The Tennessean: Preds shake off the Blues

[SmokeyClause]

From the Tennessean:

It's hard to call any October contest a statement game in the NHL, but the Predators may have at least announced their presence with a 4-1 victory over St. Louis last night.

The Blues have been as hard on the Predators as any team in the league, piling up 16 regulation victories against them, putting together a streak of 10 contests without a regulation loss and often pounding Nashville physically as well.

So it was an encouraging sign for the Predators not only to pull off the win, but also to stand toe-to-toe with their Central Division rivals.

...

Preds shake off the Blues

[Enoch]

Thank you Tennessean! Hopefully this will spark an interest in this state that we have a good hockey club. I love the fact they mentioned the attendance. Where is everyone at??

[BluesConvert]

The "statement game" is tomorrow night. We've handled (particularly when healthy) tougher/faster/better/bigger/more skilled teams (especially in "important games") on a nearly regular basis the last couple of years.

We've also shown a world class ability to choke games away when A) We're playing a less skilled team B) We're coming off a big win and C) The game is an opportunity to make a real stand, and shed the "same-ole-Preds" feeling.

Wanna send a message? Win Saturday. Until then, I'm not terribly interested in last night's "statement".

/bc

[predhead1]

Originally Posted by BluesConvert

The "statement game" is tomorrow night. We've handled (particularly when healthy) tougher/faster/better/bigger/more skilled teams (especially in "important games") on a nearly regular basis the last couple of years.

We've also shown a world class ability to choke games away when A) We're playing a less skilled team B) We're coming off a big win and C) The game is an opportunity to make a real stand, and shed the "same-ole-Preds" feeling.

Wanna send a message? Win Saturday. Until then, I'm not terribly interested in last night's "statement".

/bc

good point bc. If we really want to be a playoff contender then we have to play even-up with teams like Dallas, St. Louis, Detroit and Colorado and really start "preying" on the lesser teams like Columbus, Chicago and Calgary. This weekend will be a good indication of whether this team can do that.

[triggrman]

I don't know if I'd call CBJ a lesser team right now.

[biscuithead]

Originally Posted by triggrman

I don't know if I'd call CBJ a lesser team right now.

I don't think they're as talented or as deep. Plus, we've played a tougher schedule so far. Three playoff teams. They've played Atlanta, NY Rangers, Vancouver and Chicago.

[DocMcKay]

Bconvert really does have a great point. I honestly think the Preds have a better team by far this year than ever before. But before I'm ready to say they've turned over a new leaf, we really need to string some wins together. It's great that we "upset" good teams like the Blues. But the preds have really got to beat up on the less talented teams like Chicago and Pitsburg or whoever sucks this year.

The first prerequisite to being a good team is to beat up on all teams living in the cellar.

[predhead1]

Originally Posted by triggrman

I don't know if I'd call CBJ a lesser team right now.

true - my comment was based on the past few seasons, and in fact I'd include Nashville in that group. But in order for us to prove we are no longer one of the "lessers", we've got to beat up on those that still are - maybe Columbus turns out to be this year's Anaheim, but I'll not give them that benefit just yet.