Christensen was on the bubble in training camp and was kept over Sean Avery because he was perceived by coach John Tortorella as a more skilled player who was also an asset come shootout time. From a pure offensive skill perspective, Christensen is superior to Avery. However, he was never able to maintain any semblance of consistency when inserted into the lineup. Christensen himself has even admitted to having confidence issues. Yes, he is excellent in the shootout, but it’s hard to justify keeping someone in the lineup who may be invisible for 65 minutes simply for shootout prowess when there’s no guarantee that they will even play to one. The play of callups Carl Hagelin and John Mitchell further solidified his position as odd man out. He hadn’t played in a game since December 17th and on January 11th went to the Connecticut Whale on a 2-week conditioning assignment. He rejoined the Rangers at the All-Star break.

A third round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2002 whom the Rangers claimed off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks during the 2009-10 season, the Wild now become Christensen’s 5th organization in his 7 NHL seasons. Christensen had 20 goals and 38 assists in the 132 games he played in a Rangers uniform, including 1 goal and 4 assists in the 20 games he played this year.

It’s a minor move that is good for all parties involved. In Christensen the injury-ravaged and struggling Wild get someone with some NHL experience, and he can step in and play for them right away. For Christensen, it gives him an opportunity to play on a regular basis. For the Rangers, Wellman, who has been assigned to the Whale, gives them a little more organizational depth. More importantly, it gets one extra forward off their NHL roster and opens up a little more cap space as the January 27th trade deadline nears.

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In other news, Steve Eminger, who suffered a separated shoulder on December 17th against the Phoenix Coyotes, has been cleared to play. It’s not been decided whether or not he’ll get back in the lineup Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers, but look for him to take the place of Stu Bickel.

*******************************

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Maybe some harsh reality will finally settle in as sometimes certain games bear more weight in a long grueling season. Possibly, but before anything can be fixed, those in charge of the fixing have to realize there are problems and mistakes to be corrected.

One can’t be sure what type of roster general manager Stan Bowman was trying to put together this past summer. What is certain is Bowman completely missed on some of the veteran free agents he signed. What also appears likely is Bowman counted on much better performances from other players and may have overvalued his club.

Then there is head coach Joel Quenneville who gave the company line Thursday night when asked about his personnel. Quenneville commented after the loss there really isn’t anything wrong with the personnel rather it’s a matter of not performing in the correct way. If Quenneville truly believes this same group can win in the playoffs then he hasn’t been doing a very good job of coaching.

Maybe Quenneville has no real choice but to accept a roster with too much dead weight. If he wants to be the fall guy that probably won’t take too long to happen. If the Hawks struggle for the next few months and make an early exit in the playoffs Quenneville will be held responsible.

Maybe it is a combination of a GM who won’t admit mistakes and a head coach that can’t get his message across. Without changes, the Hawks won’t be able to successfully play the same type of fast paced style as was the case a couple of years ago. They don’t have the same team speed. Players aren’t able to pass the puck as well and the defense as a group has not been as good. All that said this team often tries to be something it can’t be.

For things to improve, Bowman has to find players which can blend in and improve the level of play. Then Quenneville has to utilize what he has been given. So far, both have more work to do. Maybe Thursday night will turn out to be a game to hinge the entire season on.

Back in early January 2010, the Blackhawks were sailing along with a four goal lead in Minnesota going into the third period. The Wild scored three times in 2:05 and came back to defeat the Hawks 6-5 in a shootout. That game still stands out as being a turning point in the Stanley Cup season.

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With the win, the Red Wings are stretching their lead in the much-heated Central Division by five points over the second place Nashville Predators and six over the St. Louis  Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. They still have the best record in the NHL with 71 points.

The Red Wings got goals in regulation from Hudler, Danny Cleary and Drew Miller.  Jimmy Howard recorded 22 saves for his league-leading 32nd win of the season. Howard was rarely tested in the first two periods, but he had to face a Canucks’ onslaught in the third period by stopping 13 of 15 shots.

On the other side of the Red Wings’ net was the Canucks’ best player. Roberto Luongo made 40 saves for his team and if it weren’t for him, the Red Wings would have won convincingly. Luongo has been under a microscope in Vancouver, but tonight he can’t be at fault. He stopped Valtteri Filppula, Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen on breakaways in the first period, so here was his defense the first two periods?

The Red Wings took control of the game for the first 40 minutes, but they took the foot off of the gas pedal in the third period by blowing two third-period leads.

Danny Cleary netted his 11th goal (150th career goal) to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead, but Ryan Kesler responded back with his 15th of the season to tie things up at 1-1.  Hudler gave the Red Wings the lead at 13:51 of the season as he got the puck with a cross-ice pass from Filppula, beating Luongo from the left faceoff circle.

The Canucks tied the game at 2-2 when Alex Burrows recovered a turnover by Drew Miller and blasted a shot from the center of the left faceoff circle.  Miller rebounded from the gaffe and scored when he picked up the loose puck to put it past Luongo. The Red Wings’ lead was short-lived when Mason Raymond blasted a shot from outside the left circle and beat Howard, who was screened to tie the game at 3-3.

The Red Wings had their chance to win it in overtime, but couldn’t beat Luongo, who stopped all five shots in the extra session.  The odds were in the Red Wings favor going into their sixth shootout of the season.  Howard was barely tested in the shootout, but Luongo didn’t have a chance with Datsyuk and Hudler beating him stick side.  The Red Wings are now a perfect 6-0 in shootouts this season.

Instead of the Red Wings sending their next opponents a “Thank You” card, they have to do battle with the Edmonton Oilers at the Rexall Place on Saturday night.  The Oilers are off to a good start in the second half of the season with their last game an 8-4 blowout of the Blackhawks. Maybe they should find a way to contain Sam Gagner who did his best Wayne Gretzky impression as he had an 8-point night (four goals, four assists) against the Blackhawks.

Despite being mired in the Eastern Conference basement with the league’s worst road record, Kirk Muller’s bunch of hard-working Hurricanes had managed to amass a 3-0-0 record against the Northeast division-leading Boston Bruins thus far this year. “It seems like they bring out the best in us” said Cam Ward of the Black and Gold. Much to the dismay of the 17,565 that packed into TD Garden, that trend did not change on Thursday when the ‘Canes invaded TD Garden for the fourth and final showdown of the season for these two Eastern Conference foes. Backstopped by 47 saves from netminder Cam Ward, Carolina again bested the B’s, this time via a 3-0 shutout.

The ‘Canes would get on the board first as Jiri Tlusty would find a wide open Eric Staal in front after taking down Johnny Boychuk in the corner.  The Carolina Captain made no mistake, blasting it past Boston’s goaltender Tuukka Rask for his 12^th goal of the season. Despite an early Boston surge, including a 22-shot onslaught in the first frame, the ‘Canes stood their ground and entered the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.

 ”As the period went on they got a lot of shots, took a lot of point shots, and Wardo (Cam Ward) was really sharp. And then we adjusted well after the first, tightening up defensively and limiting some of the shots, and then putting pucks in areas where we can get them back and create some offense at the other end. – Eric Staal

“To walk away out of the first period with a 1-0 lead, we felt good about that and improved our play in the second period.” – Cam Ward

In what became an unfortunate theme for Boston, the ‘Canes were able to cash in once again after a defensive zone breakdown by the B’s and extend their lead to 2-0 at the 16:41 mark of the second period. Completing a solid two-point night it was durable pivot Brandon Sutter who would tack on an insurance goal for Carolina when he went upstairs with a wrister on Rask after a beautiful centering feed from Tuomu Ruutu.

The three tallies would be more than enough for Cam Ward who was in top-form all night, denying each and every scoring chance that the Black and Gold could throw his way. The first overall selection in last year’s all-star game fantasy draft, Cam Ward has been absent from the national hockey scene for quite a while now. Often overlooked by many across the league – perhaps due to his playing in a non-traditional hockey market on a struggling team—Ward may be the most underrated goaltender in the league. The 27-year-old Saskatoon native admittedly felt great between the pipes tonight, and it showed in his 47-save shutout performance.

“I felt really comfortable. I felt like I was seeing the puck well and for the most part I was really happy with my rebound control and we had to get off to a good start because we know that they play extremely hard, especially in their building.” – Cam Ward

With the loss the B’s dropped their record to a pedestrian 6-5-1 since their 4-3 loss to Vancouver in a Stanley Cup Finals rematch back on January 7. B’s players have recognized the errors in their play over the past month and are aware of what they must do in order to right the ship. An especially disgruntled Shawn Thornton had this to say during his post-game media scrum:

“Not good enough, – same thing we’ve been talking about for the last however long. Absolutely fell asleep in the second period – not good enough at all. I don’t think we had everyone going again. Seems to be the same old story – we’re not that good that we can come out and go through the motions and expect to be successful. When we were on top of our game, it’s because everyone was working and that’s not happening right now.” – Shawn Thornton

That about sums it up for the way the B’s have been playing lately. It won’t get any easier for the Black and Gold as they prepare for weekend matinees with Malkin’s red-hot Penguins and Alex Ovechkin’s Caps.

