Knowing that the playoff push has started in earnest for them the Predators posted an impressive 4-0 road win over a team that they are chasing in the standings. Resembling the M.A.S.H 4077th more than the team that started the year the Predators played inspired hockey in their victory over the Av's.
While Chris Mason's recent play (4-1-1, 1.32, .948 in last 5 GPI) has diminished talk of a goalie controversy here in Nashville it was back up
Dan Ellis (1-0-1, 0.96, .971 in last 2 GPI) who
shined once again posting a shutout while stopping 39 shots. Nashville has been waiting all year for both goalies to be firing on all cylinders and both seemed to have hit their stride leading the Preds to a 6-2-2 record in their last ten and three wins in a row.
JP Dumont continues to play for a big contract next year as he extended his point streak with a gorgeous assist on Alexander Radulov's third period goal. While JP might still prove to be trade bait were the Preds not be able to continue their run towards the post season he is playing arguably the best hockey of his career right now. Pred's Captain Jason Arnott was vocal in the paper recently saying how much he wants the Preds to resign the UFA siting the great chemistry he has with the top line winger.
Martin Erat came back to life last night tallying two scores. I have been wondering where Erat's game had gone recently. I thought he had appeared lost and wondered if his recent line assignments had made his game suffer. Erat, to me, always seems to play to the level of his line. Put him on the top line and he is creative as they come. Put him on the third line and he appears lost not knowing his role. Great to see him get back on the score sheet in impressive fashion last night.
A Couple Personal Notes: Some have been wondering what had happened to my blogs. I have a loyal readership both at Hockeybuzz.com and at
www.predjoe.wordpress.com and I apologize for not writing lately. A week out of town for a wedding and then playing catch up at work and home has kept me away from the keyboard. I'm back.
I make my living in the radio business and our profession is a small world. One of our own, Rick Burgess (of the syndicated morning show Rick and Bubba), suffered a horrible tragedy this past weekend when his two year old son Bronner drown in their backyard pool. I listened this morning to their show and they played comments from Rick at the memorial service yesterday...it was the most compelling radio I have ever heard. Rick was, in this time of great pain and suffering, giving glory to God and calling believers to go out and be warriors for God. It was amazing. I am not sure if they will post an MP3 of this or not but you can check their web site
http://www.rickandbubba.com/ if you are interested. Please pray for continued strength for the family.
Glad to have ya back, Joe. I've been wondering where you've been.
Thanks man...it feels good to be back!
If we are M*A*S*H 4077, which one is Frank Burns? I say Legwand. Because he constantly gets picked on and gets no respect. However, Frank was just an average surgeon, but he did have one house and two cars, or was that two houses and one car. /MASH fan
Wow one timer...looks like someone watches late night reruns of MASH! The real question is which Pred would be Klinger?!
Klinger? I'd go with Nichol. Kinda weird, kinda fiesty, but always dependable . . . until he goes AWOL. Ha.
Glad to see you back sir... was wonderin' where you were...
Thanks Paul...life got whiggity whack there for a while. Should be back in the saddle now. Just as things are getting spicy.
I'm late to the message posts, but will add my 2 cents: Welcome back. Hope you had a good vacation.
Joe, i just witnessed one of the most moving things i have ever experienced. I too am a fan of Rick and Bubba. Rick's message at his son's memorial service is undescribable. For all you folks that faithfully read Joe, take his advice and follow the link. It will be well worth your time. Welcome back Joe.