GDT: Predators @ Sharks - 12/9/2006 - 9:30pm CST

PredDave · 12-09-2006, 04:06 PM

TONIGHT'S MATCH-UP

WHO: Nashville Predators (18-7-3) vs. San Jose Sharks (20-9-0)

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: HP Pavilion at San Jose, San Jose, Calif.

TONIGHT THE PREDS WEAR: White

TV: FSN South (Comcast cable Ch. 28 in Davidson and Williamson counties)

RADIO: WGFX 104.5-FM; SATELLITE RADIO: XM Radio Ch. 204

PredDave · 12-09-2006, 04:07 PM

** snippets from NashvillePredators.com website....

Tonight the Nashville Predators visit the San Jose Sharks for the second meeting of the season between the two clubs, who faced off in the first round of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nashville won the first meeting at home on Oct. 26, when Scott Hartnell scored with 2:29 remaining to secure a 4-3 victory.

Game time tonight is 9:30 p.m. CT and the action will be broadcast in the Nashville area on FSN South (Comcast Cable Ch. 28 in Davidson and Williamson counties) and WGFX 104.5-FM.

After the Predators took Game 1 of April's best-of-seven playoff series, the Sharks' large forwards--particularly centers Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau--were key in San Jose winning four straight to end the series. During the off-season, the Predators eliminated some question marks in the size department by adding 6'4", 220-pound center Jason Arnott and 6'5", 214-pound center Josef Vasicek. Arnott, who is currently on injured reserve following knee surgery, will miss the game, but the Predators come into tonight's tilt with confidence after a 4-1 win in Los Angeles on Thursday.

This game wraps up a four-game road trip for the Predators (18-7-3), who are 1-2-0 through the first three games. Nashville still holds a three-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division standings and ranks second in the Western Conference in goals per game with an average of 3.32. Leading scorer Steve Sullivan is doubtful for tonight's contest after a groin injury suffered Thursday in Los Angeles, as is center David Legwand, who has a hand injury.

San Jose (20-9-0) is in the middle of a three-game homestand. The Sharks have lost their last two games after a streak of five wins. The club has the second highest point total (40) in the Western Conference but are still 10 points behind Pacific Division leader Anaheim. Thornton and Marleau are currently No. 1 and 2 atop the scoring leaderboard for San Jose while sophomore forwards Milan Michalek and Steve Bernier are next on the list.

Nashville's all-time regular-season record against San Jose stands at 13-12-4. The Predators could even their all-time road record against San Jose with a win tonight. It's currently 5-6-3 and the Sharks have won four straight meetings with the Predators in their own building.

PredDave · 12-09-2006, 04:10 PM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2006120918

Nashville (18-7-3) at San Jose (20-9-0)

The Nashville Predators have been tough to beat on the road this season, but winning at San Jose has not been easy for them in recent years.

The Predators try to wrap up their four-game road trip with their first win at HP Pavilion in four years when they visit the Sharks on Saturday.

Nashville (18-7-3) defeated the Sharks 4-3 on Oct. 26, but has lost its last four games at San Jose (20-9-0). The Predators have not won there since a 4-2 win on Dec. 7, 2002.

The Predators improved to 12-6 on the road this season with a 4-1 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday.

PredDave · 12-09-2006, 04:19 PM

PREDATORS AT SAN JOSE SHARKS

• Where: HP Pavilion.

• When: 9:30 p.m.

• TV: Fox Sports Net.

• Radio: 104.5-FM

• Season series: Predators lead 1-0.

• Predators storyline: Nashville leads the league with 12 road wins this season. … Nashville has lost six straight games in HP Pavilion — two in last season's playoffs and four regular-season games. … Rookie forward Alexander Radulov has played in just 14 games, but his eight goals are tied for second-best on the team. … Nashville has outscored opponents 40-16 in the second period of games this season.

• Sharks storyline: The Sharks have lost two straight games after rattling off five consecutive wins. … San Jose's power play is connecting at a 22.6 percent success rate, second-best in the league behind Anaheim. … Center Joe Thornton leads the Sharks with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists), while center Patrick Marleau is right behind with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists). … Right wing Jonathan Cheechoo, who led the NHL with 56 goals last season, has eight in 23 games this season. … Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is one of the league's top rookies, averaging more than 21 minutes ice time per game.

• Predators injuries: RW Scottie Upshall (groin), C Jason Arnott (knee), C David Legwand (hand), LW Steve Sullivan (groin) and G Tomas Vokoun (thumb) are out.

• Sharks injuries: C Marty Smith (ankle) and D Doug Murray (upper respiratory infection) are out, and D Kyle McLaren (lower body) is questionable.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs..../1028/sports02

PredDave · 12-10-2006, 01:01 AM

I rarely whine about poor officiating, but tonight was really bad. The Sharks did not deserve to win -- the ref's simply handed them the 2 points! I believe I saw the ref get handed a suitcase full of money by Ron Wilson after the game was over....

