Hockey Thoughts: Ruts

Seems an abnormal number of teams are stuck in ruts right now, with 5, 6, 7+ game losing streaks.  Or winning streaks.  Some teams seem to be overwhelmed in some sort of malaise while others seem unstoppable. 

The Caps have been a rut team lately, not scoring, and not doing much of anything except losing.  Last night they had some sort of flashback to the team they used to be, squeaking out a win in a scoring bonanza with the Ducks 7-6.  I'm pretty sure they haven't scored 7 goals in all of their games since the start of 2011.  That makes two goals in three games for The Great Eight.  Semin, back only a couple of games, has made is return known as well.  He scored the other night, and then racked up his 7th career hat trick, giving him four on the season tying him for the league lead in that category.  Some hockey prognosticators have wanted to label this a sign of a return of the Caps of old, but I'm going to flag it as a fluke more than anything.  Unless Boudreau has given up on his "new system," which I doubt he has, I think this was an exception and not the rule. 

I actually snoozed through much of the game because I strained my neck the other day and was "relaxing" on my heating pad on the couch, which resulted in a drowsy Jennifer.  I fell asleep after Ovechkin's goal that tied the match 1-1, and woke up during the second period to find it tied 4-4.  Then it seemed like no one scored for either team unless I was out of the room or otherwise not paying attention to the TV.  So, I can't really speak to what went right or wrong in that particular game, but  I expect to see the Caps continue to flounder their way to the end of the season, and maybe into one of the last playoff spots.  They currently sit in 5th, only 2 points behind their Division leader Tampa Bay.  Even though the 4th place team (Shittsburgh) has 76 points, they only need to surpass Tampa to jump into 2nd or 3rd.  Additionally, 8 points separate them in the 5th spot from the 8th spot currently held by Carolina.  So, there are less hurdles ahead of them in the standings and plenty of room behind them.

As for the Preds, losing had become the norm again.  After putting up one hell of a fight against the Sharks on Tuesday they lost in OT on a major facepalm play by their defense.  It was an inexcusable and epic breakdown of their defense that led to the GWG, and since I didn't see the game I can't really discuss the overall play of the team in this instance.  I do know that Trotz scratched Dumont to "send a message" but I'm not clear on the message he was trying to send?  He's always loathe to bench his "stars" so when he does, it means someone's in the dog house, but I'm not sure Legwand will get the message by benching Dumont.  While Dumont's play has been nothing to write home about, I can specifically remember him contributing on more occasions recently than Legwand.  I know I'm hard on Legwand all the time so it's probably easy for me to overlook what he might be doing right, but after hearing his combined stats for the past three seasons on the radio the other day he had not managed to make it off my shit list. 

More than anything the Preds seem to be suffering from bouts of bad luck when it comes to scoring.  I can't describe it any other way.  They've had plenty of games in recent weeks where they are actually taking shots and getting in front of the net, but nothing seems to go in.  I don't know how you fix that problem.  They do seem to be reverting to a passing game again, however, and that's never been (and probably never will be) this team's strong suit with the players they currently have.  If they focus on puck control by way of short passes and maintaining control in the neutral zone, they can win games.  One notable trend I've noticed in the games where they've struggled and/or loss, is the inability to maintain any semblance of composure in the neutral zone.

I'll let "The Coach" explain the neutral zone, since he does it better than I do:


Unlike the Caps, the Preds aren't going to be able to flounder and coast into the post season.  The Eastern Conference is tight, but not anywhere near as tight as the Western Conference.  As of this morning, the Preds are sitting in 4th place with 68 points...but all five teams from 4th-8th have 68 points!!!  A measly 6 points separates 4th-8th from 12th right now.  Nasvhille is also 6 points behind Division leading Detroit, so it's still within reach to win the division and vault into 2nd or 3rd.  All that to say they need to get their shit together because every single game from now through the second week of April MATTERS.

Hockey Thoughts: Gone Fishing

Nashville acquired Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators on Thursday in a pre-deadline deal that actually seemed to make a little sense for a change.  He's not a "rental player," and even though I'm a little uncomfortable with what his contract dictates he get paid, I was happy to see the Preds pick up a player with long-term potential.  As someone pointed out to me, rental players are par for the NHL course at this point in the season, but it's not Nashville's M.O. and Nashville doesn't operate like the majority of teams in the league, so rental players aren't necessarily something the Preds need to be shopping for at the deadline.  I like seeing trades that work with our "system" and this fits the bill.


Do I think Fisher is a great player?  No.  Is he a good player?  Yes.  I've gone on record saying that I didn't want him, but I do recognize that he was probably one of the best players available this season.  The main reason I didn't want him was because I wasn't sold that Nashville even needed to make a move at the deadline.  Beyond that, I know that the fact he is "Mr. Carrie Underwood" is a distraction and sideshow particularly here in Nashville.  It is a little too cute and cliche for my liking but from a hockey perspective it's still a good deal. 


I have hopes that this trade will pan out more like the Sullivan deal several years ago, where we got a strong player who fit well with the team and provides a much-needed boost in fan interest (even if the reason for the interest in Fisher annoys the shit out of me).  Adding to my pleasure is the fact that Nashville gave up a first round draft pick to get him.  Drafting is a crucial part of building a team, and continuing to operate a team on a shoestring budget, but I'm hoping that the Preds are growing out of that position and that this marks a shift from relying solely on drafting players and grooming them well.  Particularly since we've let some of our good draft picks that we've groomed go under less than advantageous circumstances. 

