Archive for April 16, 2012
Predators lean on Rinne heading into Game 4 of Western Conference quarterfinals
11 year ago
by Amanda DiPaolo
in Preview
On Tuesday night, the Nashville Predators will try to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings. The Predators have never enjoyed a 3-1 stranglehold on a series in the playoffs.
Sunday afternoon marked the first time the Predators had ever won a playoff game in Detroit. In 6 previous attempts Nashville went 0-for-6 at Joe Louis Arena.
The Predators 3-2 win over the Red Wings on Sunday was largely due to the stellar play of netminder Pekka Rinne, who picked up his 10th postseason win in Game 3. Rinne’s 41-save performance kept the Predators in lead of the game as Detroit controlled most of the third period throwing 19 pucks on goal in the final frame alone.
This past season, Rinne had a 5-0-2 record, including a 1.66 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage in seven games where Nashville’s netminder faced 40+ shots on goal. One such regular season contest was on December 15th when Nashville edged the Red Wings by a 4-3 score. Rinne is also 2-0 this postseason when making at least 35 saves. The 29-year old also had no regulation losses during the regular season when facing at least 35 shots on goal, posting a 14-0-2 record during those games. (more…)
Press release: Predators pride days set for all playoff-game days
01 year ago
by Amanda DiPaolo
in Press Release
Nashville, Tenn. (April 16, 2012) – The Nashville Predators will host Game Five, brought to you by Land Rover Nashville, this Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Doors for Game Five will open at 5 p.m. with a massive plaza party beginning at 4 p.m. in front of Bridgestone Arena with live music, games and more.
Gold Out T-Shirts will be provided by Land Rover Nashville (supporting T-shirt sponsors include Bridgestone, Fifth Third Bank, Hunt Brothers Pizza and 102.5 The Game). In addition to the Gold Out T-Shirts, any fan who wants to go gold can come into the Nashville Predators Pro Shop and save 20 percent on a new Preds jersey (we recommend the Gold ones). Better yet, any Red Wings fan that is truly ready to convert can turn in their Wings jersey to the Pro Shop and save 50 percent on a new Predators gold jersey. All Wings jerseys that are collected will be cleaned and sent back to a Detroit area youth charity.
In preparation for tomorrow night’s Game Four matchup (6:30 p.m., 102.5 the Game, SportSouth – Comcast channel 1676 HD or 26 SD), the team is once again calling on all residents of Smashville to show their support by donning their favorite Predswear for Preds Pride Day. Moving forward, the Predators have deemed all playoff game days as Preds Pride Day.
O’Charley’s continues to be the Official Away Game Viewing Headquarters of the Nashville Predators through the Stanley Cup Playoffs but if you’re looking for additional places to watch Preds playoff hockey with fellow fans closer to home, the Preds have you covered in all areas of town. Head over to Tequila Cowboy and Riverfront Tavern in downtown Nashville, Jed’s in Midtown, Cozymel’s, Drake’s and Brewhouse South in Cool Springs, Crow’s Nest in Green Hills, Village Pub in East Nashville, Sam’s in Murfreesboro and Spankies Restaurant in Cookeville.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Last season, Captain Shea Weber’s beard became a legend in its own right. With it, he made all opponents in his way “Fear the Beard.” This post season, take your cue from the captain and grow one for the team! Create an account on Preds Beard-a-thon presented by Philips Norelco and grow your playoff beard while raising money for the Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. Simply sign up today at beardathon.com/predators and then ask your friends and family to make a pledge to your beard. Also, don’t forget to head over to the Philips Norelco Facebook page for a chance to win 2012-2013 tickets by entering the Go With a Real Pro sweepstakes. Those who raise the most per week will be awarded prizes.
The Predators will continue to offer Day of Game tickets for $10 each at the box office at Bridgestone Arena. This offer is very limited and will be conducted by lottery. It will be available on game day starting at 10 a.m. and for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs only.
Daily’s post-game radio show will broadcast from the 102.5 The Game studio outside section 119 on the main concourse after all home games. Additionally, post-game festivities will continue on the plaza with live music, a beer garden and more.
Individual tickets for Games Five and Seven are available now and can be purchased at nashvillepredators.com, by calling 615-770-PUCK (7825), stopping by the Bridgestone Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Tickets for all future rounds of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs will go on sale upon the completion of each round.
The morning after: Predators cash in on their chances, retake home ice advantage
01 year ago
by Amanda DiPaolo
in Analysis
By Seth Lake
Looking to rebound from their loss in Game 2 at home, the Nashville Predators entered Sunday’s matinee at Joe Louis Arena having yet to defeat the Detroit Red Wings on the road in the playoffs in their previous six attempts.
Nashville got off to a strong start earning an early power-play attempt that they were able to cash in on to take the lead, got a strong penalty killing effort early in the 2nd period that turned into a Kevin Klein highlight reel goal, and got the game-winning goal late in the 3rd period on a 3-on-1 opportunity to support Pekka Rinne’s 41 save performance and take back home-ice advantage in the best of seven Western Conference Quarterfinal Series.
- Power Play Comes to Life – After going a combined 0-for-12 in the first two games of the series, the Predators got an early opportunity to break out of their slump when Drew Miller went to the box for goaltender interference after crashing into Pekka Rinne in his crease on a rush up the ice just 1:35 into the game. Starting with Andrei Kostitsyn, David Legwand, and Alexander Radulov up front with Ryan Suter and Shea Weber at the points due to Mike Fisher’s line being on the ice and at the end of their shift when the penalty was called, the Predators power play quickly established possession in the Detroit end of the rink with a faceoff win and went to work eventually setting up Weber for a slap shot from the point that broke Pavel Datsyuk’s stick. Radulov jumped on the rebound and worked the puck into Kostitsyn standing at the top of the crease who quickly spun and tried to elevate the puck over Jimmy Howard in close. The puck deflected off of Howard and high into the air where coming in from his point position Weber was able to find it and bury his chance through Datsyuk’s legs and into the open net to give Nashville an important 1-0 lead. In this series, the team scoring the first goal of the game is 3-0 thus far. During the regular season the Predators were 35-3-4 when scoring the first goal of the game. (more…)
