Predators Game Thread #66 : Nashville @ Atlanta

The Predators need to get back on track against a Thrashers team that is fighting for its playoff life as well. Besides reading your Game Day Preview, we'll want to keep an eye on the out-of-town scoreboard - Calgary plays at Detroit (can't they both lose?), and Vancouver plays Colorado in a battle for Northwest Division supremacy. Let's hope for both of those games to get decided during regulation time, OK?

For your pre-game preparation, listen in as the NHL Network's Mike Johnson joined the Thom Abraham Show this afternoon to talk about the hot-button issue of the day, head shots:

Mike Johnson on Thom Abraham Show 20100309

Nashville Predators Testing Game Day Live Chat

You are also invited to try out a new feature over at NashvillePredators.com, a live in-game chat that's tied to your Facebook account. So be careful about calling Chris Thorburn a knuckle-dragging troglodyte... just in case you've got some aunt you're connected to who is a knuckle-dragging troglodyte, and might take offense.

Nashville's defensive depth tested as Grebeshkov will miss "several weeks"

In what Nashville Predators fans hope isn't a return of the late-season injury bug that has plagued the team for several years now, newly acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov is expected to miss the next several weeks after taking a puck to the groin in Sunday's game against Vancouver. As Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reported, he required surgery afterward.

UPDATE: John Glennon's afternoon blog addresses the uncertainty of the recovery timetable, with input from Preds assistant GM Mike Santos.

Denis Grebeshkov

#37 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

6-0

209

Oct 11, 1983

Shea Weber, of course, is already going to miss tonight's game at Atlanta, but the team is optimistic that he'll return to action later this week. In recent years, however, it has seemed like injuries have hamstrung the Predators in their efforts to qualify for, and succeed in the playoffs...

2007

Steve Sullivan began his two-year absence from the lineup with a back injury in February, and Martin Erat & Scott Hartnell were hobbled by lower body injuries late in the year. Erat missed two games of the playoff loss to San Jose, and Hartnell was clearly not up to speed.

2008

Foot injuries and the flu cost David Legwand more than a dozen games down the stretch, including three games during the Preds' playoff matchup with Detroit. Jason Arnott was concussed by Alexander Radulov in the "2 goals in 9 seconds" celebration, and missed two games as well.

2009

Jason Arnott missed 11 games in March and April due to a concussion, but returned earlier than expected and scored 6 goals in the final four games. David Legwand missed the final 9 games of the season after a deflected Weber shot broke several bones in his face, and another Weber blast broke Martin Erat's leg, causing him to miss the final games as well, as the Preds fell just short of the playoffs.

2010

We know that Grebeshkov is out until the very late stages of the regular season at least, and hopefully Shea Weber gets back in the lineup later this week. Can the Predators survive any more injuries like this, however???

Tuesday's news: Predators stand out in advanced stats

More photos » Mark Humphrey - AP

Nashville Predators center Marcel Goc has enjoyed his best NHL season, and leads the league in one advanced measure of a player's influence on Total Shots For & Against.

Browse more photos »

While we get ready for the stress-filled race to the playoffs to continue tonight in Atlanta, we have word this morning that some of the Nashville Predators lead the way (both positively and negatively) in two advanced measures of player effectiveness.

Radio Note: The Thom Abraham Show will talk with Mike Johnson of the NHL Network in the 4:00 hour this afternoon. Ahead of tonight's game, you can listen to their segment with Colin Wilson from yesterday afternoon, in which he talks about the prospect of playing on the top line with Jason Arnott:

Colin Wilson on Thom Abraham Show 20100308

After the jump, we've also got a TV Note for you, and all of your morning hockey news, which includes the word on the gruesome injury suffered by Denis Grebeshkov, which will keep him out of the lineup for some time...

TV Note: Stay tuned to Fox Sports TN after tonight's game, as the following special will be aired:

Make sure to tune in to FOX Sports Tennessee on March 9 at 9 p.m. CT (following the Predators vs. Thrashers  game at 6 p.m. CT.) for the debut of Under the Lights: Barry Trotz, a 30-minute all-access special spotlighting the Nashville Predators' coach and his game-day routine before a home contest against the Detroit Red Wings.