KEY STATS

Goals–                CAR (3)   BOS (0)

Shots–                CAR (31)   BOS (47)

Power-Play–    CAR(0-4)   BOS (0-2)

Penalty-Kill–   CAR (2-2)   BOS (4-4)

Ben’s Three Stars….. 3.) Eric Staal …..2.) Brandon Sutter…..1.) Cam Ward

What’s Next?

Boston will finish up their current three-game home-stand on Saturday afternoon when they host the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden before heading to Washington for a Super Bowl Sunday Matinee with the Capitals. The Hurricanes will return home to the RBC Center for a Saturday evening tilt with Anze Kopitar and the Los Angeles Kings.

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The Predators gave Pekka Rinne a rare night off and started Anders Lindback in net, while the Flyers went with their starter, Ilya Bryzgalov.

The Predators were attempting to sweep their two game series with the Flyers after capturing a 4-2 decision in Nashville just 19 days ago.

The first period was a track meet with both teams moving the puck up and down the ice and creating some chances.. Nashville had the better of the first period in shots with a 12-6 advantage, but it was the Flyers that found the back of the net first. Wayne Simmonds took the puck off the boards and worked to the high slot against Ryan Suter. Simmonds spun quickly around Suter and let a backhand shot go that beat a screened Lindback for the only score of the period at 15:41.

In the second period, the Predators had to kill off 1:34 of a Flyers two man advantage as Gabriel Bourque was in the box serving a too many men on the ice bench minor and Ryan Suter was called for delay of game for clearing the puck over the glass. The Predators PK unit came up big and managed to kill the penalty.

Just as Suter’s penalty was about to expire, a melee broke out in front of Lindback, and after the resulting penalties were meted out, the Predators had a power play. As was the trend in this game, the Flyers managed to kill off the penalty. Through two periods, the Predators power play was 0-4 as the Flyers penalty killers did a very good job of thwarting the Predators effort.

Shortly after the Predators power play had expired, Matt Read stole the puck from Kevin Klein at the Flyers blue line and drove in on Lindback. His snap shot from the face off circle beat Lindback cleanly to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead at 14:32 of the second period.

The first 40 minutes of this contest saw the Predators power play become ineffective, and more troubling was the fact that the Predators only managed 4 shots on goal in the second period. Obviously, the offensive effort by the Predators was going to have to improve significantly if they were going to get back in this game.

The third period saw the Predators skating hard and controlling the puck and creating scoring chances. This was the way they were going to have to play to get back in this game.

Their efforts were rewarded at 8:36 of the third period as Craig Smith found a pinching Ryan Suter just inside the face off circle and Suter’s quick wrist shot beat Bryzgalov to make the score 2-1 and give the Predators new life in this game. Matt Halischuk started the play by keeping control of the puck down low, and once again, the Predators were getting production from the young guys on the roster.

The Predators continued to move their feet and put pressure on the Flyers. They were generating some good scoring chances, but needed to bury a shot.

The Predators short circuited their momentum when Jerred Smithson was called for interference. The Flyers tallied a power play goal as Wayne Simmonds gathered in a rebound of a Claude Giroux shot at the top of the crease and hammered home the puck to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead at 15:19 of the third period.

With Lindback pulled for the extra attacker, Claude Giroux potted an empty net goal at 1:55 to give the Flyers a 4-1 lead and the game.

While the Predators failed to win this game, I did like their compete level in the third period. They skated hard and created some quality scoring chances, but could not bury the game tying goal. Shots were 11-11 in the third period, but the Predators forecheck created some good opportunities. Finishing their chances was the missing element for the Predators.

So for the Predators, it is time to get back on the horse and start another winning streak. That begins Saturday at home against St. Louis.

My three stars:

1. Wayne Simmonds

2. Ilya Bryzgalov

3. Craig Smith

Tonight’s Line-Up (Subject To Change):

FORWARDS

Marchand–Bergeron–Seguin

Lucic–Krejci–Peverley

Pouliot–Kelly–Hamill

Paille–Campbell–Thornton

DEFENSE

Chara–Boychuk

Seidenberg–Corvo

Ference–McQuaid

GOALTENDER

Rask

Thomas

Scratches– …… Kampfer (Healthy) , Caron (Healthy) , Horton (Concussion)

NEWS & NOTES

– This season the lowly ‘Canes have thoroughly dominated Boston this season, outscoring the Black and Gold by an 11-5 margin en route to a 3-0-0 record. This will be the second game played at TD Garden between these two squads. The first took place back on October 18 when Joni Pitkanen’s three point night lead the Hurricanes to a 4-1 victory.

– The last-place ‘Canes currently sport a conference-worst 5-13-6 road record as well as the NHL’s 29th ranked goal differential, an astoundingly low -32.  On the other end of that spectrum, the Bruins have recorded a 17-7-2 mark from the confines of TD Garden and amassed a whopping +70 goal differential.

– This one could be a sneak preview for a few Carolina players who have been rumored to be available at the deadline. As I suggested in my piece last week, free-agents-to-be Tuomo Ruutu and Bryan Allen are two guys I could see as perfect fits for this Bruins’ squad.

– In the three games against Carolina this season the B’s have accumulated an astounding total of 78 penalty minutes. That number is good for the most surrendered by Boston against any Southeast division team this year.

– Nathan Horton is expected to miss his third straight game this evening after suffering a concussion last Sunday. Defenseman Andrew Ference will also make his return this evening after serving his three game suspension for boarding Rangers’ blueliner Ryan McDonagh.

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It was the first game back from the All-Star break, so there were moments in the opening period where each club appeared out of sync. The Canucks did look more together in the early going, and they should have had the lead after the opening 20 minutes.

With the help of some great goal tending by Corey Crawford, the Hawks were able to settle down. The game was tied at one after the first frame and stayed that way until early in the third period. Crawford made some huge stops and Canucks back-up Cory Schneider was every bit as good. Schneider was even more strongly tested than Crawford.

The Hawks had the better of the play after the first period until the overtime. Crawford and Schneider put on a fantastic show, and in the end, the Canucks found away to convert in overtime for the win. This game was a delight to watch except for some shoddy officiating.

Hawks newcomer Brendan Morrison couldn’t have started off much more slowly, which wasn’t a shock. It’s not as easy as one would think to jump in and play with elite talent. Morrison made more than his share of bad passes and turnovers in the early going. As the game went on, he got a lot better. Morrison’s veteran instincts did shine through as he played close to 19 minutes. Morrison has good hands and visions, but I’m not sure he will keep his spot as the second line center.

Patrick Sharp returned from a 10 game absence and looked as if the play was too fast for him at times. Sharp stayed with it and was on the ice for about 19 minutes with three shots on goal.

Jonathan Toews was back in action also and was not at his best. Toews was credited with five shots and his line did generate quite a few scoring chances. Toews did work hard, but he had an usually difficult night in the faceoff circle.

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Cory Emmerton, Jiri Hudler, and Drew Miller scored for the Red Wings and All-Star goalie Jimmy Howard recorded 28 saves for his league-leading 31st win. The Red Wings and Flames tied their season series at 2-2.

The Red Wings scored the lone goal at 5:57 of the first period when Jan Mursak carried the puck into the Flames’ zone and dropped it for Justin Abdelkader, who blasted it from the top of the left circle, but Cory Emmerton picked up the rebound to put it past Flames’ goalie Mikka Kiprusoff.

The Flames tied things up at 1-1 early in the second period when the recently-acquired Mike Cammalleri scored a power play goal, but that was all that the home team could get past Howard.

The Red Wings got the lead midway through the third period when Valtteri Filppula skated around Chris Butler, who fell on the blueline, and buzzed around the Flames’ net and found an open Hudler, who was in front to poke it in.  Miller closed out the scoring as he got a nice goal-mouth pass from Danny Cleary for the 3-1 lead.

Give props to the Red Wings’ third and fourth lines with their solid contributions. The Emmerton-Abledkader-Mursak and Cleary-Helm-Miller lines were very effective and picked the scoring pace.

This gives the Red Wings a 1-1-0 on this current five-game road trip. Yes, we do have to count the 7-2 drubbing by the Montreal Canadiens last Tuesday before the break.  This was two points that they had to have, especially on Calgary’s home ice where they haven’t had much success.

The road win gives the Red Wings a 14-14-0 record away from the Joe Louis Arena.  They remain on top of the NHL standings with 69 points and having a 20-2-1 record on home ice certainly helps, doesn’t it?

With a three-point lead in the Central Division, they have a litle bit of breathing room. The Nashville Predators are in second with 66 points while the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues are tied for third with 65 points.

The Red Wings take their show on the road when they pay a visit to the Vancouver Canucks at the Rogers Arena on Thursday. Their last meeting on December 21 was a chippy one with the Canucks coming out on top 4-2. This is going to be a huge test for the Red Wings and could be another statement game for them.

Recovering from a 1-0 deficit after allowing a Zdeno Chara power-play goal, the Sens would quickly adjust and build a 3-1 lead by the mid-point of the second frame.