Despite the fact Fisher had not practiced with the whole team before Saturday's game, he fit in well with his line mates.  He produced a good screen on Nashville's first goal of the night (coming 11 seconds after Colorado's first), which was essential to maintain momentum and notched an official assist on the last goal of the night (which was the GWG).  So, welcome to Smashville Mike Fisher, we're glad to have you!

Hopefully his personal connection to Nashville will ease his transition to the team.  He won't have to worry about finding a house and one of the most stressful elements of his off-ice life--living in a different city than his new bride--has been remedied.  Fisher has played all eleven years of his career in Ottawa, so it's nice that this trade isn't too painful for him personally.  I'd like to see this pay off on the ice, as well.  As it turns out, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher live in The Governor's Club in Brentwood, which is about three miles from my neighborhood.  It would be pretty cool to see him at the grocery store some time.  But somehow I have a feeling they don't do their own shopping.  Celebrities still run out of milk late at night, though, don't they?  ;)

As an added bonus, Canadians have their panties in a wad over the deal.  Some Ottawa fans are happy for him and I commend them for their good sportsmanship.  But apparently since Gretsky married and American then was traded to Los Angeles, Canadians are sensitive to their star players marrying an American celebrity and getting traded to an American team.  Some of the testier Canadians are upset and blaming Carrie Underwood, and it's been reported that the country radio station in Ottawa has banned all Carrie Underwood songs from the air.  Given their general disdain for Nashville as a hockey market I can't help but be a little tickled at this news.  Sorry fellas, sometimes life sucks, eh?

Hockey Thoughts: Milk and Cookies

Is Matt Cooke a dirty player?  That was the question of the night on Tuesday.  Surely it was meant as a rhetorical question.

I'm not a big supporter of the "repeat offender" rule when it comes to doling out supplementary discipline, but when answering a question about a player's overall nature and/or playing style, I think it's perfectly acceptable to look at their track record.  The answer for Cooke is indisputable.

Ignoring his long history of being a first class ass hole (2 suspensions per season the last three seasons, and several other incidents that should have led to suspensions if not for Campbell's ineptitude) still leads one to conclude that he's, well...a first class ass hole.  In just the previous twelve months or so he's been responsible for the prelude to what is possibly a career-ending injury (to Savard of the Bruins) plus many additional hits that can only be called dirty.  Twice in as many games (Sunday and Tuesday) he hit with the intent to injure.  First was the knee on Ovechkin then came the ambush from behind against the boards on Tyutin.  Here's hoping Tyutin isn't hurt.  Ovechkin didn't seem to be.  Cooke is lucky in both instances.

In fact, his hit on Savard was THE driving factor behind the creation of "Rule 48," also known as the "hits to the head" rule.  If a professional sports league has to create a rule just for you I think the label of "troublemaker" is more than justified.  See also: Sean Avery.

No team should put up with a player like Matt Cooke.  They should not make excuses for his play, and they shouldn't coddle that behavior.  The primary responsibility for stopping this type of behavior should fall on the coach and the teammates of said "ass hole."  The "he was responding to X" line of reasoning doesn't work, boys.  They teach you as a child that two wrongs don't make a right.  Respond within the rules of the game or get off the ice.

And while no team should quietly condone plays like the ones Matt Cooke makes, Pittsburgh in particular at this very moment can't.  Not after the fit they've pitched about Crosby's concussion.  The hockey media has done their part in the hours immediately following the Tyutin hit to condemn Matt Cooke.  I want to see Bylsma do the same.  Nothing less will do.

And if the league is serious about Rule 48, they need to enforce it on it's inspiration. 

Hockey Thoughts: Blanked

I was preparing a post tonight about the awesome shut-out the Preds handed the Wings on Saturday night...then they dropped that huge turd tonight and much of what I was going to say seems, well, stupid.

No, no, I know...they still played very well on Saturday and it was an exciting game to watch.  But they still got blanked themselves, by the Oilers no less, tonight, so I'm not going to prognosticate about all the improvements they've made of late, blah, blah, blah.  Even the best teams get handed a tough loss by the worst teams from time to time, but I'm not sold on the Preds ability to make this run down the stretch.  Not just yet.  Not after watching them roll over like that.  These are the games they need to win.  Right now the focus should be on points.  Points.  Points. 

I'm reserving judgement until the end of the week, after another match against Detroit (on the road) and Colorado (at home).

In other news, The Caps blanked the Pens on Sunday at Verizon Center.  According to the NBC announcers (whom I don't really trust with hockey stats) that was the first time that happened since 1991.  Good for them.  They put a serious whoopin' on Tampa Friday night, as well.  I'm also reserving judgement on the Caps performance of late until I've seen a few more games out of them, too.  They've been as streaky (and disappointing) as the Preds lately, so until they string together more than two wins in a row, I'm unconvinced. 

Mike Green took a puck to the ear, so I need to see how that plays out.  Semin is supposed to return soon.  Winning the Division isn't key, but having their shit together is. 

Finally, in what was probably the best hockey news of the week, Malkin is out for the remainder of the season and we might not see Crosby until the playoffs.  I'll limit my comments on that, but if I could show you the party inside my head I would.  This has been happy-happy news for me, even though the Pens have found a way to win without them so far.  The stretch run might be harder.  I don't care if the Pens make the playoffs or not, honestly, I just don't want them to win another cup.  And I seriously doubt they can go all the way without those two guys.