Predators Not Saros (Sorry), Devour Penguins, 4-1

Excuse the clunky take-off on a Reese’s Cup commercial. I couldn’t resist.

In a battle of the mustard-gold uni’s, our Penguins got a heaping (and perhaps unwelcome) helping of playoff-style hockey last night in the Music City. The results weren’t pretty.

Living up to their “Smashville” alias, the Predators played a smash-mouth game and gave our guys a pretty thorough going over, both physically and on the scoreboard. Flexing their muscles, the Preds pounded us to the tune of a 36-14 advantage in hits. Like running into the New York Islanders on steroids.

They were especially hard on our captain, Sidney Crosby, targeting him on numerous occasions. Especially after a retaliatory slash on big Mattias Ekholm. While Sid, no shrinking violet, gave as good as he got, I so wish we had someone in our lineup who could serve as a deterrent. Instead we got Dominik Simon. More on that later.

In an effort to revive Evgeni Malkin (pointless in four games going in), coach Mike Sullivan broke up our uber-productive top line, moving Bryan Rust to Geno’s right flank and elevating Evan Rodrigues to Sid’s wing. The results were mixed at best. Although both lines shone in terms of possession, I’m not sure if they passed the eye test.

Still, the Pens gave a reasonably good account of themselves through the first 20 minutes. However, in the waning seconds of the period the Preds ran a set play and our backside defense crumbled like a chocolate Bundt cake at a kid’s birthday party, resulting in a tally by Ekholm with a fraction of a second left.

The Pens never really recovered.

We did knot the score with six minutes remaining in the second period on a pretty play by the Crosby line. Sid won a faceoff in the left circle and drew it back to Kris Letang at the left point. Tanger slipped a gorgeous diagonal pass to Jake Guentzel, stationed in the right circle. Jake wired the puck over Juuse Saros’ right shoulder for the game-tying goal.

Our moment in the sun was all-too-brief. The Pens appeared to let up and the Preds took full advantage. A hundred ticks after we tied it up they retook the lead on a seeing eye center-point blast from backline stud Roman Josi that made its way through a maze of players and past Casey DeSmith, courtesy of a handsy deflection by rookie Tanner Jeannot.

Eighty-three seconds after that Letang and Mike Matheson converged on a loose puck at center point in Keystone Kops fashion, narrowly avoiding an ugly collision at the last millisecond. Unfortunately, they avoided the puck as well. Eeli Tolvanen sped in on a breakaway and beat DeSmith to make it 3-1 bad guys. Pretty much sealing our fate.

The Pens did put on an obligatory third-period push, outshooting the Preds 13-4. But all we had to show for our efforts was an empty-net goal yielded to Yakov Trenin to run the final score to 4-1.

Game, set and match to the Preds.

Puckpourri

In many ways this game was the Mr. Hyde to Sunday’s Dr. Jeykll victory over Carolina. Statistically, we controlled the tempo, enjoying an edge in shot attempts (62-48), shots on goal (36-25), scoring chances (30-18) and high-danger chances (12-7). But Saros was the difference. He was outstanding.

I don’t fault DeSmith on any of our goals. He was totally screened on the first two Nashville tallies and faced down a breakaway on the third. He also snuffed Jeannot on a breakaway attempt late in the second period to keep us in the game.

Following an extended hot steak, our power play is sputtering a bit. We’re oh for our last seven man advantages, including 0-for-4 last night. On the flip side, the penalty kill has improved with Teddy Blueger back in the fold.

Despite the loss, the Pens are 5-2-1 in their present run against playoff contenders. Overall, we’re 36-16-9, good for 81 points, and are tied with the Rangers for second place in the Metro, six behind Carolina. On deck…a visit to St. Louis on Thursday night.

Opinyinz

I know this is going to seem like a ‘hit’ piece and I sincerely don’t mean it to be. Bear in mind that my frustration is more with our coach than the player. But I’m done with Simon.

D-O-N-E.

I realize Simon was pressed into service due to an illness to Zach Aston-Reese. And, yes, he hustles and scrambles and helps drive possession. But possession doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if you can’t contribute on the score sheet. Ever. I’m in total agreement with Other Rick. Simon will be a total nonfactor come the postseason.

Count me among those who’d prefer a hammer in that spot. We could’ve sorely used some pushback against the Preds, especially with the way they came at Sid. It would be nice to make the opposition feel a little pain for a change.

It’s time to end this love affair once and for all and take Simon out of Sullivan’s tool kit (he can’t resist using him). Either send him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (he’s on a two-way contract) or release him outright.

If you’re looking for a warm body to have on hand in case of injury/illness, call up Anthony Angello, who I still think can play. If you’re looking for a player who can rotate into the lineup and contribute, Valtteri Puustinen’s your guy.

We know what Simon can do…and can’t do. Let’s give someone else a shot.