The goals were scored by three men who are sure to be integral pieces of the hockey scene in Ottawa for many years to come; rookie Colin Greening, sensational sophomore Kyle Turris and all-star blueliner Erik Karlsson.

However, late in the second period the B’s were able to cut the deficit to one and more importantly swing the momentum back into their favor when Milan Lucic took a slick cross-ice feed from Rich Peverley and wristed one past Craig Anderson to make it a 3-2 game as we entered the final frame.

“We know we played a terrible second period, they scored on us a few times on breakdowns in the neutral zone and the defensive zone and for us to get momentum going into the third definitely helped us come back in this game.” – Dennis Seidenberg

The third and final frame would not be too kind on the Senators as Boston would jump all over them, out-shooting Ottawa 13-7 and scoring the only two goals of the period. “We started playing like ourselves in the third, we did a great job finding a way to win and at the end of the day that’s what matters” quipped Brad Marchand. After a Karlsson penalty put Boston on the power-play, it wouldn’t take long for the undersized winger to knot the score at three when he outworked a couple of Sens’ defensemen and poked a rebound into the Ottawa goal.

The fourth Boston tally was without doubt the least spectacular of them all as it was Dennis Seidenberg who would wind up and blast one past Anderson….. from the red line. The goal was far from pretty, but as they say “it’s not how, it’s how many”.

“It skipped and it turned and it twisted. Those things are going to happen, we can’t point any fingers about that. Every once in a blue moon, that’s going to happen.” – Paul MacLean

Boston would salvage this one-goal lead and hold one to secure their third victory in three tries against Ottawa this season. In what’s becoming more and more of a trend here in the Hub, the B’s are relying heavily on strong third periods to bail them out of games in which they haven’t been at their best. While being able to win games in which you don’t have your best stuff is obviously a fantastic trait that many teams would love to possess, members of the Black and Gold know that they must improve their game and come out with more sixty-minute efforts.

“It almost feels like we’re waiting for the third to come around. If we can just stay close and play our standard third period then we’ll win the game. But like I said, that type of play doesn’t last very long.” – Joe Corvo

Playing their third consecutive hotly contested tilt against the B’s, the Senators proved tonight that they should be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference.  Being able to hang with the defending Stanley Cup champions is no small feat, especially for a young Ottawa team trying to make a name for itself.

“I think we played good throughout most of the game but we just didn’t play good enough for sixty minutes.  That’s why we lost this game. I think that when we’re at the top of our game we can compete with any team in this league.” – Erik Karlsson

KEY STATS

Goals–                  OTT (3)        BOS (4)

Shots–                  OTT (33)      BOS (30)

Power-Play–      OTT (0-0)    BOS (2-4)

Penalty-Kill–      OTT (2-4)     BOS (0-0)

Ben’s Three Stars– ….. 3.) Milan Lucic ….. 2.) Erik Karlsson  ….. 1.) Brad Marchand

What’s Next?

The B’s will be back at it on Thursday as they continue their home-stand against Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens will make a return home to ScotiaBank Place where they will host the New York Islanders on Friday evening.

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The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Wild went with Josh Harding.

Dany Heatley got loose in the low slot and buried the puck past Rinne to give the Wild a 1-0 lead at 8:04 in the first period. The defensive coverage broke down completely on this goal as Heatley was completely left left alone and Rinne had no chance on the snap shot.

Craig Smith drew a hooking call on a nice drive to the net, but the Predators could only muster one shot on goal with the man advantage.

The Predators returned the favor to the Wild as Shea Weber was called for holding. The Wild made the Predators pay for their transgression as once again Dany Heatley got open right in front of the net and once again beat Rinne. The Predators defensive coverage down low was atrocious once again, and it burnt them at 12:36 of the first period.

The Predators were out shot 11-10 in the first period, but and created a few scoring chances, but the Wild looked to be more ready to play and definitely looked to be the more desperate team.

The Predators were going to have to ramp up the intensity in the second period and were going to have to tighten up their defensive coverage.

Well, so much for tightening up the defensive coverage. Cal Clutterbuck drove into the zone and all the way to the net where his backhand eluded Rinne to make it 3-0 at 1: 29 of the second period. The Predators have shown their ability to come back in games, but spotting the Wild a 3-0 lead was digging an enormous hole.

The Predators finally got on the board at 9:33 of the second period as Kevin Klein took a shot from the blue line with Matt Halischuk in front screening. Halischuk re-directed the shot past Harding to get the Predators on the board. For Halischuk, this was his 12th goal of the season, and he continues to impress with his hard work.

At the end of two periods, the Predators trailed 3-1, and failed to generate much of a sustained attack. The Wild were forechecking aggressively and disrupting the Predators breakouts in the neutral zone. The Wild out shot the Predators 6-5 in the second, and the shot totals were reflective of a period of hockey that had no flow to it.

The Predators were going to have to support the puck better and create offense in the third period if they were going to have an opportunity to win this game. It was going to be important for the Predators to establish offensive zone time and create some chances in the third period.

Once again the Predators gave up an early goal t begin the period as Kyle Brodziak tapped in a puck as Nick Johnson was allowed to walk out of the corner and to the front of the net. Johnson’s shot was stopped by Rinne, but Brodziak was free to tap in the puck at just 16 seconds into the period.

The Predators showed that they were definitely not ready to play in this game, as the mental aspect of the their game was totally absent in this contest. The Wild had scored all their goals off defensive lapses by the Predators, which was indicative of the team not being mentally ready for this contest.

The Predators made it 4-2 as Brandon Yip and Matt Halischuk were banging away at the puck as Harding went down to block the shot. The play went under review, but the puck was spied by the officials across the goal line for Yip’s first goal as a Predator at 9:22 of the third period. More importantly, the Predators kept fighting and were rewarded for their efforts.

Pekka Rinne made a huge save on Matt Cullen at 15:20 of the third as the Wild had a 2 on 1. Rinne once again bailed out the defense to keep the game within reach for the Predators, but the clock was melting away and it was going to be critical that the Predators get another goal quickly.

The Predators pulled to within one goal as Patric Hornqvist kept banging away at a loose puck in the crease and was able to poke the puck past Harding at 15:39. Hard work paid off for the Predators.

Improbable comeback on the way?

A resounding YES!

Just 21 seconds later, Mike Fisher pounded a puck past Harding to tie the game at 4. Unbelievably, the Predators had fought their way back into this game.

With 20.8 seconds to go, the Predators kept battling for control of the puck in the Wild zone. Mike Fisher got control of the puck along the boards by the face off circle and just threw the puck at the net. Somehow the puck eluded Harding and found the back of the net to give the Predators an unbelievable 5-4 lead.

The horn sounded and as unbelievable as it sounds, the Predators had an amazing come from behind win. A victory where they scored 4 goals in the third period, a period where they were down 4-1 early and seemed dead in the water.

That is character.

There are two take aways from this game: first, the Predators have to come ready to play. The success prior to the All Star game is history. Just stepping on the ice is not enough. Teams are desperate and they need the wins, and they are going to fight and scrap for every bit of ice and every loose puck. Tonight, the Predators were nearly bitten in the posterior because they did not come ready to play.

The second thing to take away from this game is that the game is never over until the final horn sounds. Keep fighting, keep grinding, keep playing, and good things happen. If this team ever forgets this fact, just pull the tape out and watch it again.

Let this game be a learning experience. Get ready boys, because the games down the stretch are going to be a war.

My three stars:

1. Mike Fisher

2. Matt Halischuk

3. Dany Heatley

Honorable mention: Patric Hornqvist Brandon Yip

Tonight’s Line-Up (Subject To Change):

FORWARDS

Marchand–Bergeron–Seguin

Lucic–Krejci–Peverley

Pouliot–Kelly–Hamill

Paille–Campbell–Thornton

DEFENSE

Chara–Boychuk

Seidenberg–Corvo

Kampfer–McQuaid

GOALTENDER

Thomas

Rask

Scratches– …… Ference (Suspended) , Caron (Healthy) , Horton (Concussion)

NEWS & NOTES

– Nathan Horton, who was absent from practice on Monday, is expected to miss his second straight contest after suffering his second concussion in eight months on Sunday against the Flyers. Also, defenseman Andrew Ference will be serving the third and final game of the three game ban he was given for his boarding incident against the Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh.

– Tonight will mark the third of six match-ups between these two squads and the second of three to be played here in Boston. The Black and Gold have won both contests thus far by a combined 10-5 margin. The first of which was back on November 1 when the B’s pulled out a come-from behind win at TD Garden that sparked an impeccable 12-0-1 streak. The second match-up was back on December 14 when a pair of Daniel Paille goals lead Boston to a 5-2 win at ScotiaBank Place.

– Team captains Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara will go head to head once again after leading their respective all-star squads into action this past weekend during the annual All-Star Weekend up in Ottawa. Alfredsson’s team dominated Saturday’s skills competition, but Chara’s team won the game 12-9 on Sunday night thanks to big performances from Marians; Gaborik and Hossa.