Oh well, the Sharks will get their due revenge for sure...

Go Preds! We'll get 'em next time...

PredDave · 12-10-2006, 01:18 AM

Okay, I've had a chance to cool off and gather my thoughts after this disappointing loss, but I still believe the Preds played a pretty solid game.

We had several shots ring of the posts that clearly beat Nabokov, but sometimes you just get those lucky breaks and sometimes you don't...

The Hartnell Delay of Game penalty late in the third period was absolute BS. That gave the Sharks a 5 on 3 PP and you could just feel that the Sharks would capitalize. I despise Cheechoo and Joe Thornton is a complete tool, but they found a way to beat us on score sheet, so congrats to them.

Better luck next time.... and why couldn't Detroit lose to Toronto?

PredDave · 12-10-2006, 12:11 PM

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs..../61210002/1028

Home has seldom looked as good to the Predators as it must have early this morning, when they were scheduled to touch down after a lengthy cross-country flight.

The NHL’s road warriors have spent much of this season trashing their opponents’ living rooms, picking up more wins away from home than any other team in the league.

But their 3-1 loss to San Jose on Saturday dropped the Predators to 1-3 on this West Coast swing and to 1-3-1 in their last five games overall.

One could also say the Predators came limping back home, having lost the services of forwards David Legwand and Steve Sullivan since the team last played in Nashville.

"It's a disappointing way to finish," Predators center Scott Nichol said. "It was a long road trip but I still think we had a great effort tonight."

The Predators (18-7-4) put forth a good effort to wind up the road swing, but the final outcome was a familiar one. San Jose has now beaten the Predators seven straight times at HP Pavilion — a stretch that includes five regular-season contests and two playoff games in 2006.

"It's been a tough place because they've had very good teams," Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "They've had big teams that could skate, they've been pretty strong."

LemaireisGOD · 12-10-2006, 04:33 PM

I watched a good portion of this game, and it just demonstrates what makes the Sharks so dangerous. Fast, young, big, deep, and talented...it's a pretty tough combination to deal with. While this team isn't as high flying as the Sabres, the Sharks easily the best BIG team in the NHL. Few teams are as well rounded. Good veteran defenseman sprinkled through a group of some younger blueliners. Same goes for their forwards. All in all they're extremely difficult to match up against. Its hard to say who is a tougher matchup...the Ducks or the Sharks. IMO they're two best teams in the West from top to bottom. No offense to the Predators or my Wild; but neither of our teams have the depth, skill, size and speed that these two teams do. Just a thought...GO WILD!!!

12-09-2006, 04:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	GDT: Predators @ Sharks - 12/9/2006 - 9:30pm CST TONIGHT'S MATCH-UP WHO: Nashville Predators (18-7-3) vs. San Jose Sharks (20-9-0) WHEN: 9:30 p.m. CT WHERE: HP Pavilion at San Jose, San Jose, Calif. TONIGHT THE PREDS WEAR: White TV: FSN South (Comcast cable Ch. 28 in Davidson and Williamson counties) RADIO: WGFX 104.5-FM; SATELLITE RADIO: XM Radio Ch. 204

12-10-2006, 04:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
LemaireisGOD Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 504	I watched a good portion of this game, and it just demonstrates what makes the Sharks so dangerous. Fast, young, big, deep, and talented...it's a pretty tough combination to deal with. While this team isn't as high flying as the Sabres, the Sharks easily the best BIG team in the NHL. Few teams are as well rounded. Good veteran defenseman sprinkled through a group of some younger blueliners. Same goes for their forwards. All in all they're extremely difficult to match up against. Its hard to say who is a tougher matchup...the Ducks or the Sharks. IMO they're two best teams in the West from top to bottom. No offense to the Predators or my Wild; but neither of our teams have the depth, skill, size and speed that these two teams do. Just a thought...GO WILD!!! __________________ "Why mess around with PT Boats when you can have a Destroyer?" ~ Al Strachan (Hockey Night in Canada)

12-09-2006, 04:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	** snippets from NashvillePredators.com website.... Tonight the Nashville Predators visit the San Jose Sharks for the second meeting of the season between the two clubs, who faced off in the first round of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nashville won the first meeting at home on Oct. 26, when Scott Hartnell scored with 2:29 remaining to secure a 4-3 victory. Game time tonight is 9:30 p.m. CT and the action will be broadcast in the Nashville area on FSN South (Comcast Cable Ch. 28 in Davidson and Williamson counties) and WGFX 104.5-FM. After the Predators took Game 1 of April's best-of-seven playoff series, the Sharks' large forwards--particularly centers Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau--were key in San Jose winning four straight to end the series. During the off-season, the Predators eliminated some question marks in the size department by adding 6'4", 220-pound center Jason Arnott and 6'5", 214-pound center Josef Vasicek. Arnott, who is currently on injured reserve following knee surgery, will miss the game, but the Predators come into tonight's tilt with confidence after a 4-1 win in Los Angeles on Thursday. This game wraps up a four-game road trip for the Predators (18-7-3), who are 1-2-0 through the first three games. Nashville still holds a three-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division standings and ranks second in the Western Conference in goals per game with an average of 3.32. Leading scorer Steve Sullivan is doubtful for tonight's contest after a groin injury suffered Thursday in Los Angeles, as is center David Legwand, who has a hand injury. San Jose (20-9-0) is in the middle of a three-game homestand. The Sharks have lost their last two games after a streak of five wins. The club has the second highest point total (40) in the Western Conference but are still 10 points behind Pacific Division leader Anaheim. Thornton and Marleau are currently No. 1 and 2 atop the scoring leaderboard for San Jose while sophomore forwards Milan Michalek and Steve Bernier are next on the list. Nashville's all-time regular-season record against San Jose stands at 13-12-4. The Predators could even their all-time road record against San Jose with a win tonight. It's currently 5-6-3 and the Sharks have won four straight meetings with the Predators in their own building.

