Just when we thought the Nashville Predators might finally be putting it all together, we get whatever that was Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets. They certainly didn’t do themselves any favors with the embarrassing loss either. The Jets have now clinched a playoff spot, and the division is likely not far behind. The Preds can actually clinch a spot with a win of any kind tonight against the Wild, however the Blues are right behind them.
Yep, with the Preds struggling as they have, the St. Louis Blues are now two points behind the Predators in the standings with one game in hand. It is a very real possibility the Preds will drop to third and lose home ice advantage in the first round. Who thought we’d be saying that at the beginning of the season?
THE ULTIMATE TEASE
I’ve been saying the last few weeks that I need the Predators to prove it on the ice before I’m willing to consider them a legit contender for the Stanley Cup.
After the three-game win streak against the Kings, Sharks, and Leafs, you couldn’t help but wonder if maybe they had figured it out. Maybe they’ve finally put this inconsistency behind them and are ready for a run. Then the game against the Penguins happens. They don’t play well, but the team still finds a way to get a point. Okay, we can deal with that.
The team didn’t have its best game but manages to tie it late and salvage a point against a pretty good Pittsburgh team. But then, in one of the biggest games of the season in which they can get within two points of the division lead, against what has arguably become one of their biggest rivals, the team fails to even get off the plane.
It’s our fault really.
We should come to expect this by now. This is who the Predators are this season. When they are at their best, they can play with anyone in the league. They’re fast, physical, solid on defense, focused, and determined. The only issue is we never know when their best is going to show up. Too often we see a performance like we did Saturday night. It’s like one thing goes wrong, in this case the disallowed goal from Calle Jarnkrok, and the wheels just come right off. Go back and watch the game. From that moment on, the Jets completely dominated every aspect of the game.
Consider this – if you take out the 13-2 start to the season, the Preds are since 29-28-6. Barely a .500 team. Would they even make the playoffs with that pace? Hard to tell, but it’s pretty jarring to see that.
Look, I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom, but this team has some real issues. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the Preds know all they have to do is get to the playoffs where anything can happen. If they get hot at the right time, they are certainly capable of doing that, but do we think they can catch lightning in a bottle like they did two years ago? Time is running out for Nashville to figure it all out. Only six games remain before it’s do or die time. If they can’t string together some wins, the season’s over. Can they do it? They are certainly capable of it, but it’s time for them to finally prove it.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Three games on tap this week. Tonight, the Preds are in Minnesota to face off against the Wild. A win of any kind can clinch a playoff spot for the Predators. Friday night, the team will be in Pittsburgh for a rematch of last week’s game. That’s a huge layoff between road games, but it may be tricky to follow one in Pittsburgh with a home game against a Blue Jackets team scrapping to hold onto their playoff spot. That, and a lot can happen in the span of 24 hours, so you should probably make a point to check the odds for the Preds between one game and the next.
Time is running out. If the Predators are going to be a factor in the playoffs, it’s time for them to finally start playing like one. What better time than now to do that?
Be sure to check out the Talking Preds Podcast. New episodes almost weekly. Be sure to follow along on Twitter and Facebook for live tweeting during the games along with something new we’re trying out. For certain games, I’ll be jumping on live during intermissions, pre-game, or post-game with thoughts on the game. Love to have some good hockey discussion so follow along and let me know what you guys think.
Herbie Brooks is the Lead Nashville Predators 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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