Nashville Predators

Monday's Three Stars: Roloson saves Isles; Rangers rout Jackets

No. 1 star: Dwayne Roloson, New York Islanders

Usually, goalies who give up three goals aren't going to be the No. 1 star. But those goalies usually don't face 61 shots. In fact, Roloson's 58 saves in the Islanders' 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs are the most since Ron Tugnutt's 70-save game in March 1991, according to the AP. (Phil Kessel had 12 on his own.) Not bad for a 40-year-old. Josh Bailey had the game-winner in overtime, after the Leafs rallied from a 3-0 hole. 

No. 2 Star: Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers

After the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead, the Rangers used a John Tortorella timeout "just relax" chat and exploded for seven straight goals in a 7-4 victory. Gaborik had two goals (18 on the season) and two assists, including a beautiful helper on Sean Avery's second of the night. Also beautiful: Michael Del Zotto's Leetch-like solo effort for goal No. 3.

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• Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:30 am EST
• Puck Daddy
• By Greg Wyshynski
• 6 Comments

Yes, in fact penalized players have won shootouts before

Earlier today, we blogged about the shootout and how players who are serving a penalty when the 4-on-4 overtime ends should have some form of sanction for the shootout. In the post, reader Cory S. thought it "would be interesting to see just how many penalized players with time remaining to serve have then gone out to score in the shoot out."

Puck Buddy Will, a.k.a. "hockeymaster4789" (sounds like a cyborg Lou Lamoriello unleashes to make players with fat contracts disappear) decided to waste the better part of a morning to meet that challenge, a least for the last two seasons.

What he found are a couple of examples in which a player in the penalty box at the end of the 4-on-4 helped win the game for his team in the shootout; and yes, one of those examples is a certain goaltender for the Dallas Stars pictured here.

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• Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:00 pm EST
• Puck Daddy
• By Greg Wyshynski
• 21 Comments

Martin Erat scores twice as Nashville Predators beat Detroit 3-1

Thanks to two goals from Martin Erat and 30 saves from Pekka Rinne, the Nashville Predators beat Detroit 3-1 for the 10th win in their last 12 games.

• Mon Nov 23, 2009 EST
• On the Forecheck
• By Dirk Hoag

It's time to vote: Nashville Predators MVP, 1st Quarter

The Nashville Predators have gotten significant contributions from a number of players so far - but which of them deserves to be named the team MVP for the first quarter of the season?

• Mon Nov 23, 2009 EST
• On the Forecheck
• By Dirk Hoag

Monday's news: Predators bandwagon gets rolling, as panic sets in elsewhere

With 9 wins in their last 11 games, things are looking up these days for the Nashville Predators, just in time for a showcase game on Versus tonight against Detroit. While the fan base in Music City is getting excited, however, other NHL cities are suffering through darker times.

• Mon Nov 23, 2009 EST
• On the Forecheck
• By Dirk Hoag

Predators Game Day Preview: Detroit @ Nashville

The Detroit Red Wings have dominated the Central Division for almost two decades. Is this the year that the Nashville Predators can climb past them?

• Mon Nov 23, 2009 EST
• On the Forecheck
• By Dirk Hoag

David Legwand gets a goal, an assist, and a baby as Nashville wins 4-3 over Columbus

Nashville Predators center David Legwand enjoyed what is surely one of the most remarkable days any NHL player has ever had, scoring a short-handed goal, earning an assist, and then scoring the game-winning goal in the shootout as the Preds beat Columbus 4-3. All this, after his wife delivered a son less than two hours before game time!

• Sat Nov 21, 2009 EST
• On the Forecheck
• By Dirk Hoag