FanHome - View Single Post - GDT: Predators @ Kings - 12/7/2006

PredDave · December 7th, 2006, 07:06 AM

Nashville (17-7-3) at Los Angeles (10-15-4) : Yahoo! Preview

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2006120708

The loss of goaltender Tomas Vokoun to an injury may be starting to catch up with Chris Mason and the Central Division-leading Nashville Predators.

Nashville looks to avoid losing a season-high fourth straight game when it continues a four-game road trip at Staples Center against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

The Predators (17-7-3) have dropped four straight and eight of nine, including three shutouts, in Los Angeles since March 2001.

Vokoun, the franchise's all-time wins leader with 145, suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb during a 6-0 win over Vancouver on Nov. 23 and isn't expected to return until the end of the month.

With Mason in net, Nashville outscored its opponents 14-8 while winning three in a row. During the losing streak, however, Mason has surrendered 11 goals while the Predators have scored just five times.

Nashville was shut out for the third time this season -- all on the road -- after a 4-0 loss to Anaheim on Wednesday as Mason finished with 28 saves.

To give Mason a rest, Nashville coach Barry Trotz may start Michael Leighton in goal. Leighton, claimed off waivers from Anaheim on Nov. 27, hasn't played in the NHL since 2004 with Chicago and is 8-21 with 10 ties and a 2.96 goals-against average in his two-year career.

Paul Kariya's recent struggles also have mirrored the Predators' recent slide. Kariya, who spent his first nine seasons with the Ducks, was booed by Anaheim fans, didn't have a shot on goal and had a tripping penalty late in the game that led to Chris Kunitz's power-play goal.

"I think he presses a little bit when he plays them because he started his career here and he wants to do well against them," Trotz said of Kariya, who has one assist in his last three games. "I think everyone in the other room recognizes that Paul is a quality player and they try to shut him down."

One team that has struggled to shut Kariya down is Los Angeles (10-15-4). Kariya has four goals and an assist in a three-game points streak against the Kings. He's posted career-bests with 28 goals and 59 points in 51 games against them.

Despite the recent slide, Nashville still has a three-point lead over second-place Detroit in the Central Division.

December 7th, 2006, 07:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Nashville (17-7-3) at Los Angeles (10-15-4) : Yahoo! Preview http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2006120708 The loss of goaltender Tomas Vokoun to an injury may be starting to catch up with Chris Mason and the Central Division-leading Nashville Predators. Nashville looks to avoid losing a season-high fourth straight game when it continues a four-game road trip at Staples Center against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The Predators (17-7-3) have dropped four straight and eight of nine, including three shutouts, in Los Angeles since March 2001. Vokoun, the franchise's all-time wins leader with 145, suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb during a 6-0 win over Vancouver on Nov. 23 and isn't expected to return until the end of the month. With Mason in net, Nashville outscored its opponents 14-8 while winning three in a row. During the losing streak, however, Mason has surrendered 11 goals while the Predators have scored just five times. Nashville was shut out for the third time this season -- all on the road -- after a 4-0 loss to Anaheim on Wednesday as Mason finished with 28 saves. To give Mason a rest, Nashville coach Barry Trotz may start Michael Leighton in goal. Leighton, claimed off waivers from Anaheim on Nov. 27, hasn't played in the NHL since 2004 with Chicago and is 8-21 with 10 ties and a 2.96 goals-against average in his two-year career. Paul Kariya's recent struggles also have mirrored the Predators' recent slide. Kariya, who spent his first nine seasons with the Ducks, was booed by Anaheim fans, didn't have a shot on goal and had a tripping penalty late in the game that led to Chris Kunitz's power-play goal. "I think he presses a little bit when he plays them because he started his career here and he wants to do well against them," Trotz said of Kariya, who has one assist in his last three games. "I think everyone in the other room recognizes that Paul is a quality player and they try to shut him down." One team that has struggled to shut Kariya down is Los Angeles (10-15-4). Kariya has four goals and an assist in a three-game points streak against the Kings. He's posted career-bests with 28 goals and 59 points in 51 games against them. Despite the recent slide, Nashville still has a three-point lead over second-place Detroit in the Central Division.