GDT: Predators @ Blackhawks - 12/20/2006 7:30pm CST

PredDave · 12-19-2006, 08:17 AM

TONIGHT'S MATCH-UP

WHO: Nashville Predators (22-8-3) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (14-13-5)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: United Center, Chicago, Ill.

TONIGHT THE PREDS WEAR: White

TELEVISION: no coverage

RADIO: WGFX 104.5-FM; SATELLITE RADIO: XM Ch.206, SIRIUS Ch. 128

PredDave · 12-20-2006, 12:39 PM

GAMEDAY: Preds at Blackhawks, 7:30PM
December 20, 2006

The Nashville Predators will be looking to exact some revenge on the Chicago Blackhawks when the two Central Division rivals meet tonight at the United Center. Game time is 7:30 p.m. CT and the action will be broadcast on WGFX 104.5-FM.

It will be the fourth meeting of the season between the clubs, who will face off a total of eight times in 2006-07. Nashville is 0-2-1 so far against the Hawks. The two regulation losses came during the first three games of the season. Nashville lost the season opener at home to the Blackhawks 8-6 on Oct. 5, then lost a 3-1 decision in Chicago on Oct. 12. The most recent game, played at the GEC on Dec. 2, was a 4-3 overtime defeat for the Predators.

"Early in the season we just didn't have our game," Predators head coach Barry Trotz said. "So I take those two games and throw them out the door. The first game [Predators goaltender] Tomas [Vokoun] wasn't real good and we weren't playing the way we should have, and then we were still a little bit on our heels when we went in there for Game 3."

Nashville (22-8-3) has posted a record of 22-5-3 since the Oct. 12 loss in Chicago. Wingers Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan are tied for the team lead in points with 32 and goaltender Chris Mason is 8-3-1 while starting the last 12 straight games for the Predators.

Chicago (14-13-5) has been getting its own stellar goaltending. Nikolai Khabibulin is 7-1-2 in his last 10 starts, with a 1.97 goals against average and a .929 save percentage over that span. The Blackhawks, who replaced head coach Trent Yawney with NHL Hall of Famer Denis Savard on Nov. 29, have captured at least one point in 10 of their last 11 games, going 7-1-3. Forward Martin Havlat, a key off-season trade acquisition, has been an offensive force despite missing 19 games with an ankle sprain. He has accumulated 22 points (11g-11a) in 13 games. A number of injuries this season have prompted the club to promote a variety of young, fast skaters--a move that seems to be paying off.

"They're a real good team right now," Trotz said. "The biggest thing to me is they've got real good goaltending. Last year I thought Chicago was going to be a good team. They had a lot of injuries. Those injuries never really came back for them. They fell behind and weren't getting goaltending. This year they're getting goaltending."

PredDave · 12-20-2006, 12:40 PM

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612200440/1028

Predators tonight

• Who: Predators at Chicago Blackhawks

• Where: United Center

• When: 7:30 p.m.

• TV: None

• Radio: 104.5-FM

• Season series: Blackhawks lead 3-0.

• Predators story line: Nashville has won four straight games and five of its last six … The Predators have 13 road victories, second-most in the league behind Buffalo … Nashville has beaten every team in the Western Conference at least once this season, with the exception of Chicago, Anaheim and Dallas … LW Paul Kariya has six points (one goal, five assists) in his last four games and LW Steve Sullivan has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last three games. The two share the team lead with 32 points.

• Blackhawks story line: Chicago has posted a record of 7-1-3 since Coach Denis Savard took over for Trent Yawney … The Blackhawks (14-13-5) are over .500 for the first time since October and are seeking their first three-game winning streak of the season … Right wing Martin Havlat has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in just 13 games. He's posted six points in two games against Nashville … Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is 12-5-2, with a 2.52-goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

• Predators injuries: RW Scottie Upshall (groin), G Tomas Vokoun (thumb) and C Vern Fiddler (shoulder) are out.

• Blackhawks injuries: C Michal Handzus (knee) and G Patrick Lalime (back) are out; D Brent Seabrook (back) is questionable.

PredDave · 12-20-2006, 04:43 PM

We are due for a win tonight against the mighty Hawks!

I just hope the Preds can contain Havlat and Hamilton while being able to pepper Khabibulin with some quality shots on goal!

