Preds Rolling

Posted 9:45 AM ET | Comments 5

Wins in six out of their last eight games.

Points in seven of their last eight.

Yes it is time to recognize that the Predators are back. Last nights 4-3 shootout win is proof of that. Sure the Preds gave up a two goal lead but they were able to come away with two points. Following the game their was frustration in the locker room over the fact that they let the Blue Jackets back in the game. The Preds have turned a corner and right now I owe it to one player...Dan Ellis.

Ellis came in when Mason was stinking up the place and gave us four wins in four starts and two shutouts. He proved to this team that we can win and showed Mason that he better get out of his funk or he would be riding the bench as number two again. Since that time Mason has come out of his funk and played good and now seems to be playing great.

Things I liked about last night:

2-9 on the power play...nice to see that it's working again. Would like to see them shoot a bit more (take a page from Detroit's book. Shoot it often and from any angle!)

Tootoo getting on the score sheet for more than a fighting major. Toots got a goal in Chicago (tow games ago) and one here last night. The coaching staff wants to see Tootoo more involved in scoring and it appears that he may be giving them what they want. Seriously...if he can score 20 goals he becomes a dangerous weapon.

Mason looking like Mason. I know I mentioned it before but Mason looked great last night and with a little help from the post got the shootout win. Nice to see him rebound in the shootout like that.

What I didn't like was the amount of shots that the Preds gave up last night and continue to each night. This is something I harped on all last season (and during our first two games this year) and it's happening again this year. We cannot continue to be out shot by large margins and expect to win in this league. The shooters are too good and the other goalies are too. Something has to give here.

Looking forward to tomorrow night in Columbus for the back side of this home and home.

Filed Under: predators predjoe blue jackets dan ellis chirs mason tootoo

blueline

November 11, 2007 10:22 AM ET | Delete
First period was well-played by Preds in all aspects - a very solid period. Second period we became somewhat sloppy and the team was inattentive while the Jackets came alive - they looked very good. We played a bit better at times in the third but laid back and occasionally appeared uninvolved. Chris saved our butts, plus there was timely team effort from most of the guys when absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, CBJ was on fire and looked great. They were tough, and no matter how poorly or great we might have played, they dictated a lot of the flow. We can do better, but credit to a very good CBJ team. Will be a good game Monday night.

OneTimer

November 11, 2007 3:15 PM ET | Delete
It's very obvious that Columbus is much improved. Last year's team would have not come back from 3-1 and they would have just started fighting.

blueline

November 11, 2007 4:30 PM ET | Delete
Ha! Nice last sentence OneTimer. (that phase isn't over yet - many feel that tomorrow night will be interesting in that respect.)

Section106

November 12, 2007 12:30 AM ET | Delete
Do you think Trotz will inject Hordichuck in to the line up for protection purposes? Shelley wasn't offered a dance partner the other night and he rode the bench. In my view Nichol and Tootoo bring more to the Table and Hordy should sit out again. However, I would not be surprised to see Klein in for Koistinen.

blueline

November 12, 2007 2:12 AM ET | Delete
Not sure what the deal was with Shelley. He only played two or so minutes at start of game, took the penalty and that was it. I do know that he was itching to go at it with someone (Tootoo specifically). I was near as he skated into the box and he was definitely irritated. Maybe got benched because Hitchcock knew he was not going to be able to control himself - just a wild guess on my part. You might be right on Klein. Might be silly, but I'd like to see both him and Koistinen in a game together before Shea returns.

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