which was amazing to see.
Aditionally for being a ‘dying’ market in Nashville - you have to give props to the fans who show up for the games. I love how the fans have coordinated chants and cheers that you hear at every game. I wish the Joe could get like that. Makes it feel like a World Cup game.
I agree Greg. It was just a few short years ago when the rivalry that we had with Colorado seemed to magically transfer to Nashville. Those games were magic!!! I was excited at the energy as it seemed a throwback to 3 years ago.
I secretly wish the Preds would run the table and do something special.
Of ALL the teams in the NHL, I feel strongly about their ability as a fan based market, their hunger for a Cup, and their potential do something…sometime. Unfortunately, they have been that way for many years in a row without capitalizing, which destroys corporate backing, and destroys viability.
Any true hockey fan has to look at the Pred situation and be a little sad.
Wings need a new rivalry…besides just Chris Pronger, I need another
TEAM to make the bile tickle the back of my throat!
I was wondering if Datsyuk deliberately hit the same post as Maltby did but hit the inside to get the goal instead of the outside - just to show his teammate how a proper goal-scorer works.
Greg,
I agree, the game had something of a playoff hockey feel.
As for the crowd, I was impressed by the noise level and their coordination, but less so with their timing. They cheered and booed some pretty mundane things. I also didn’t like how they made at least two calls in favor of the Preds. The officials should have been less influenced by the loud collective gasps of the Nashville fans in response to wild self-inflicted whiplash by a couple Predators.
Scott,
I wouldn’t mind a Nashville first round, but it doesn’t seem likely now.
As for the Preds’ situation, I’d feel more sympathy if they lost the expansion team entitlement mentality they’ve had for their whole history.
Baroque,
I noticed Pavel hit the inside of that post, too. I like your explanation. It’d certainly fit with his reputation as a jokester.
I find it hilarious when “fans” try to explain how goals should’ve been stopped or how a shot should’ve been played. Hasek, one of the best goaltenders ever making goaltending decisions and some fan thinks he knows a better way based on his limited knowledge and vantage. Give me a break, even if the goaltender does every single thing perfectly goals WILL be scored, it’s a fact, nitpicking on the plays that make into the net is pointless.
Cody »
First of all, don’t question my fanship.
Second, it is perfectly permissible to critique a player’s performance. That is part of true fanship. Otherwise it’s just idol worship.
Third, not once have I ever suggested that Dominik Hasek should shut out the opposition every night. I know perfectly well that goals will be scored on him or any other goalie. To think otherwise is just stupid. However, it’s just as stupid to pretend that a goaltender, however great and famous he may be, never makes a mistake. It’s also stupid to think that only an NHL goaltender is qualified to pass comment on an NHL goaltender’s performance.
I’ve been watching hockey for 12 years. I’ve seen good goals, I’ve seen bad goals. I’ve seen goaltenders made helpless by circumstances beyond their control and I’ve seen goaltenders screwed by their own mistakes. Those situations are easy to distinguish.
I can be argued into giving Hasek a pass on the first goal. The puck’s change in direction came pretty close to him and beat him as he moved side to side. Not a huge deal, but probably a save he would have made on a better night. Whatever.
The second goal, however, was a product of poor positioning. There’s no disputing that. Covering the post when the shooter is at that angle is a fundamental aspect of goaltending. Dom did not cover the post in that situation and therefore opened himself to criticism when the puck went in between him and the post. Vezina/Hart/goal medal/Cup winner or not, it was a weak goal from a technical standpoint.
You can find such criticism hilarious if that floats your boat. Just don’t expect me, or any other fan honest enough with themselves not to see the players on their team as flawless, to laugh with you.
Matt isn’t just “some fan,” Cody. I understand that the typical fan blog might have a whiny poster that gets on your nerves with the same old broken record, but stick around here awhile and you will see something special in Matt!
Besides having a wonderful sense of friendliness and passion for a game we all love, you will find his game sense second to none.
Hang around a bit, you will see.