On the Forecheck
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Beating the Blahs
by Forechecker on 02/12/09 at 02:04 PM ET
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In the chase for the Western Conference playoffs, it’s not just about earning points for your own team, but knocking down the competition as well when you have the chance. The Nashville Predators have an opportunity to deliver a critical blow to St. Louis’ faint playoff hopes, and lift themselves back into contention at the same time. After tonight’s game in Nashville, these two teams meet again next Thursday at the Sommet Center, and then Saturday, Feb. 21 in St. Louis.
Beating the Blues won’t be an easy task, however; despite dominating them in recent years, this season the Preds are 0-2-1 against the Central Division’s last-place team. Coming into tonight’s game riding a recent 6-2-3 stretch, the Blues are proving to be far more resilient than anyone could expect, particularly considering the rash of serious injuries they’ve had to deal with (Paul Kariya, Eric Brewer, Erik Johnson).
So what do the Preds need to do to turn things around tonight?
1. Shut down B.J. Crombeen: It’s flat-out embarassing that we even need to note this, but the Blues’ knuckle-dragger lit up the Preds with a hat trick in the last meeting between these teams on December 8.
2. Offense all around: A shorthanded team like St. Louis is most likely to be vulnerable once their big guns are on the bench, and Joel Ward needs to bring more of what he showed Tuesday against Detroit. If Patric Hornqvist wants to stick in the NHL, he needs to chip in as well.
3. Double-check the game time: The Preds need to jump the Blues right off the opening faceoff, and establish an early lead.
4. Stay out of the box: At home against a team which they should have outgunned, the Preds can ill afford to shoot themselves in the foot and give St. Louis power play chances.
Game Time is 7:00 tonight at the Sommet Center, and if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, follow this link and use the special offer code “predators” for discounted seats.
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About On the Forecheck
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis. Having started over 10 years ago writing for websites like In the Crease and e-Sports, Dirk launched On The Forecheck in 2005 to cover the Nashville Predators as well as apply statistical analysis to NHL hockey.
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Furious February
The Preds host 10 home games during the month of February, including two games each against the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and, yes, the Detroit Red Wings. For discounted Nashville Predators tickets, including steeply discounted Ticketmaster fees, to these or any other upcoming home games, take advantage of this special offer, and use the special offer code "predators".
