On the Forecheck
Cup-check time in Nashville
by Forechecker on 01/08/09 at 10:19 AM ET
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It’s cup-check time for the Nashville Predators as Sidney Crosby and the Penguins come to town; in case you hadn’t noticed, the Pittsburgh phenom has engaged in some pretty odd fighting tactics lately, including sucker-punches to the cajones of Atlanta’s Boris Valabik, and a mugging of Florida’s Brett McLean.
When it comes to the actual game, however, both teams are looking to reverse recent slides. The Predators are now mired in a 5-game losing streak, while the Pens just broke their own 5-loss stretch with a win over Atlanta Tuesday night. Despite getting Ryan Whitney back into the lineup, Pittsburgh’s power play is in a serious funk, a trend that Nashville looks to build upon as the penalty kill has been one of their few brights spots as of late.
Game time is 7:00 Central at the Sommet Center, and a big crowd is expected tonight. Mrs. Forechecker and I will be in section 103, rather than our usual spot up in 310; with the big names like Crosby and Malkin in town it’s high time to get a closer view of the action!
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: sidney+crosby,
What Sundin could mean for Vancouver
by Forechecker on 01/08/09 at 07:45 AM ET
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Master hockey stats guru Alan Ryder digs into the question of how much of a difference, in practical terms, Mats Sundin could make to the Vancouver Canucks as he joins them in mid-season.
The statistics say Mats Sundin should transform the Vancouver Canucks into a Stanley Cup contender. This is a notably better team than last season’s squad, on schedule for 95 points and with reason to believe that pace can accelerate into the playoffs.
Read on for Ryder’s take which attempts to balance the various factors of the game appropriately to arrive at a net result. Remember that the Canucks are already playing better than last year’s squad which failed to make the playoffs.
Filed in: NHL Statistical Analysis | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: mats+sundin,
A little less conversation, a little more action please!
by Forechecker on 01/07/09 at 12:38 PM ET
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How does one sum up the mighty Nashville Predators offense these days? Perhaps the late John McKay, coach of the 2nd-most hapless team in NFL history, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said it best when asked about his team’s execution: “I think it’s a good idea.”
Execution (or more properly the lack thereof) was the key in last night’s awful 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, considering the fact that Nashville took 70 Total Shots to Colorado’s 38, a margin that genuinely reflects the flow of the game. The Preds buzzed around the zone and fired plenty of pucks, but fully two-thirds of them were either blocked or sent wide of the goal.
Ordinarily one might shake off such an effort, calling it an inevitable fluke along the 82-game marathon that is the NHL regular season. Given the struggles this offense has shown over the last month, however, it’s clear that fundamental problems are dogging this team, which has few options available to address them.
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: barry+trotz, mike+santorelli,
Doing it right, down on the farm
by Forechecker on 01/06/09 at 04:48 PM ET
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News comes today that three of the Nashville Predators prospects, centers Cal O’Reilly and Mike Santorelli, and defenseman Cody Franson, have been named to the 2009 AHL All Star Classic taking place later this month in Worcester, MA.
Given today’s recall of Ryan Jones to Nashville, some fans wonder if and when some of these other bright young players might get a shot at the NHL level. But today’s pre-game article at the Tennessean concludes with this note:
On Monday, Trotz said he would consider recalling two rookies, but he chose to keep the other candidate – center Mike Santorelli – on AHL level, saying he was not in need of another centerman quite yet.
Considering how the pivots are doing outside of Jason Arnott, I think it’s safe to say that many locals disagree with the coach’s assertion…
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: cal+o'reilly, cody+franson, mike+santorelli,
Ryan Jones back with Nashville
by Forechecker on 01/06/09 at 11:15 AM ET
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From the Nashville Predators:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled forward Ryan Jones from the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
This will be Jones’ third stint with the team in 2008-09. The 6-1, 206-pound rookie forward has six points (3g-3a) in 16 games with the Predators in 2008-09, playing 15 of the first 18 games this season in addition to a game Dec. 11 at Columbus. In 21 games with the Admirals, Jones has 17 points (11g-6a) and 26 penalty minutes, helping Milwaukee to a 16-4-1 record in that span.
Jones has been very productive in Milwaukee, and despite pedestrian offensive numbers early on with the Predators, there were two advanced statistics which were notable; first his Penalty Plus/Minus was an outstanding +13, which still ranks among the NHL’s best. Secondly, his Corsi number in 5-on-5 play was a team worst -19.4*, per Behind the Net.
*the Corsi number represents Total Shots For - Total Shots Against per 60 minutes of play. Total Shots = SOG + Goals + Missed + Blocked
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: ryan+jones,
What can Brown do for you?
by Forechecker on 01/05/09 at 05:14 PM ET
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Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings is starting to pull away from the field in the latest NHL Penalty Plus/Minus update, pushing his total this week to +27. Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Brown’s teammate Patrick O’Sullivan trail at +19. If you’re looking to back up that “Iginla for the Lady Byng” argument, you could point out that despite drawing 26 fouls from opposing players, Iginla has only taken 7 penalties himself, keeping his cool while taking shots from opponents. That sure sounds like “the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability”, which are the criteria for the annual award.
For the complete listing, consult the Google Spreadsheet herein…
Filed in: NHL Statistical Analysis | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: dustin+brown, jarome+iginla,
Five ways to fire up the Nashville offense
by Forechecker on 01/05/09 at 03:28 PM ET
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Egad! I head out of town for a New Year’s visit to Chicago, and by the time I get back, the Predators have sunk to 14th in the West, with the worst Goals Per Game figure (2.40) in the conference.
On the positive side, however, we actually have word today that Steve Sullivan plans to return to the lineup soon, just short of two years since his last game. Even in limited ice time, Sully should make a positive impact on the Preds offense, but I’m thinking a few more things need to be done to spark the Nashville attack…
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: antti+pihlstrom, david+legwand, jordin+tootoo, ryan+jones, steve+sullivan,
Steve Sullivan to play this weekend
by Forechecker on 01/05/09 at 01:34 PM ET
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Sound the trumpets!!! From the Tennessean:
Predators forward Steve Sullivan, sidelined since February 2007 because of back problems, said Monday he plans to play in Saturday’s game against Chicago.
More on this move, and the recent offensive struggles of the Nashville Predators will come this afternoon.
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: steve+sullivan,
One Magic Moment
by Forechecker on 12/30/08 at 07:52 PM ET
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I’m heading “off the grid” again for New Year’s (I’ll probably be the only hockey blogger traveling to Chicago NOT to cover the Winter Classic), and while we all reflect on what this year has meant to the NHL and our respective teams, rather than repeat the same old list you’ll find on 10 other sites, I wanted to highlight a single event that I’m sure I’ll look back on years from now.
It’s the one moment from 2008 that will stay with Nashville Predators fans forever…
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: jason+arnott,
Powering their team’s success
by Forechecker on 12/30/08 at 01:44 PM ET
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As we close the books on 2008, the latest NHL Penalty Plus/Minus update shows a familiar face leading the way…
Dustin Brown (+23): Last season’s Penalty Plus/Minus leader (+43 in 2007-8) is separating himself from the pack, having drawn 33 calls and taken only 10 himself, generating a net of 23 power plays for the Los Angeles Kings so far. In back-to-back games against the Phoenix Coyotes last week, Brown created two PP chances in each contest.
For all the numbers, and a look at other players atop the leader board, the complete update appears within…
Filed in: NHL Statistical Analysis | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: dustin+brown, jarome+iginla, martin+hanzal, patrick+o'sullivan,
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