Good luck Preds....

PredDave · 12-21-2006, 08:01 AM

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=p...062007&gtype=2

Paul Kariya showed off his goal-scoring form that his been missing most of this season.

Kariya scored twice in the third period, and the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.

Kariya's power-play goal with 7:02 left snapped a 1-1 tie. He fired a screened shot from the top of the right circle past goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.

"It's been a tough year goal-scoring wise for me, but tonight I got a couple of breaks," Kariya said. "We were doing a better job in the third period of getting shots through, through traffic or screens or whatever."

PredDave · 12-21-2006, 08:10 AM

http://www.nashvillepredators.com/pr...?story_id=1152

Kariya helps Preds edge Chicago 2-1

Paul Kariya scored twice in the third period to single-handedly overcome a 1-0 deficit and give the Nashville Predators a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday night at the United Center. Goaltender Chris Mason stopped 27 of 28 shots as Nashville defeated the Blackhawks for the first time in four meetings this season.

For the second game in a row, the Predators power play came up empty for much of the contest but connected when the chips were down. Kariya's power-play goal, which came at 12:58 of the third on Nashville's fifth attempt with the man advantage, proved to be the game winner. Nashville's record improves to 23-8-3 for the season.

With Nashville trailing 1-0 early in the third period, Kariya capitalized on a quick transition play to even the game. Chicago's five players got trapped too deep in Nashville's zone while attacking, allowing David Legwand to turn a loose puck up ice to Kariya who had a breakaway from the far blue line. He put a shot high over the shoulder of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to tie the game at 6:41.

Just over six minutes later, with Hawks defenseman Jassen Cullimore in the penalty box for hooking David Legwand, Kariya struck again. He walked off the boards and utilized good screens by Scott Hartnell and Martin Erat to beat Khabibulin with a wrist shot at 12:58. The power-play tally made it 2-1.

Mason was very solid down the stretch, stopped all 25 shots he faced over the final two periods. His best stops came during flurries at the beginning and end of the third. Already on the power play, Chicago pulled Khabibulin with 1:16 remaining in regulation to mount a strong 6-on-4 attack that Mason and the Predators penalty killers thwarted to secure the win--Nashville's fifth in a row.

Martin Havlat scored 14:24 into the game to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead that stood through two periods. Havlat capitalized on a giveaway by the Predators near their own blue line. The talented goal scorer, who already had six points against Nashville this season, walked in one-on-one and moved past defenseman Greg Zanon to snap the puck up and over the stick shoulder of Mason.

Chicago outshot Nashville 4-3 over the course of the opening 20 minutes, with the Predators hitting the post in the early going. Kariya, who extended his point streak to five games, twice came close to setting up Hartnell for a goal in the first, and Hartnell put another chance wide after gathering the rebound of a Josef Vasicek attempt.

Shots picked up in the second period, with Chicago posting 10 in the first eight and a half minutes. Mason held the fort and prevented the Blackhawks from adding to their margin, but his counterpart at the other end, Khabibulin, seemed impenetrable based on his play through 40 minutes. In the second period, Khabibulin stopped Jason Arnott on the doorstep near the 16:00 mark then turned aside a good chance by Scott Nichol around 17:30.

Nashville scored twice on eight shots in the final period to give Mason all the offensive support he would need. Mason was named the game's third star for his efforts, while Kariya took first star honors.

NOTES: Defenseman Kimmo Timonen posted assists on both Nashville goals. His assist on Paul Kariya's power-play goal gives him a team-high 13 power-play points (6g-7a)... With his two goals, Paul Kariya claimed sole ownership of the team scoring lead with 34 points (9g-25a). He also extended his point streak to five games. Kariya has 8 points (3g-5a) over the span. After scoring just six goals over the first 31 games of the season, he now has three goals and a game-deciding shootout marker in his past three games. His power-play tally was his second of the season--both have come in the past three games... Nashville is now 8-3-1 against opponents from its own division... The Predators are now 14-6 in one-goal games... Martin Erat assisted on Kariya's second goal and now has 8 assists in the last 7 games... David Legwand assisted on Kariya's first goal... Goaltender Chris Mason has made 13 straight starts and is 9-3-1 in those games. He has allowed a total of four goals over the past four games.

