Nashville's formula for success has become easily apparent. The Predators hardly lose within the division. Once again they found a way to win in the Central Divison with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
With Nashville's victory over Chicago, the Predators moved to 11-2-2 overall in the Central Division. Because of this, they've been able to make up some ground on the teams in the division. And with their victory over the Blackhawks, Nashville jumped Chicago in the standings. Before the game, Predators coach Barry Trotz said Nashville's midseason goal was to catch the Hawks. That goal has been realized. Both teams have 64 points.
Overall, the Predators have won 12 of 14 games. As of Tuesday, they were three points back of Detroit for the best record in the NHL.
Nashville's game-changing players have come from their defensive end of the ice. The Predators have gotten on this hot streak mostly with defense, allowing 24 goals in their last 14 games.
In G Pekka Rinne's last 13 games, he has allowed 21 goals. In those contests, the Predators have lost only once.
Nashville has three players going to All-Star weekend in D Ryan Suter, D Shea Weber and C Craig Smith. Fortunately for Nashville, the player they need to rest the most -- Rinne -- isn't going. This is important for him, since he has started all but five games this season.
NOTES, QUOTES
Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks was the final contest for the Predators before the All-Star break. Through 50 games, the Predators have 64 points, three more points than they had the year before through the same number of games. Tuesday's game against Chicago provided the Predators with a chance to pull even with the Hawks in the standings.
"We haven't focused on anything behind us. That has been a change for us the last year, or so," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We're looking ahead all the time. We know if we play well (and) we win our games, we're going to pass some teams."
D Francis Bouillon missed his second consecutive game with what the Predators called an "upper body" injury. Bouillon first injured the issue against the Blackhawks on Saturday. Bouillon made the trip to Chicago to be around his teammates.
"It's getting better. I can see some improvement, but probably not tonight," Bouillon said on Tuesday morning. "We have a good break, so I'm going to have time to recover. It just sucks to have an injury."
The Jan. 29 All-Star Game in Ottawa will be a strangely proud moment for the Nashville franchise. With the addition of Flyers LW Scott Hartnell to the team, the Predators will have a total of four players -- past and present -- playing in the game. Flyer D Kimmo Timonen is a former Predator and also on the team. D Shea Weber and D Ryan Suter were also selected to join the squad. C Craig Smith is a rookie and will take part in the skills competition only.
"I think as he has matured as a player, he is becoming more of a complete and productive player," Predators coach Barry Trotz said of Hartnell. "He'll be a great personality at the All-Star Game, because he is personality."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"There's a lot of good things happening with our team. There's something special developing. Goaltending is not an issue with our team and we have two of the best young defensemen on the planet right now and some developing forwards that give us a lot of depth." -- Nashville coach Barry Trotz.
ROSTER REPORT
D Ryan Suter continued his strong play since his return from an "upper body" injury. Suter had his third point in his last two games and played a game-high 28:24.
C Mike Fisher notched his fourth goal in his last four games. In that same span, Fisher has five points.
C Craig Smith notched his third point in his last three games, thanks to a goal on Tuesday. In his previous 10 games Smith had three total points.
MEDICAL WATCH
D Francis Bouillon (upper body) is day-to-day
LW Jerred Smithson (upper body) is day-to-day
