Playoff Preview?

Posted 1:04 PM ET | Comments 8

When the Dallas Stars come calling tonight to Nashville it could very well be a preview of a potential first round match up. If the playoffs started today the Predators, as the number seven seed, would find themselves playing the number two Stars. What a series that would be.

While I don't like the idea of going against a world class goalie like Turco for seven games the 2007-2008 Predators seem to match up well against these Stars. Leading the season series 2-0 (a 5-1 win at home in early October and a 1-0 shutout in Dallas on New Years Eve) the Preds, at least so far, seem to have shaken the bug that has been Dallas for so many years.

Tonight a red hot Dallas (8-2 over their last ten) comes in to face a Preds team that has found points in eight of their last ten games. Both of these teams are playing well and have taken their games up since the beginning of the year.

Things To Look For: The Sommet should be sold out tonight so it should be rocking. It is vital for the Preds to get on top early. We are one of the best first period teams and we'll need that tonight. I expect Ellis to be in goal tonight. Not only is it his turn but he proved that he likes to play against Dallas posting that 1-0 win in Dallas in December. With Gelinas out with an ACL injury Jed Ortmeyer will get the start. I love Jed's game and truly don't get why he has been a healthy scratch so many times this year. This should be a good one...game is on FSN tonight so if you don't have a ticket tune in and watch ol' Eklund with Pete and Terry as well.

Filed Under: predators predjoe stars ellis eklund trade playoff pre

Pred26

February 23, 2008 1:51 PM ET | Delete
With Ellis in net I believe this raises an interesting question, if we do face Dallas in the 1st round which goalie gets the nod? I say Mason should, it would be a slap in the face to be the number one goalie and not get the start in the playoffs. Speaking of Mason, do you guys believe he has faced the more skilled teams this year vs Ellis?? Just asking for an opinion.....Nice blog Predjoe, I've been reading your stuff for over a year now, keep it up.

blueline

February 23, 2008 4:06 PM ET | Delete
I'm looking forward to tonight. Definitely agree that we need to bolt out of the gate and score first. Regarding P26's question of skilled teams faced by Mason and Ellis, it would be a highly subjective debate defining which teams were more skilled. One way would be to compare the records to date of teams each has faced, but that's still somewhat arbitrary and fairly inconclusive, not to mention time consuming to compile. The shots against per game are almost identical at 26.04 for Dan vs 26.19 for Chris.

crosscheck

February 23, 2008 4:10 PM ET | Delete
The Preds are on pace for the 8th seed at current pace, the need help.

Pred26

February 23, 2008 5:04 PM ET | Delete
Blueline, thanks for the response, I was just curious it seems like Mason gets stuck in net when we face a hot team. Of course I'm a big Mason supporter and I'm probably a bit bias.As long as NSH gets into the playoffs I would gladly and whole heartedly face Det 1st round........

Texhorns02

February 23, 2008 7:21 PM ET | Delete
One thing to keep an eye on tonight: watch how Steve Ott plays. If he can get in early to establish a physical game Nashville could be in trouble. Id like to see this playoff matchup. Nashville has some good young D, and Id be interested to see what Trotz can throw at Dallas to 1. stop Dallas' PP and 2. penetrate Dallas' PK.

duxcup07

February 23, 2008 7:23 PM ET | Delete
Go get em Preds! The Ducks can't seem to beat the Stars this year, we need all the help we can get!!!

famousjon

February 23, 2008 11:59 PM ET | Delete
Well, Tex, Nashville played well during the first half of the game when it was a physical game, but when they lost Jed, dropping us down to 10 forwards, they couldn't overcome a couple flukey goals. It certainly didn't take much to stop Dallas's PP, and we didn't seem to have much trouble penetrating their PK. Modano was pretty much invisible all game. Ribeiro had a great game.

Texhorns02

February 24, 2008 12:10 AM ET | Delete
A couple things about the Dallas PK. Jeff Halpern and Stu Barnes were both out which doesnt help the PK, but for whatever reason the Dallas PK wasn't attacking like it usually does. They usually attack up ice to pressure the opposing PP. The powerplay was awful. I don't know what was up with that. They couldn't get set up in the zone to save their lives. Modano doesn't do much these days. Dallas wasn't overly physical tonight like they usually are. Ott wasn't particularly good like he usually is, but he did draw one penalty off of Erat on the forecheck. Basically, that was the most boring 6-3 game I've ever seen.

You must be logged in to leave a comment.