12-19-2006, 08:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	GDT: Predators @ Blackhawks - 12/20/2006 7:30pm CST TONIGHT'S MATCH-UP WHO: Nashville Predators (22-8-3) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (14-13-5) WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CT WHERE: United Center, Chicago, Ill. TONIGHT THE PREDS WEAR: White TELEVISION: no coverage RADIO: WGFX 104.5-FM; SATELLITE RADIO: XM Ch.206, SIRIUS Ch. 128 Last edited by PredDave; 12-20-2006 at 05:39 PM.

12-20-2006, 12:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	GAMEDAY: Preds at Blackhawks, 7:30PM December 20, 2006 The Nashville Predators will be looking to exact some revenge on the Chicago Blackhawks when the two Central Division rivals meet tonight at the United Center. Game time is 7:30 p.m. CT and the action will be broadcast on WGFX 104.5-FM. It will be the fourth meeting of the season between the clubs, who will face off a total of eight times in 2006-07. Nashville is 0-2-1 so far against the Hawks. The two regulation losses came during the first three games of the season. Nashville lost the season opener at home to the Blackhawks 8-6 on Oct. 5, then lost a 3-1 decision in Chicago on Oct. 12. The most recent game, played at the GEC on Dec. 2, was a 4-3 overtime defeat for the Predators. "Early in the season we just didn't have our game," Predators head coach Barry Trotz said. "So I take those two games and throw them out the door. The first game [Predators goaltender] Tomas [Vokoun] wasn't real good and we weren't playing the way we should have, and then we were still a little bit on our heels when we went in there for Game 3." Nashville (22-8-3) has posted a record of 22-5-3 since the Oct. 12 loss in Chicago. Wingers Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan are tied for the team lead in points with 32 and goaltender Chris Mason is 8-3-1 while starting the last 12 straight games for the Predators. Chicago (14-13-5) has been getting its own stellar goaltending. Nikolai Khabibulin is 7-1-2 in his last 10 starts, with a 1.97 goals against average and a .929 save percentage over that span. The Blackhawks, who replaced head coach Trent Yawney with NHL Hall of Famer Denis Savard on Nov. 29, have captured at least one point in 10 of their last 11 games, going 7-1-3. Forward Martin Havlat, a key off-season trade acquisition, has been an offensive force despite missing 19 games with an ankle sprain. He has accumulated 22 points (11g-11a) in 13 games. A number of injuries this season have prompted the club to promote a variety of young, fast skaters--a move that seems to be paying off. "They're a real good team right now," Trotz said. "The biggest thing to me is they've got real good goaltending. Last year I thought Chicago was going to be a good team. They had a lot of injuries. Those injuries never really came back for them. They fell behind and weren't getting goaltending. This year they're getting goaltending."

12-20-2006, 12:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612200440/1028 Predators tonight • Who: Predators at Chicago Blackhawks • Where: United Center • When: 7:30 p.m. • TV: None • Radio: 104.5-FM • Season series: Blackhawks lead 3-0. • Predators story line: Nashville has won four straight games and five of its last six … The Predators have 13 road victories, second-most in the league behind Buffalo … Nashville has beaten every team in the Western Conference at least once this season, with the exception of Chicago, Anaheim and Dallas … LW Paul Kariya has six points (one goal, five assists) in his last four games and LW Steve Sullivan has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last three games. The two share the team lead with 32 points. • Blackhawks story line: Chicago has posted a record of 7-1-3 since Coach Denis Savard took over for Trent Yawney … The Blackhawks (14-13-5) are over .500 for the first time since October and are seeking their first three-game winning streak of the season … Right wing Martin Havlat has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in just 13 games. He's posted six points in two games against Nashville … Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is 12-5-2, with a 2.52-goals-against average and .917 save percentage. • Predators injuries: RW Scottie Upshall (groin), G Tomas Vokoun (thumb) and C Vern Fiddler (shoulder) are out. • Blackhawks injuries: C Michal Handzus (knee) and G Patrick Lalime (back) are out; D Brent Seabrook (back) is questionable.

12-20-2006, 04:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	We are due for a win tonight against the mighty Hawks! I just hope the Preds can contain Havlat and Hamilton while being able to pepper Khabibulin with some quality shots on goal! Good luck Preds....

