I’m back after missing last week. In all honestly, I had every intention of doing my weekly recap, but last weekend was crazy. A lot of traveling, and by the time I got home Sunday night, I was ready to crash. Anyways, we’re back on track now.
The Preds went out and had themselves a pretty good week. After playing three games of a 4-game road trip, they went 2-1. The Preds record is now at 7-5-2 with a total of 16 points. Currently, they are tied for 3rd in the division with 16 points, along with Colorado, Dallas, and Chicago. Seriously, this division is tight right now. They’re also tied for the first wild card spot with Vancouver, Dallas, and Chicago. With things being so tight right now, it’d be nice if the Preds could string together some wins and start to pull away.
You may have also heard about David Poile being busy Sunday night. The Matt Duchene trade finally went down, however not the way we expected. Poile was able to work out a three way deal that sent Duchene to Ottawa, Sam Girard and Vladislav Kamenev to Colorado, and the Preds getting Kyle Turris. You can read my initial thoughts on the trade here. While everyone was wanting Duchene, don’t be so fast to dismiss Turris. Check out the numbers, and they are very similar players. Anyways, on to the recaps.
The Preds started off this road trip with a game in San Jose. I don’t know what it is about the Shark Tank, but the Preds have never seemed to get it going there. It was more of the same Wednesday night. The Sharks were all over the Preds from the beginning in this one. Roman Josi did have a highlight reel goal from the Predators lone tally on the night, but it wasn’t enough. Preds dropped this one 4-1. Joe Thornton did reach 1,400 career points in this one though, so congrats to Jumbo Joe. He’s always been one of my favorite non-Preds players.
After a night off, it was on to Anaheim for the first game of a back-to-back set. The Preds came out with a fire lit under their asses, and quickly built a 2-0 lead. Hartnell was able to redirect a Josi pass into the net with his skate for his 4th goal of the year. Then, with just a few seconds left in the period, Captain Roman Josi found the back of the net to put the Preds up 2-0. The Preds added goals from Matt Irwin and Victor Arvidsson before Subban sealed the deal with an empty netter to give the Preds a 5-3 victory.
No time to rest, though. It was on to Los Angeles for a showdown with the Kings. Games between these two teams are always close, and this one was no different. Miikka Salomaki got the party started off a nice lob pass from Weber for his first of the year. Under a minute later it was Subban’s turn to light the lamp. 2-0 Preds at the end of one. Craig Smith then opened the 2nd with a really nice play. Forsberg drew the entire Kings defense to him, then made a slick pass to give Smith a wide open lane and he buried it.
Then, the Kings decided to make it a game and stormed back in a big way. Just 16 seconds into the third, the defense broke down and Alex Iafallo was left wide open in front of the net for his first career goal. Seriously, if you want to score your first career goal, just schedule the Preds. A weird goal from center ice would then cut the Preds lead to 1. You could just sense OT coming, and the Kings finally got the game tying goal about halfway through the period.
Everyone is aware of the Preds struggles in OT, and for a while it wasn’t looking good. They seemed to not be able to get a handle on the puck and the Kings came close to ending it a lot of times. Finally though, Arvidsson was able to knock the puck loose and Jarnkrok picked it up and flung it down the ice to a streaking Arvi for the game winner. Great play all around to end the game.
PREDS THREE STARS OF THE WEEK
First Star – Roman Josi – Two goals this week, including a couple highlight reel goals. Since returning from inury, Josi has been on fire.
Second Star – PK Subban – Subban had a nice week, pitching in two goals. Him and Emelin seem to be working well together.
Third Star – David Poile – One of the question marks for the Preds so far this year has been 5v5 play. Poile went out and added a very talented center in Kyle Turris to address that need. He also signed Turris to a 6 year extension. This move by Poile signifies the Preds are all-in to make a return trip to the Finals this year.
It’s a light week coming up for the Preds. Tuesday night they finish off their 4-game road trip by visiting the Blue Jackets. They then return home for a Saturday night rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals with the Penguins. I’m sure the Preds have had this one circled on their calendars for some time now. I know I have.
Herbie Brooks is the Lead Hockey Analyst for SoBros Network. He knows three things: beating Commies, winning Gold Medals, and having great hair. Follow him on Twitter: @SoBroHerbie_B
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