– B’s forward Patrice Bergeron has scored two goals and added one assist in the two games against the Sens this season, the year after scoring his first career hat-trick against the team hailing from Canada’s capital. Boston’s alternate captain has always fared well against Ottawa and it’d be wise for one to look for him to have yet another big performance against the Red and Black in this evening’s contest.

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Although they have the best home record in the NHL with a 20-2-1 record, the Red Wings need some of that home magic away from the Joe Louis Arena (13-14-0). Their next four games will be on the road and this will be their most crucial road trip this season.

Team Leaders:

Goals: Johan Franzen-19

Assists: Pavel Datsyuk-33

Points: Pavel Datsyuk-53

Plus/Minus: Ian White +26

Penalty Minutes: Jonathon Ericsson-43

Power Play Goals: Johan Franzen-9

Game-Winning Goals: Johan Franzen-9

Short Handed Goals: Brad Stuart-1

Shots on Goal: Henrik Zetterberg-152

Shooting Percentage: Jiri Hudler-21.7%

Average Ice Time Per Game: Nicklas Lidstrom-23:43

Goalie Stats:

Jimmy Howard- 23-10-1; 1.98 goals against average; .924 save percentage; 5 shutouts

Ty Conklin- 3-5-0; 3.20 goals against average; .886 save percentage, 1 shutout

Game 49:  St. Louis Blues 1  Detroit Red Wings 3

In an old-school Norris Division battle, the Red Wings got goals from Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, and Niklas Kronwall, while Jimmy Howard held the fort by stopping 21 of 22 shots for his league-leading 30th win of the season. The Red Wings matched the Blues with grit and toughness and then some. The Blues’ emotions got the best of them and it showed as the Red Wings cashed in on two power-play opportunities. It was another home ice win for the Red Wings, who won their 17th straight at the Joe Louis Arena.

Game 50:  Detroit Red Wings 2  Montreal Canadiens 7

The Red Wings’ last game before the All-Star break was a very forgettable one as the host Canadiens jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes and chased Jimmy Howard out of the game. Replacing Howard with Ty Conklin didn’t change the outcome for the Red Wings, who played without Nicklas Lidstrom. He sat out with the flu and they sure missed him all right. The only highlight was a two-goal effort from Jiri Hudler.

All-Star Game: Team Chara 12 Team Alfredsson 9

Jimmy Howard and Pavel Datsyuk represented the Red Wings at the All-Star Game in Ottawa and both played for the winners, Team Chara. Datsyuk had three assists and Howard stopped 11 of 14 shots, including a penalty shot by Steven Stamkos.

Team Transactions: None

This Week’s Games:

This Tuesday, the Red Wings travel to Calgary for a night with the Flames. Thursday, they head to Vancouver to face the Canucks and Saturday, they end the week with a date with the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place.

Marian Gaborik, the only Ranger to wind up on Team Chara (though he did accidentally wander over to the Team Alfredsson side during the draft) wound up taking MVP honors with a 3-goal, 1 assist performance, scoring  two of those against teammate Henrik Lundqvist. After the disaster of last season, after losing two good friends over the summer in Derek Boogaard and Pavol Demitra, it felt good as a fan to see him thoroughly enjoy himself this weekend and have a little fun at Lundqvist’s expense, as witnessed by his going Artem Anisimov on that first goal celebration.

Carl Hagelin, a 6th round draft pick in 2007, was a last-minute rookie replacement for the New Jersey Devils’ Adam Henrique. He had a chance to show off his speed, taking the fastest skater competition on Saturday night over fellow rookie Colin Greening of the host Senators.

It was incredible to see Dan Girardi, the only player of this year’s All-Star group who wasn’t drafted by an NHL team, have his name called on Friday night and get to pull a sweater over his head. Unfortunately the All-Star weekend is never about the skills of the purely defensive defenseman (nope, no creative shot-blocking contest in the skills competition for him to partake in). He had a goal that had been initially credited to him in the game awarded to Jason Spezza. Despite not really being a showcase to show off his skills, it was great that the NHL had the sense to recognize what we here in New York appreciate about him as a player after leaving him off the ballot.

All-Star Henrik Lundqvist warms up prior to the Rangers' 3-2 overtime win in Boston on January 21st

Last, but certainly not least, is the Ranger who was the most prominent of the contingent the entire weekend and had the most thankless job of all – playing goaltender in an exhibition game where no defense is played whatsoever. Back on January 17th I was at Madison Square Garden watching the Rangers defeat the Nashville Predators 3-0. All I could think of as Lundqvist made yet another spectacular save on the way to notching his 4th shutout of the season was, “why doesn’t the NHL market the hell out of this guy?” He’s compiled some nice on-ice credentials and this season is playing arguably the best hockey of his career.  Toss in his calm, cool demeanor and his (sorry guys) good looks and you have someone made to represent a product. As the assistant captain for Team Alfredsson and mic’d up for his first period appearance, Lundqvist was one of the All-Stars to get a large amount of face time throughout the coverage of the  festivities on the NHL Network and on the NBC Sports Network.

For the New York Rangers, there has to be tremendous pride in what took place this All-Star weekend in Ottawa. Having the head coach and four players (three homegrown) representing the team is a testament to the organization finally going about building a team the correct way and seeing it coming to fruition.

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Morrison, 36, has often been injured in recent years and his play has fallen off. Maybe Morrison could be considered no more than a spare part or depth player. That said, he may provide some veteran knowhow and improve the Hawks’ lineup.

Striking a deal for Morrison was worthwhile because the cost was low.

The Hawks dealt Rockford Ice Hog defenseman Bryan Connelly, who was recently selected to play in the AHL All-Star game. For whatever reason, Connelly was not in the Hawks plans and he wasn’t going to play on the big club.

Connelly, 25, is a smaller defenseman with offensive ability. Blackhawks management prefers others in their system with the same skillset. Connelly will have a better chance of becoming a NHL player with the trade to the Flames organization.

My guess is Morrison will get an opportunity as the second line pivot. If he does well playing alongside Marian Hossa, Morrison could be a great pick-up. If not, Morrison could find his way onto the third or fourth line and could pitch in on special teams. If Morrison can stay healthy, he will give Joel Quenneville more options.

Morrison returned this season after ACL surgery on his left knee, which he injured in a game against the Blackhawks last March. Morrison was hurt on a clean check by Niklas Hjalmarsson, but according to Morrison, some Hawks players were chiding him while he was helped off the ice.

Morrison mentioned on Friday night the incident is a “dead issue.” Morrison also commented he was ecstatic about coming to Chicago and will fill any role that is asked. Maybe Bowman has added a valuable component to a long playoff run, if he can stay healthy.

The Blackhawks are about to kick off their longest road trip since 1997. The nine-game journey will start in Vancouver on Tuesday night. The trip will not end until February 18 in Columbus. The Hawks will face some difficult opponents but their task might not be as bad as it appears.

The Hawks will return to Chicago after each three-game stretch to break up the trip. The first leg of their journey will be against three Western Canadian teams.

The Hawks will fly back to Chicago after Friday night’s contest in Calgary. They will recharge over the weekend and head to Colorado on Monday. No doubt it will be a challenging stretch, but at least the schedule allows for time to get back home.

On the injury front, word going around is Jonathan Toews will be ready to face the Canucks. That isn’t etched in stone, but official word on Toews could come down later Monday.

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5.) —–> To Chicago: Hal Gill, Travis Moen, 5th Round Pick

—–> To Montreal: Kyle Beach, Brandon Saad, 2nd Round Pick

– Seemingly going nowhere this season it may be time for the Habs and GM Pierre Gauthier to start thinking about unloading some pieces in an attempt to build for the future. Both Gill and Moen are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer and could provide a Cup-hunting Blackhawks team with some added depth and grit for a playoff run this spring. Neither Moen nor Gill give you much in the way of flash or skill, but both are very durable players who have a Stanley Cup on their resume. For Montreal, both Beach and Saad fit the mold of what the Habs need the most: big, strong power forwards who can put the puck in the net. While neither will give Montreal much in the way of immediate assistance, they both have the potential to become cogs in the Canadiens’ lineup for years to come.

4.) —–> To Boston: Tuomo Ruutu, Bryan Allen

—–> To Carolina: Jordan Caron, Matt Bartkowski, 2nd Round Pick

– For a team that has simply run roughshod on the Eastern Conference since the start of November there really aren’t many glaring holes on a roster full of Stanley Cup winners. However, like we saw last February, GM Peter Chiarelli isn’t afraid to tinker with his team in order to add the necessary depth to make another run at Lord Stanley. This trade makes perfect sense for a Boston team that still relies on an inexperienced Steven Kampfer as it’s seventh defenseman. The hard-nosed Bryan Allen isn’t known much for his offense (0G/7A in 51 games this season) but can provide a solid defensive presence in his end of the ice, as well as log some valuable time on the penalty kill. Like Allen, the 28-year-old Ruutu will be a free agent on July 1. The Finland native seems to have been cut from the same mold as Boston winger Rich Peverley in the way that he can be trusted in any situation. Ruutu has posted fifteen goals and added eleven assists in 51 games this season while being shuffled up and down the Carolina lineup.