12-21-2006, 08:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=p...062007&gtype=2 Paul Kariya showed off his goal-scoring form that his been missing most of this season. Kariya scored twice in the third period, and the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win. Kariya's power-play goal with 7:02 left snapped a 1-1 tie. He fired a screened shot from the top of the right circle past goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. "It's been a tough year goal-scoring wise for me, but tonight I got a couple of breaks," Kariya said. "We were doing a better job in the third period of getting shots through, through traffic or screens or whatever."

12-21-2006, 08:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://www.nashvillepredators.com/pr...?story_id=1152 Kariya helps Preds edge Chicago 2-1 Paul Kariya scored twice in the third period to single-handedly overcome a 1-0 deficit and give the Nashville Predators a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday night at the United Center. Goaltender Chris Mason stopped 27 of 28 shots as Nashville defeated the Blackhawks for the first time in four meetings this season. For the second game in a row, the Predators power play came up empty for much of the contest but connected when the chips were down. Kariya's power-play goal, which came at 12:58 of the third on Nashville's fifth attempt with the man advantage, proved to be the game winner. Nashville's record improves to 23-8-3 for the season. With Nashville trailing 1-0 early in the third period, Kariya capitalized on a quick transition play to even the game. Chicago's five players got trapped too deep in Nashville's zone while attacking, allowing David Legwand to turn a loose puck up ice to Kariya who had a breakaway from the far blue line. He put a shot high over the shoulder of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to tie the game at 6:41. Just over six minutes later, with Hawks defenseman Jassen Cullimore in the penalty box for hooking David Legwand, Kariya struck again. He walked off the boards and utilized good screens by Scott Hartnell and Martin Erat to beat Khabibulin with a wrist shot at 12:58. The power-play tally made it 2-1. Mason was very solid down the stretch, stopped all 25 shots he faced over the final two periods. His best stops came during flurries at the beginning and end of the third. Already on the power play, Chicago pulled Khabibulin with 1:16 remaining in regulation to mount a strong 6-on-4 attack that Mason and the Predators penalty killers thwarted to secure the win--Nashville's fifth in a row. Martin Havlat scored 14:24 into the game to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead that stood through two periods. Havlat capitalized on a giveaway by the Predators near their own blue line. The talented goal scorer, who already had six points against Nashville this season, walked in one-on-one and moved past defenseman Greg Zanon to snap the puck up and over the stick shoulder of Mason. Chicago outshot Nashville 4-3 over the course of the opening 20 minutes, with the Predators hitting the post in the early going. Kariya, who extended his point streak to five games, twice came close to setting up Hartnell for a goal in the first, and Hartnell put another chance wide after gathering the rebound of a Josef Vasicek attempt. Shots picked up in the second period, with Chicago posting 10 in the first eight and a half minutes. Mason held the fort and prevented the Blackhawks from adding to their margin, but his counterpart at the other end, Khabibulin, seemed impenetrable based on his play through 40 minutes. In the second period, Khabibulin stopped Jason Arnott on the doorstep near the 16:00 mark then turned aside a good chance by Scott Nichol around 17:30. Nashville scored twice on eight shots in the final period to give Mason all the offensive support he would need. Mason was named the game's third star for his efforts, while Kariya took first star honors. NOTES: Defenseman Kimmo Timonen posted assists on both Nashville goals. His assist on Paul Kariya's power-play goal gives him a team-high 13 power-play points (6g-7a)... With his two goals, Paul Kariya claimed sole ownership of the team scoring lead with 34 points (9g-25a). He also extended his point streak to five games. Kariya has 8 points (3g-5a) over the span. After scoring just six goals over the first 31 games of the season, he now has three goals and a game-deciding shootout marker in his past three games. His power-play tally was his second of the season--both have come in the past three games... Nashville is now 8-3-1 against opponents from its own division... The Predators are now 14-6 in one-goal games... Martin Erat assisted on Kariya's second goal and now has 8 assists in the last 7 games... David Legwand assisted on Kariya's first goal... Goaltender Chris Mason has made 13 straight starts and is 9-3-1 in those games. He has allowed a total of four goals over the past four games.