Are We Hot Yet?

Posted 10:03 AM ET | Comments 8

Oh Yes! After losing six games in a row the Predators have stormed back in dramatic fashion. The Preds have won seven out of their last nine with only one regulation loss in that stretch. The boys have turned a corner and have surprised allot of teams including the Blue Jackets whose coach, Ken Hitchcock, thought that the Preds were done for the year when they were struggling.

"I told my team in training camp that the top three teams in this division (the central) have a chance to make the playoffs...we didn't think Nashville would be one of them but their coach has them playing again," said a jovial Hitchcock in a pregame interview with Preds color analsyt Terry Crisp.

Hitch is right...Trotz has got the boys playing well again. I'll admit I was ready to see him go earlier this year when the team didn't seem to be playing well or responding to his game plans but he has turned it around and they are playing some inspired hockey.

Some 'Inspired' Highlights From Last Night:

Erat's goal when he just used his speed, protected the puck and came in and beat Leclaire was a thing a beauty. I had to rewind that one and watch it a few times. Erats gets a second mention for really looking for JP on his empty net goal to try and get him his hat trick. You could almost see him apologetic after the goal. Nice to see that the guys really care about those things for each other.

Jed Ortmeyer is an animal. When we signed him during the summer, Rangers fans were saying how much we would like his style. They are right. He plays all out every shift. With ten minutes to go last night a Blue Jacket was coming through the nuetral zone near the red and Jed slid (head first!) towards the player to stop his progress. It resulted in a turnover. Here's a guy out of position and the only way he can make a play it to sacrifice himself...and he does it!

Chris Mason...What can I say? How could I ever have doubted you (actually he was stinking it up pretty bad earlier this year)? You have turned your game around and have put this team on your shoulders. Tomas who?

For Video Highlights Visit: http://predjoe.wordpress.com/

Filed Under: predators blue jackets jed ortmeyer martin erat predjoe

Torque

November 13, 2007 10:07 AM ET | Delete
Wasn't Leclaire in net last night?

im4preds

November 13, 2007 10:11 AM ET | Delete
All in all one of the Preds best games in a long time. Glad to see the top line step up after being challenged by Trotzy following Saturday night's game. LIke Brandon said a couple of weeks ago, I really like this BOS line too.WTG Scotty Nichol for standing up for your mates!

jmayes75

November 13, 2007 10:53 AM ET | Delete
Yes LeClaire was in net last night. This is team that is finally learning that they are not a fancy team but a lunch bucket team. When this Preds team gets all 5 guys back on defense they are tough to beat. The one goal Columbus did score last night was on a defensive give away by Hamhuis. An uncharacteristic move on his part but none the less it happens. Seems like every time we do that the opposing team scores a goal. Mason is looking like a stud again and everyone else is learning what their roll is and as Crispy would say the dancers are dancing and the players are playing. I know it is early in the season but don't look now the Preds are 6th in the Western Conference and they have done that by hard work, determination and playing as a team against some playoff caliber teams. There is not one star on this team. This is a team of stars! These next two weeks will be huge since most of the games are against Central Division teams. Oh and if you haven't look recently the Central Division is tearing it up in the Western Conference! Yet another reason to be excited about what this Preds team has done in the last month and a half! GO PREDS!!

blueline

November 13, 2007 11:08 AM ET | Delete
Here's to keeping the momentum moving forward when we play the Hawks Thursday night. Just one game at a time guys with no let up in hard work and commitment.

predjoe

November 13, 2007 11:18 AM ET | Delete
I loved the fact that they played 60 solid minutes last night. I didn't see stretches where they let up. Everyone was playing hard every shift.

OneTimer

November 13, 2007 12:59 PM ET | Delete
I love Jed. Goes all out every shift. Doesn't show up on the score sheet, but he is a good one.

arwilson529

November 13, 2007 2:58 PM ET | Delete
There was definitely some amazing effort put forth by the Preds, and I definitely don't think that Columbus slacked off in that one either. Hey, I thought someone once upon a time said this team had no talent? lol

TDOG

November 13, 2007 9:20 PM ET | Delete
Good post, PJ. It's all good when we are winning. I ignored the complaints against Trotz. He was voted Coach of the Year by his peer last year. Lets keep the attendance going up, starting Thursday. The team stays here!

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