3.) —–> To Philadelphia: Ryan Suter, 3rd Round Pick

—–> To Nashville: James Van Riemsdyk, Brayden Schenn, Andrej Meszaros, Jody Shelley, 1st Round Pick

– Now, I’d put this trade as the least likely to happen, at least not until this summer. A deal like this makes perfect sense for a Flyers team that will be without captain Chris Pronger for the remainder of the season. Ryan Suter is perhaps the most underrated defenseman in the entire NHL. Often overshadowed by Shea Weber, Suter has quietly stacked together one all-star season after another and is slated to finally cash in this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The question still remains as to if the cash-strapped Predators can re-sign Suter to a long term deal to keep him in Nashville. However, if GM David Poile comes to the realization that he will not be resigning with the Preds, he would be better served to deal him now than let him walk for nothing this July. The package I’ve presented seems like quite a hefty price for one player but keep in mind, true number one defensemen simply do not grow on trees. While I really can’t see this one happening before the deadline, if Suter is adamant about not re-upping in Nashville, I can’t see any better scenario for the Predators’ franchise both now and into the future.

2.) —–> To Toronto: Jeff Carter, 3rd Round Pick

—–> To Columbus: Luke Schenn, Nikolai Kulemin, 2nd Round Pick

– There’s no question that Jeff Carter’s brief stay in Ohio’s capital is coming to an early end. Reportedly frustrated by the entire situation, the former Flyers star has put up only seventeen points (10G/7A) in 30 games this season while playing for the league-worst Columbus Blue Jackets. While many teams would be skeptical of accepting any player with ten years left on his contract, the Leafs have been on a league-wide search for a true number one center since Brian Burke took the helm in November of 2008. It’s my belief that if Carter is surrounded by a talented team (like he was in Philadelphia) he will once again be able to return to his elite form. While many could think of this as an overpayment for Carter, I would argue that while Schenn still looks like a future all-star, he seems to be the odd man out on a Leafs’ blueline already manned by Dion Phaneuf, Mike Komisarek and John-Michael Liles — all of whom are signed to lucrative contracts. Kulemin is a young player with loads of skill and potential who seems to be struggling under the hockey-crazed pressure cooker that is Toronto. Perhaps a change of scenery would do him a world of good. In Toronto, Maple Leafs’ fans may be foaming at the mouth with the thoughts of putting an elite pivot in between all-star wingers Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul.

1.)  —–> To Minnesota: Zach Parise

—–> To New Jersey: Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin, 2nd Round Pick

– This trade simply makes too much sense. With Parise still unsigned and the Devils’ ownership situation still uncertain, it’s easy to suggest that New Jersey will be unable to retain Parise at year’s end. Recent speculation has suggested that the 5’11″ Minneapolis would like nothing better than to return to his home state to continue his career, making him a perfect fit for the Wild. However, a former 40-goal scorer with extensive leadership qualities simply does not come cheap. With this package the Devils pick up a solid return for a guy who will likely be gone for nothing on July 1. Devin Setoguchi is a solid young winger who can play top-six minutes and provide some pop playing across from Ilya Kovalchuk. In Coyle and Brodin New Jersey receives two former first round selections who look to be sure bet NHL contributors in the near future. Parise should provide the right type of boost for a Wild team trying to work themselves off of the playoff fringe.

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Firstly, let’s get Suter’s quotes out there again, as he made them to ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun:

“I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything,” Suter said of signing now. “We’ve never had a timeline or deadline. We’re just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself.”

Just to be perfectly clear, ESPN.com asked Suter again, was he saying he won’t sign before the trade deadline?

“I don’t see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something done,” Suter confirmed. “I’m a Nashville Predator until July. I will focus on making my team better.”

LeBrun also had the following to say in the article:

Suter has communicated to Poile a desire to see the GM improve the team before the trade deadline, and Poile is trying to do just that ahead of Feb. 27.

Would that be enough for Suter to sign after the season?

“We have a lot of good players in our room,” Suter said. “Not saying you gotta go out and get a big-name guy — just the right piece.

“I want [to] help our team win the Stanley Cup and being in a place that we can go get more players and the pieces we need to help us win,” Suter added.

Those quotes all focus on the desire to improve the current Predators roster and make every effort to win the Stanley Cup this season.

Funny thing is that’s not the first impression from players within the League or media members across the League.  Their questions all tend to paint the Predators as a team either unwilling or unable to pay Ryan Suter (and eventually Shea Weber) what he would command and truly make every effort to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Look at comments by former Predators captain Kimmo Timonen via ESPN.com’s Craig Custance:

“It’s not easy,” Timonen said. “I’m sure these two guys want to stay in Nashville. I wanted to stay in Nashville, too. Sometimes it comes to money and business and that side of things. I’m sure these guys are talking to the team and trying to see, ‘Is there any way we can work this thing out?’ If not, then you have to move on. It’s a bad part of the business but it has to happen.”

Would you like to see the doubt expressed by the Predators current captain, Shea Weber, via LeBrun?

“I think that’s the hardest part, you look at the past and seeing guys go through your team like Forsberg, Timonen, Hartnell — you go down the list, all you see is guys leaving,” Weber said. “You want to believe him [Poile], they’ve got the right things in mind. If they say they’re going to do it [increase payroll], then they should do it and we’ve got to trust them.”

How about an Eastern Conference GM?  Do you think they are convinced that the Predators will be able to compete at an elite level financially?  Look at this comment in Frank Seravalli’s blog today:

“The consensus among us is that Nashville will be hanging onto him, even if they know the odds are not in their favor of re-signing him,” one Eastern Conference GM told the Daily News on condition of anonymity. “If he does decide to trade him, [David] Poile has the market cornered. There are very few defensemen of Suter’s caliber in the league and Nashville has two of them.

“You have to wonder whether the Predators can continue to trade away their top players for prospects because they can’t afford to pay them.”

How is David Poile supposed to combat that?  This is what he told LeBrun:

“That’s the conversation we’ve been having,” Poile told ESPN.com via phone Friday, a few hours before Suter broke his news. “Those days are past. We have new ownership in place. They’ve made a commitment to me and the players and both Ryan and Shea know that, because of the dollars they’re going to be getting and what we need to do to win that Cup, we’ll be spending what is necessary to contend.”

“I know we’re one of the lowest payrolls this year, but going forward that will no longer be the case,” stressed Poile.

And while Poile doesn’t have to worry about convincing us in the media, it’s plainly obvious that he still has a lot of convincing to do with both Suter and Weber.  It’s also quite clear from the comments of Suter, Weber, and Timonen that players take note of teams constantly letting their core players go to market.

David Poile is correct in that Nashville has new ownership.  That ownership group has done truly remarkable things since they bought the team.  One thing they’ve never done however is spend beyond the midpoint of the cap.  They also aren’t noted as having the deepest pockets among other owners across the League.

Now, Poile and the ownership group have to convince two of their cornerstones that they have the money to sign both of them- that’s the easy part.  More importantly they have to convince those two cornerstones that they have the money to do what it takes to put the Predators in the best possible position, year after year, to compete for the Stanley Cup.

Ryan Suter is trying to tell David Poile and the ownership group that starts with this year’s trade deadline.  If the reports that David Poile has no intention to trade Suter are correct, then he’s starting to understand that trading Ryan Suter prior to the deadline does more to set back this franchise beyond losing one of the top defenseman in the League.  It’s stating a message to every player that Nashville can’t do what it takes to make players believe in Nashville as a team on which they have every chance to win a Cup.  That’s why it would be a mistake to trade Suter.

If Suter walks, he walks.  Get what you can at the draft and move on.  Winning teams do what’s necessary to replace the missing pieces.  Look no further than Pittsburgh and Detroit after Marian Hossa left.  The mentality of worrying too much about players leaving is what the non-contenders do.

David Poile has to stop selling hope and words.  Now he actually needs to start showing commitment.

David Singleton

You are invited to follow me on Twitter (@SingletonPreds).  For game recaps of all Predators games as well as great insights on the Predators and the NHL, check out my HockeyIndependent colleague, Mark Willoughby (@TheViewFrom111).

On December 12, 2010 in Michigan Stadium, 113,411 in attendance saw the Michigan Wolverines beat the Michigan State Spartans 5-0 at the "Big House" in Ann Arbor. It's all but official that the Detroit Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in next year's Winter Classic. Photo by cariberry.

To quote Kent Dorfman, aka Flounder from the classic movie Animal House when the Deltas crashed the Homecoming parade, “Oh, boy is this great!”.

It’s the worst-kept secret in the NHL, but the cat will be officially be out of the bag, most likely during the Detroit Red Wings’ six-game homestand next month, that they will face the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2013 Winter Classic, which will be held at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

This is going to be hockey heaven for not only Red Wings fans, but also for members of the Leaf Nation. Hockey fans north of the border will also be coming in droves from both the Ambassador and Blue Water Bridges.  The plan of Red Wings’ owner Mike Ilitch was to have the event held at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, but the league wants this event to set the attendance record. Not to leave out the hockey fans in Michigan and Ontario, but fans from bordering states and provinces will also want to take part of hockey history.