12-09-2006, 04:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2006120918 Nashville (18-7-3) at San Jose (20-9-0) The Nashville Predators have been tough to beat on the road this season, but winning at San Jose has not been easy for them in recent years. The Predators try to wrap up their four-game road trip with their first win at HP Pavilion in four years when they visit the Sharks on Saturday. Nashville (18-7-3) defeated the Sharks 4-3 on Oct. 26, but has lost its last four games at San Jose (20-9-0). The Predators have not won there since a 4-2 win on Dec. 7, 2002. The Predators improved to 12-6 on the road this season with a 4-1 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday.

12-09-2006, 04:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	PREDATORS AT SAN JOSE SHARKS • Where: HP Pavilion. • When: 9:30 p.m. • TV: Fox Sports Net. • Radio: 104.5-FM • Season series: Predators lead 1-0. • Predators storyline: Nashville leads the league with 12 road wins this season. … Nashville has lost six straight games in HP Pavilion — two in last season's playoffs and four regular-season games. … Rookie forward Alexander Radulov has played in just 14 games, but his eight goals are tied for second-best on the team. … Nashville has outscored opponents 40-16 in the second period of games this season. • Sharks storyline: The Sharks have lost two straight games after rattling off five consecutive wins. … San Jose's power play is connecting at a 22.6 percent success rate, second-best in the league behind Anaheim. … Center Joe Thornton leads the Sharks with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists), while center Patrick Marleau is right behind with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists). … Right wing Jonathan Cheechoo, who led the NHL with 56 goals last season, has eight in 23 games this season. … Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is one of the league's top rookies, averaging more than 21 minutes ice time per game. • Predators injuries: RW Scottie Upshall (groin), C Jason Arnott (knee), C David Legwand (hand), LW Steve Sullivan (groin) and G Tomas Vokoun (thumb) are out. • Sharks injuries: C Marty Smith (ankle) and D Doug Murray (upper respiratory infection) are out, and D Kyle McLaren (lower body) is questionable. http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs..../1028/sports02

12-10-2006, 01:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	I rarely whine about poor officiating, but tonight was really bad. The Sharks did not deserve to win -- the ref's simply handed them the 2 points! I believe I saw the ref get handed a suitcase full of money by Ron Wilson after the game was over.... Oh well, the Sharks will get their due revenge for sure... Go Preds! We'll get 'em next time...

12-10-2006, 01:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Okay, I've had a chance to cool off and gather my thoughts after this disappointing loss, but I still believe the Preds played a pretty solid game. We had several shots ring of the posts that clearly beat Nabokov, but sometimes you just get those lucky breaks and sometimes you don't... The Hartnell Delay of Game penalty late in the third period was absolute BS. That gave the Sharks a 5 on 3 PP and you could just feel that the Sharks would capitalize. I despise Cheechoo and Joe Thornton is a complete tool, but they found a way to beat us on score sheet, so congrats to them. Better luck next time.... and why couldn't Detroit lose to Toronto?

12-10-2006, 12:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs..../61210002/1028 Home has seldom looked as good to the Predators as it must have early this morning, when they were scheduled to touch down after a lengthy cross-country flight. The NHL’s road warriors have spent much of this season trashing their opponents’ living rooms, picking up more wins away from home than any other team in the league. But their 3-1 loss to San Jose on Saturday dropped the Predators to 1-3 on this West Coast swing and to 1-3-1 in their last five games overall. One could also say the Predators came limping back home, having lost the services of forwards David Legwand and Steve Sullivan since the team last played in Nashville. "It's a disappointing way to finish," Predators center Scott Nichol said. "It was a long road trip but I still think we had a great effort tonight." The Predators (18-7-4) put forth a good effort to wind up the road swing, but the final outcome was a familiar one. San Jose has now beaten the Predators seven straight times at HP Pavilion — a stretch that includes five regular-season contests and two playoff games in 2006. "It's been a tough place because they've had very good teams," Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "They've had big teams that could skate, they've been pretty strong."