New York at Nashville 8pm Msg+

New York Islander Fan Central | 12/20/2008 09:55:00 AM | |
AP: Has the preview of tonight's game in Nashville against the Predators.

Nashville Predators
S. Nichol Upper body
S. Sullivan Back
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Nashville Tennessean: Jessica Bliss reports the struggling Predators will have Martin Erat on the checking line tonight.

The Predators have scored only 21 goals in their past 11 games but are 5-4-2 in that stretch. Vern Fiddler has two goals and an assist in his past seven games with a plus-two rating. Captain Jason Arnott has two points and no goals in his past seven games.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ok, here we go again.

Another club with only one win in five games (Dallas) that has scored six goals in four games and has not had a four goal game since November 28th.

Nashville was Steve Stirling's final game as head coach in 2006, nothing would surprise me on that front given the chances this club is giving up combined with the five on five play.

You can bet Barry Trotz is looking at game films, his players will turn it up and look to put up a big number against the defensive system. Every team struggling seems to be able to do it. MacDonald must be upset to play that well and have nothing to show for it, he has to be a little tired also.

Spin the wheel on who gets a call and how late they arrive unless Comeau dresses and they play five defenders. Skinner, Callahan?

This Islander team is in a free fall. I have never seen a version of this club play worse (were talking thirty years) at even strength including last year when they could not score but at least played some defense to keep them in games.

This year we have a club that cannot score at even strength but looks just as bad on the defensive end. Only thing they have going is that powerplay goal a game.

Seems most of the games they have been competitive lately the other club is not playing very well themselves or just having an off night (Flyers/Caps) and not putting in their best game.

Another two weeks of this they are going to be double-digits out of fourteenth.

Maybe for this game we can get some sound.


Updated 12:40pm

For those wondering Erik Erlendsson reported here Jussi Jokinen has cleared waivers this afternoon and will play tonight against Atlanta. Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton said that as of now there is no intention of sending down to AHL Norfolk and possibly putting him on recall waivers.

AHL.com: Reports Joe Callahan was called up to replace Andy Sutton.





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