In the five previous WC contests, a Canadian team has not taken part of this event, but the Leafs would be the first. Many would say that the Leafs should be part of another NHL outdoors event, the Heritage Classic. It’s like the Winter Classic, but it’s on Canadian ice.  On February 20 of last year, the Calgary Flames blanked the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

There were call-ins on the local sports talk shows saying that it was too far from Comerica Park and that it would hurt businesses in the Detroit area.

As far as the pending events in downtown Detroit, Illitch will get his fair share of hockey.  Comerica Park would get a second rink and hold the Maple Leafs/Red Wings Alumni game and possibly the Great Lakes Invitation, which is an NCAA 4-team tournament held every year at the Joe Louis Arena.  The Windsor Star reported that there are talks of an additional game that could pit two of the OHL’s teams, the Windsor Spitfires and the Saginaw Spirit.

Imagine how much money will be made for the actual Winter Classic events. Let’s say that the average ticket price is $45 and 110,000 seats will be filled at the Big House. Add the prices of merchandise sold and together and you get Scrooge McDuck jumping into his pile of money.  It absolutely makes sense that the NHL would want the game in Ann Arbor.

Setting the business aside, as a hockey fan myself who lives about 20 miles away from downtown Detroit and would have to drive almost an hour for the game in Ann Arbor, I definitely have no problem driving almost three times the distance I would normally go for a Red Wings game.  It’s the cause of being a hockey fan. It’s not that often that two of the Original Six teams clash outdoors. It’s not that often these days that the Red Wings and Leafs face each other, but that’s another story.

Plus, the event in Ann Arbor would set the league attendance record that would stand for an eternity and what better place to have it than in Michigan Stadium. The question is what took so long (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)? I got a sample of what it could be like a few months ago when I went to an exhibition game between the Leafs and Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena. There were chants of “Let’s Go Red Wings” followed quickly by “Go Leafs Go.” I’m going to go on a hunch and say that there’s a 99.9999% chance of that happening in Ann Arbor.

What I miss the most is seeing the Leafs and Red Wings square off in the Norris Division, especially in the home and home series. On a Friday night, the two would go at it at the Joe Louis Arena and then the next night, both teams go at it again at the Maple Leaf Gardens on “Hockey Night in Canada”. Those were the good ol’ days. This would be an awesome event, but imagine what the Alumni game would be like?! Where do we start with the lineups?!

If all of this falls into place, it will be hockey heaven and at the end everybody wins. That is, when it’s all official.

That sound you just heard was Predators GM David Poile cracking open a bottle of Maalox.

Suter creates a problem for Poile with this stance because he is an unrestricted free agent July 1, and the risk by not trading him is that the Predators could see one of their All Star defensemen walk away for nothing in return. Suter said,

“I don’t see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something done. I’m a Nashville Predator until July 1. I will focus on making my team better.”

“I’m a Nashville Predator until July 1.”

Sounds ominous doesn’t it.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie said “He’s intimated that he wants to see what the Nashville Predators do between now and the deadline in terms of adding other components that would make the team that much stronger and show that they’re legitimate playoff contenders.”

“Legitimate playoff contenders”?

Currently the Predators have 64 points, solidly in 5th place and just 3 points behind Western Conference leader Detroit.

I think that qualifies as a legitimate playoff contender.

So, David Poile, you know what to do. Pick up the 40 goal scoring left wing hot line and get a “component” in here so that Suter knows the team is committed to being a “legitimate” playoff contender.

If it were that easy.

It’s obvious that the Predators would like to add more scoring punch, a forward that can consistently put the puck in the net.

So would 29 other teams.

To be a team that is a buyer, there has to be a team or teams that are going to be sellers. Looking at the Western Conference, currently Columbus and Edmonton are in a position to be sellers. Anaheim is on the bubble. In the East, potential sellers are Tampa Bay, Buffalo, the Islanders, and Carolina.

Let’s take Columbus as an example, since the Predators are very familiar with them. The two names that jump out a valuable components that would add scoring punch are Rick Nash and Jeff Carter. If GM Scott Howson is inclined to trade either of those two players, you can be certain that there will be substantial assets coming back the other way. Preds GM David Poile could try to package a depth defenseman, draft picks, and maybe a goaltender in the system to try facilitate a trade.

Think that would pry Nash or Carter out of Columbus?

Neither do I.

And this is the dilemma that Poile faces. The Predators are one of the better balanced teams in the NHL, with 9 players that have 10 or more goals. They score by committee, and the sum of their forwards is greater than the individual forwards themselves. To facilitate a trade for a stud forward will require a lot of these players to go back the other way.

Is this addition by subtraction, or is it tampering with a very good team chemistry? That is one of the risks that Poile confronts with trying to satisfy Ryan and land an elite player.

My question to Ryan Suter is this: are the Predators NOT a legitimate playoff contender?

Head Coach Barry Trotz has taken a very young squad and has them 3 points out of the first spot in the West. The Predators are 11-2-2 against Central Division opponents, the best record in the NHL against divisional opponents. Nashville is 5th in the NHL in wins; 2nd on the power play; 12th on the penalty kill; 12th in goals for; and 9th in goals against.

Like I said- sounds legitimate to me.

Is Suter saying he does not have confidence in his teammates to continue to play at the level at which they have been playing?

I don’t think so.

I believe that he is saying some more punch up front is welcome and needed.

I don’t disagree with that assessment.

The corner into which Suter has painted himself, and by extension David Poile, is this: suppose the team adds the components that he- Poile- believes will be what the Predators need to contend for the Cup. Does Poile have to clear this with Suter? Obviously not.

But what if Suter does not think the player or players added to roster are what the Predators need?

“I am a Nashville Predator until July 1.”

Has Suter made himself a de facto GM? I don’t think that was his intention, but that is what he has done with the decision not to sign before the deadline.

The Predators ownership has said they will spend to the cap and do what is necessary to sign the team’s key players, so one would believe that the money is not an issue to sign Suter. With a current payroll just under $50 million, the Predators have the room, and apparently the willingness to sign Suter.

A player’s contract is personal, financial compensation and term that is negotiated between a player and his team. Suter’s requirement that additional players that appear to have to be acceptable to him have removed this negotiation from the realm of the personal and into the realm of the personnel, which is usually the domain of the GM.

By doing this, Suter has exponentially made David Poile’s job more difficult. For Poile, there is no net below this high wire.

Although Poile has said Suter is off the market, I think he has to entertain reasonable offers that will still come for this All Star. He would be foolish not to do so. Poile will still most certainly attempt to lock up Suter, but if he is unable to facilitate a trade or trades that help the team and satisfy Suter, I would not be surprised to see Suter moved before the deadline.

Crack open another bottle of Maalox, David.

With already 64 points in the bank, the Hawks could earn around 100 points for this season. In the 2009-2010 season, a 100 point finish would have been good for fourth place in the Western Conference. As Hawk loyalists remember their favorite club squeaked into the post-season in eighth place with 97 points.

To summarize the first 50 games, the Blackhawks have been streaky and fortunate. Except for the last few weeks, the team has been relatively injury free and has played 29 home games thus far. Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews are well on their way to having great seasons. Rookies Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes have been pleasant surprises.

As a team, the Blackhawks have room to improve although it will be difficult without a couple of solid acquisitions. The lynch pin for a successful campaign and a long playoff run may rest with General Manager Stan Bowman. It will not be any easy task but Bowman will have to find a way to acquire a couple of players who will lift his club to another level.

The biggest concern for the Hawks is their defensive play which must improve if they are going to make a long playoff run. Not only will the defensemen have to tighten up but the forwards will have to be more defensively responsible as well.

Goaltender Ray Emery has been great in a back-up role but Corey Crawford can be better. Blackhawks special teams will need to improve, especially the penalty killing unit. Being able to win more faceoffs would help in many ways.

Even after 50 games it could be thought that the Hawks are still a work in progress.

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5.) Jackets Fail For Nail

– Without question the worst team in hockey through the first half of the season, the Blue Jackets have been an unmitigated disaster all year long. Entering the season most hockey journalists (including myself) had Columbus pegged for their second post-season appearance in franchise history. However, the aforementioned NHL pundits could not have been more wrong. With the acquisitions of Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski not panning out, look for the Blue Jackets to deal one of the two before the deadline. Purely based on Wisniewski’s massive contract, my guess would be Carter moves on for greener pastures elsewhere. The former Flyers’ standout should bring GM Scott Howson a decent haul and will help them continue to build for the future as they trudge along on the “Fail For Nail” campaign.

