A White Knuckled Win

Posted 9:20 AM ET | Comments 6

You know when you ride that really scary roller coaster and you thought you had a great time...that is until you get off and realize that you were clinching your fists so tight the whole time that you cut off circulation. That's how last nights game against Detroit felt to me...a bit too much of the white knuckles.

The Start We Needed: Wow! I don't think anyone saw that start coming. I did think, prior to the game, that Osgood had been off his game of late and that might be a good think. I was even thinking that they might give him the night off (in hindsight I'm sure the coaching staff is thinking that they should have). Three unanswered goals in the first nine minutes proved to be all that the Preds would need as they would hang on to win 4-2.

While some in the Pred Nation might be jumping up and down for joy this morning I would urge cautious optimism. If it were not for a stellar performance from Chris Mason, who turned away 40 of Detroit's 42 shots, we would be singing a different tune today. Mason played an unbelievable game and saved the bacon many times last night. I heard a 'die hard Pred fan' call in this morning on 560 AM and ask if Tomas Vokoun were to come available would the Preds try to get him back. This guy, who claimed to be a season ticket holder, must of fell asleep during last nights game...heck even the last month...because Mason is about as good as they come in net right now. That was idiotic.

Can I just say how bad we played for the first ten minutes of the second period. Yes...I give Detroit credit for coming out and taking control of the game but the fact is we were asleep at the wheel and were fortunate to not give up more than we did. That was pathetic hockey. We ended up showing some life in the second but not until the medics had to get the freakin paddles!

Other Random Observations: Radulov is becoming a better player each and every day...I hope we can watch him for many more years. Pretty goal by Erat and Peverley as Osgood had no clue what they were going to do. The Preds have got to lock up Shea Weber...he's a man-beast! Was it me or did it seem that the refs made some really ticky-tack calls last night.

Filed Under: predjoe red wings radulov mason vokoun erat peverly

OneTimer

February 13, 2008 11:25 AM ET | Delete
A night to remember. Mase was great.

arwilson529

February 13, 2008 1:33 PM ET | Delete
Radulov has arrived. Last night when Shea Weber went deep into the offensive zone I saw Radulov move to take Shea's place. I was very impressed with the kid when he did that. With his style of play one wouldn't expect that kind of responsible behavior.The second period continues to be our worst. We get cocky and relaxed. Fortunately it didn't bite us in the butt last night like it could have - like it DID in the Phoenix game. That has to be addressed before spring rolls around.

Pred26

February 13, 2008 1:37 PM ET | Delete
Mason was incredible, although he did let one go by that I though he should have gotten. If there is any criticism to be handed out, it should be the team' lack of play in the second period. I was having flash back of the Phoenix debacle of blowing a 3pt lead. Either way, Mason is the man, we got two points out of it and we can brag about beating Det for another day at least.

predjoe

February 13, 2008 2:02 PM ET | Delete
arwilson529 - I saw Radulov make that adjustment on the fly as well. That is a sign of a very mature player. I love when our D jumps up like Shea did...as long as all five buy into the system and cover each other that can be a great thing.

blueline

February 13, 2008 3:29 PM ET | Delete
I also made a mental note of the Weber/Rad "switch" - how satisfying that was, watching Shea take charge down low as though he knew his butt would be covered. Great job guys. It was impressive.

blueline

February 13, 2008 3:36 PM ET | Delete
I personally don't want PK back here for many (valid) reasons, most already expressed by others on HB, and while I have much respect and appreciation for Vokoun, bringing him back would not be wise imo. (And it's not going to happen, anyway, in either case - PK or Tomas.) We have a lot to sort through and decide with the netminders we have now, including those signed and playing in development leagues.

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