4.) Kessel Posts 90 Points, Finally Quiets Critics

– Perhaps the most talked about trade in recent Boston sports history, the Bruins–Leafs swap of September 2010 sent crafty winger Phil Kessel to the epicenter of hockey in exchange for three draft selections. Bruins’ GM Peter Chiarelli then used those picks to select forwards Tyler Seguin and Jared Knight as well as defenseman Dougie Hamilton. While Seguin has exploded onto the scene in the Hub, amassing 19 goals and 24 assists through 46 games this season Kessel has truly emerged as one of the league’s most prominent scorers. With 51 points (26G/25A) in 49 games, he and linemate Joffrey Lupul (20G/32A) have completely turned the Toronto franchise around, leading them to a top-eight position in the Eastern Conference. In the second half of this season, I believe that Kessel will easily reach the 40-goal marker and surpass his career high of 64 points to finally justify this trade and quiet the throngs of critics who have harassed the Minnesota native ever since he arrived on the scene in Toronto.

3.) Hitchcock, Blues Continue Magical Run

– Without doubt the biggest positive surprise of any team in the league this season has taken place underneath the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The Blues, who struggled mightily to begin the season under former coach Davis Payne, have been given new life since the arrival of veteran bench boss Ken Hitchcock. With no players in the NHL’s top-50 scoring leaders, the Blues’ team-first philosophy has shown through this season, leading them to the fifth seed in the Western Conference — a comfortable eleven points ahead of ninth place Colorado –. Captain David Backes seems to have his team — a seemingly perfect blend of youth and experience — poised for a deep run through the post-season. In the shocker of the season, I can see the Blues becoming this year’s NHL Cinderella story, upsetting a team or two and making it to the Conference Finals this spring.

2.) Sabres, Habs Continue Rapid Fall From Grace

– Mired in the basement of the Eastern Conference, this season simply has not gone the way fans in Buffalo and Montreal had once thought it would. Currently sitting eight and ten points out of the playoff picture, the Sabres and the Habs have been absolute train-wrecks on ice the entire season. In Montreal, things went awry immediately out of the gate and have only been trending downwards since then. In a year that’s seen the departure of both an assistant coach and a head coach, an unheard of mid-game trade and continuous public outcry for a French-speaking bench boss, the city of Montreal has been an absolute circus all year long. In Buffalo, fans and players alike had Stanley Cup aspirations after new owner Terry Pegula’s ill-advised off-season spending spree. Unfortunately for the hockey-mad folks in Western new York, it just hasn’t quite worked out this season as their beloved Sabres sit tied for dead last in the Eastern Conference. What’s worse? GM Darcy Regier is handcuffed by the insanely generous contracts of Christian Ehrhoff and Ville Leino.

1.) Bruins, Rangers Will Battle For Eastern Conference Crown

– Now I could be getting ahead of myself a bit here but right now all signs are pointing towards an Original Six showdown with a spot in the Cup Finals on the line. Without a doubt the two best teams in the East through the first half of the season, New York and Boston have put together the two best records in the Conference through the first half of the season. Armed with gritty, two-way players who aren’t afraid to put the team before themselves, the B’s and Blueshirts almost mirror one another in terms of playing style. After putting together an instant classic earlier this month at TD Garden, it’d be easy for one to expect three more beautifully played contests between these two squads this season. However, I’m going to take it a step further and say that New York and Boston will once again meet in the Eastern Conference Finals this spring for yet another chapter in the Boston  vs. New York rivalry.

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The Montreal Canadiens were the team that wanted it more and they made a statement by schooling the Red Wings 7-2 in a rare matchup between the two “Original Six” teams at the Bell Centre.

The loss ended the Red Wings’ seven-game winning streak and they are now one game below .500 away from the Joe Louis Arena (13-14-0). With the win, the Canadiens are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings and are eight points behind the final playoff spot.

The Red Wings desperately missed the Captain tonight. Nicklas Lidstrom was out with the flu and for the first time since April 12, 2009, 213 games ago, he missed a regular season contest. It was the 30th game in his career that he didn’t suit up.  It seemed like his teammates who skated in Montreal played like they were sick as well.

Tonight’s version of the Canadiens played like the team from the late 1970s.  No, Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Yvan Cournoyer and Jacques Lemaire weren’t lighting the lamp for Montreal.

Jimmy Howard had a horrible first period by giving up four goals on 12 shots to Rene Bourque, Alexie Emelin, David Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec. As expected, Howard’s night was soon over and he was replaced by Ty Conklin, who didn’t fare any better. Conklin played the rest of the game, but gave up goals to Desharnais, Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole.

On the other side of the ice, the role of Ken Dryden was played by Carey Price who stopped 23 of 25 shots for his 17th win of the season.  In the first period, Price might as well have been browsing today’s edition of the Montreal Gazette because he was rarely tested as he faced six shots.

In the second period, the Red Wings started to gain some momentum and got 12 shots on Price, who stopped them all. They finally got on the board early in the third period when Jiri Hudler scored his first of the two Red Wing goals.

The Detroit Red Wings played a spirited game on home ice this past Monday against the St. Louis Blues. It was action packed the entire game, but if you were to base that on a movie in a game of  Word Association, Predator comes to mind. Now, for anybody who has seen it, it’s a great action movie. It starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had a great supporting cast. It featured Carl Weathers and it provided the film debut of Jesse “The Body” Ventura who said one of the greatest lines in cinematic history: “I ain’t got time to bleed.”

Now we have tonight’s game in Montreal. If Monday’s game was Predator, then tonight’s game was Predator 2—bad and barely watchable. The Red Wings were just plain gassed. Perhaps the game on Monday took a lot out of them. Despite tonight’s performance, they’re still on top of the NHL standings with 67 points.

Jimmy Howard and Pavel Datsyuk are on their way to Ottawa for this weekend’s All-Star Game, while the rest of the team will get some time away from the rink as they recharge their batteries.  Since this will be Howard’s first All-Star game appearance, tonight’s game is a sample size of what he’ll be facing because defense and All-Star Games are like Kim Kardashian and marriage; they don’t belong in the same sentence.

The Red Wings’ next game is six days from now and that is also the first of a four-game road trip that will start in Calgary for a clash with the Flames.

After all – what’s left to write about? Rick Nash trade speculation? Front office firing speculation? Jeff Carter turning from a 40-goal scoring sniper into an emo whose feelings are apparently hurt worse than his shoulder? That time we almost hired Kevin Dineen? Brett Lebda?

No way. I refuse. I’ve decided I’m going to be more positive. And no, that doesn’t mean any “Well Cam Atkinson is doing good in Springfield” or “Ryan Johansen is the next Joe Thorton” nonsense. There is no more looking towards the future for hope. Hope was what I had when purchasing my Jeff Carter jersey on opening night. I thought I was in for a season of Carter roofing pucks on Jimmy Howard, not a season of Carter watching “It Gets Better” videos and filling his beer pong cups with tears while sniffing one of Mike Richards graphic tees “Brokeback Mountain” style.

Hope was what I had when I ranted on HFBoards earlier this year, that the Jackets would make the playoffs as I mocked the Red Wings for getting old. Just think of Nash, Carter, and Wisniewski, all in their primes skating circles around mid-30’s injury prone relics like Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg! The Division is OURS.

No, hope is no more.

But there is something better than hope, and that is taking pleasure in the pain and failures of other organizations, once that aren’t seen as league wide jokes, in which failure is not expected. Which is how I will cope with the rest of the Blue Jackets season. I suggest other fans do the same. Here is my official checklist for Blue Jackets fans, of things to do get through the rest of season.

1.       Don’t just relish in the Shea Weber and Ryan Suter train rumors, but start them. As Jackets fans, we all hate Nashville, with their pesky front office and coaching stability, drafting prowess, elite defense and elite goaltending. It’s so obnoxious of them to have their original draft pick is still contributing while we had the good sense to exile Rusty “Blue Eyes” Klesla to the desert so we could rent Sami Lepisto and Scottie Upshall for a late season losing streak….and then take the money we saved to extend Fedor Tuytin’s House of Turnovers.

But no need to be jealous of all those Brad Pasiley lovers with the urine colored jerseys – They are about to lose their two best players in Suter and Weber. Spread the facts, Jackets fans (and these are facts): Ryan Suter wants to either play for his team USA GM Brian Burke, or an original six team like the Red Wings. Shea Weber has always dreamed about being a Flyer, but privately has said he would consider a long term deal to play on for the Rangers, where he can be closer to his love of Broadway musicals. When starting these trade rumors, just make sure you include one of the brothers Schenn (this makes a trade rumor credible) a first round pick, Nazem Kadri and note the Preds inability to spend to cap and put fans in the seats.

On a sidenote…Colton Gillies > Brandon Yip.

2.       Tune out all coverage of the Blue Jackets, and instead, only read about the Buffalo Sabres. Seriously, they are basically the Blue Jackets turned up to 11. Plus, they actually thought of themselves as cup contenders.

 Struggling goalie? Yep, they’ve got one too – but he’s an all-star who makes twice as much as Steve Mason and treats his post-game media sessions like confessionals on “Celebrity Rehab.”

Horrible defense with baffling contracts? Christian Ehroff got FOUR more years than Fedor “The Turnover” Tyutin and might actually be less productive. Plus at least our UFA signing James Wisniewski’s wife is nice enough to make Thanksgiving dinner for Ryan Johansen. What has Mrs. Ehroff ever done for Zach Kassian?

Big offensive acquisition from the Flyers adjusting to his new team poorly? Check. While Jeff Carter may bolt from fan signings after 10 minutes, at least he can score goals occasionally. Someone might even be willing to trade for his contract if his emotional holdout continues. The Sabres on the other hand, are stuck with Ville Leino for the long haul. He will continue to make more than the city of Buffalo’s gross profit while funneling that money into the Finnish economy. Carter is at least kind enough to stimulate the Columbus economy with generous contributions at Bars in the Arena District.

Bad coaching and general managing? We can sweep our first-time coaches and GMs aside any time we want – but not Buffalo. No, they handed mysterious long-term extensions to both coach and GM, which are apparently so embarrassing, the number of years isn’t even public knowledge. But they at least came out and announced that they weren’t SIX YEAR extensions, so that’s nice. Plus, at least @GMScottHowson is down with tweeting and blogging and occasionally mixes in a shrewd move like trading for Mark Letestu when he isn’t busy burying “the Shermanator” Matt Calvert in the minors.

3.      Laugh at the New Jersey Devils. No, there is no truth that Zach Parise desperately wants to team up with Jeff Carter and Rick Nash to form the “Seventeen Magazine” line. However, he is the captain of the New Jersey Devils and is ready to abandon them in free agency. Some captains pledge allegiance to their organizations and commit long term to avoid the distraction of looming free agency (Rick Nash), and do so without even bothering with all that “needing to see if we can win in the future” crap (also Rick Nash). Others, like good ol’ Zach put their fans through an emotional ringer before bolting for the comforts of Lake Minnetonka. I have been to Devils games, and I have seen the legions of plus-size woman in Parise sweaters. His departure will crush them, their franchise will fall further into financial despair, and Marty Brodeaur will continue to soil his legacy by playing like a Steve Mason terminator sent from the future (directed by McG). Meanwhile, we have the comforts of our Rick Nash contract and loads of incoming casino money.

4.       Pierre Gauthier’s continued employment. There is a one GM in the league with a penchant for giving up promising young defensemen for underperforming, shell-of-their-former-self centers with years left on  their contracts. That man is Pierre Gauthier and as long as he is GM of the Canadians, there is hope we can trade Antoine Vermette straight up for P.K. Subban.

Well, that’s only four things….but really there isn’t much for Jackets fans to do right now except wait to see what the return is for a Carter trade and continue to fail for Nail.

Nashville could have been leading by four goals after the opening 20 minutes instead of only two. The Predators missed the net on prime scoring chances, and Corey Crawford made some nice saves, otherwise Nashville could have put the game away early.

The Hawks didn’t dent the net until 7:20 of the final period on a Dave Bolland power play strike. Nashville net minder Pekka Rinne was the difference, as the Hawks had their chances. The third period charge was too little too late, and the Predators defeated the Blackhawks for the second time in four days. The Nashville defense was solid and blocked 24 Chicago shots.

The Predators were the more cohesive group. They kept the Blackhawks out on the perimeter, and Rinne did the rest. Playing without the injured Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp made a difference, but the outcome may have been the same even with them in the lineup. As has been the case too often this season, the Blackhawks didn’t look ready to start a game. There were too many turnovers in the Hawks’ zone, especially in the opening frame.

Nashville was the more efficient team, except in the faceoff circle. Dave Bolland won 17 out of 20 draws, for a win rate of 85 percent. On the night, the Hawks won 63 percent of all their faceoffs. That was quite an accomplishment considering Toews was out of the lineup. Bolland was taking over for the injured Toews and had a good game centering for Patrick Kane and Viktor Stalberg.

Crawford didn’t appear confident in the early going and he showed his frustration after Nashville took a 2-0 lead. Crawford was vulnerable after a miscue and was beaten from close in. Crawford disgustedly broke his stick over the crossbar after the goal as his emotions got the best of him. To Crawford’s credit, he kept his composure and helped give his club a chance to win.

Crawford and many of his teammates need to rest and recharge during the All Star break.

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Next article will be out on Friday morning.

The Predators were playing their second game in two nights, having defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Monday. The Blackhawks last game was Saturday in Nashville, where the Predators claimed a 5-2 victory.

The Blackhawks were without their Captain, Jonathan Toews, who was placed on IR with a wrist injury. The Predators were without Jerred Smithson and Francis Buillon, both out with upper body injuries.

The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Blackhawks went with Corey Crawford.

Both teams opened the game moving up and down the ice and had some chances that both goaltenders turned aside. The Predators were cycling the puck well and were creating some scoring opportunities, and it was a solid start in enemy territory.

The Predators efforts were rewarded at 11:39 of the first period as Matt Halischuk jumped on a loose puck in the slot. He got the puck to Craig Smith, and he whipped a shot from the face off circle that eluded Crawford with Brandon Yip screening in front to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. This was the rookie Smith’s 11th goal of the season.

The Predators were immediately besieged by the Blackhawks, as they trapped the Predators forwards deep in their zone. The Predators did not yield to the pressure from the Hawks, and were finally able to get the puck out of the zone.

Energized by that defensive stand, the Predators got the puck deep in the Chicago end. Patric Hornqvist dug the puck out of the corner and kicked it to Mike Fisher, who was cruising alone in the slot. His quick wrist shot beat Crawford far post to give the Predators a 2-0 lead at 17:34 of the first period.

The first period ended with the Predators holding a 2-0 lead and both teams recording 10 shots on goal.

Now the Predators faced their persistent demon, a second period that often saw them disappear and allow opponent s to claw their way back into a game. For the Predators, it was going to be critical to have a strong second period and not let Chicago seize back the momentum.

The Predators came out strong in the second period. They used their aggressive forecheck to control the Blackhawks in the neutral zone and prevent their speedy and dangerous breakouts. Their cycle game controlled the puck in the offensive zone and created some good chances. The defense did a good job of clearing the net in front of Rinne, giving him a good look at any shots the Hawks mustered on the net.

The Blackhawks got a good scoring chance as Patrick Kane had a breakaway. Roman Josi hustled back and forced him to alter his shot wide of the net.

Newcomer Brandon Yip showed that he wanted to stick in the line up as he had a good scrap with Steve Montador.

The second period ended scoreless, but it was a strong period for the Predators. Their defense was solid and they controlled the puck for much of the period. The Predators limited the Hawks to 7 shots on goal while logging 10 on the the Chicago net.

The third period was more of the same, as both teams traded chances. The Predators made a mistake that cost them, however, as Mike Fisher went to the box for delay of game. On the ensuing power play, Dave Bolland scored at 7:20 of the third period to make it 2-1 Predators.

For Predator fans, the pucker factor was off the chart.

The Predators took another penalty at 8:31 of the period as Marty Erat was called for a 2 minute penalty for high sticking. The Predators had survived the second period, but the Blackhawks were pushing now, and it was up to the Predators to survive the pressure.

The Predators were able to kill the penalty, but the Hawks were still pressing. It was up to the Predators to respond.

The Predators kept tempting fate as Shea Weber went to the box for elbowing at 15:02. Late in the game, this was not a penalty that just made the task more difficult for the Predators. Once again, the Predators penalty killers were going to have to come up big.

Once again, the PK unit responded to the challenge and did their job, holding the Hawks without a shot. This was huge effort by the Predators.

The Predators had an opportunity to ice the game as Sergei Kostitsyn and Marty Erat broke in 2 on 1, but Erat’s shot hit the crossbar and bounced out.

With 1:51 to go in the game, the Predators caught a break as Chicago was called for too many men on the ice, and the Predators went to the man advantage.

The Predators iced the game with 12 seconds as Colin Wilson buried an empty netter on the power play to make it 3-1. The Predators record against the Blackhawks is now 2-0-1, and against Central Division opponents, the Predators are 11-2-2.

Nashville had 26 shots on goal to 25 for Chicago, but for the Predators, the third period was a matter of tenacity and survival. They showed no quit and refused to fold in the face of the unrelenting pressure from a talented Blackhawks squad. This win was character personified.

For Pekka Rinne, this was his 9th consecutive win, a franchise record.

The Predators are now tied with the Blackhawks with 64 points. The win was the Predators 9th in their last 11 games and allowed them to close the gap on their competitors in the Central Division. The Predators now sit one point out of 4th place behind St. Louis.

This was a solid win, and January has been an exceptional month for the Predators. This win allows the Predators to go into the All Star break feeling good and with momentum. It will be important for the team to pick this momentum right back up after the All Star break.

This team has been growing before our eyes, and the compete level has been getting better in the second half of the season. Young players are quickly growing into prominent roles, and are performing exceptionally well. This is a team that can surprise not only in the regular season but in the playoffs

Keep it rolling after the All Star break, boys.

My three stars:

1. Pekka Rinne

2. Mike Fisher

3. Patric Hornqvist