Under the Lights: Barry Trotz follows the Predators coach through his typical day-of-game routine, from watching tape before morning skate at Bridgestone Arena to a team meeting with the coaching staff to breakdown their opponent and a pre-game workout after lunch.  Trotz also introduces viewers to his wife and children, including eight-year-old Nolan, who has Down's syndrome.  A wireless microphone worn by Trotz during the game against the Red Wings provides unique insight into the emotion and intensity of an NHL match up and how the coach leads his team through a game.

Predators News

The League’s Five Most Inconsistent Goalies - Hockey or Die
Well, at least Pekka Rinne made a Top Five list in something this season. What? This isn't good? Uh oh...

How Consistent Are NHL Goalies? - Hockey or Die
Jonathan Willis then provides a more complete list of NHL goalies, so you can compare how Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis compare this season.

Exceeding Expectations: Top Corsi Overachievers - Behind The Net
For fans of the Erat-Goc-Hornqvist line that was prevalent earlier this season, here's some powerful statistical evidence describing just how effective they've been. Marcel Goc and Martin Erat top Hawerchuk's leaderboard of players who drive Totals Shots For & Against in a positive direction for their team.

Injury jinx follows Grebeshkov - Edmonton Journal
It's too bad we had to get this news through the Edmonton media, but yeow, Denis Grebeshkov's injury is a NASTY one...

Preds 101: This I Used to Believe: Part 1 – This is OUR Time!
Sometimes a long, difficult road trip brings out the best in the Predators, and tonight would be a great time for the team to get things back together.

Things Get Dickensian at Bridgestone Arena: The Canucks vs Nashville - The Hockey Writers
Jas has some good, bad, and ugly from Sunday's loss to Vancouver.

Preds fail to address biggest need once again, so what if… | Section 303
Jeremy calls out David Poile for not acquiring any one of three scoring wingers last summer. His strongest case is perhaps tied to Maxim Afinogenov, although I doubt he would have prospered in Nashville as he has in Atlanta.

Predators injuries prompt Trotz to ask for ‘A’ games - Nashville City Paper
With two regular defensemen down, the Preds need the remaining D (and the forward lines) to step into the gap.

Nashville Predators hope lineup change helps fortunes - The Tennessean
Will another set of line changes shake up the Preds and lead to a complete performance tonight? Barry Trotz sure hopes so...

Around the NHL

GMs' debate: 'Do we take shoulders to the head out of the game?' - USATODAY.com
The only thing that's clear to me is that NHL GM's really don't want to do anything about head shots. They are far more concerned about possible consequences of rule changes than the well-being of players.

Change in playoff rules probably won't have much steam - USATODAY.com
Some of the proposals that get raised at the annual GM meetings are mind-blowingly stupid, and this year, Columbus GM Scott Howson takes the cake with his suggestion that the standings get even more complicated.

What If Everybody in Canada Flushed At Once? | Pat's Papers
A hilarious graphical display of what the Olympic Gold Medal Game meant for Edmonton's water system. Hat tip to Pat Keirnan for sharing this on Twitter (where you can follow me at @Forechecker)>.

Are Expensive Goaltenders worth the Money? - Behind The Net
I, for one, am glad that Pekka Rinne's contract is for only two years. Goaltending is such a tricky area, you don't want to be locked in to a guy who doesn't live up to the billing for a long time.

Modin Conditions Learned (Puck-Rakers Blog)
Wow, Columbus basically gave Fredrik Modin to the Los Angeles Kings for nothing, and I mean "nothing".

Ryan Jones Tears MCL, Out 4 Weeks - The Copper & Blue
Minnesota Wild goon Derek Boogaard has pretty much ended Ryan Jones' season with a flagrant knee shot.

The 100 Man March - Hockey Independent
Between 100-200 New York Rangers fans rallied yesterday to call for the firing of GM Glen Sather, about 10% of the turnout that was hoped for. It wasn't a total failure, though, as Slats signed a couple of them to long-term, multi-million dollar contracts.

Statistics key to business as well as hockey - The Globe and Mail
This isn't really hockey related, but it is hilarious. This business column advises companies to track their statistics like hockey does, to build a path towards success. If a business gathered its data as shoddily as the NHL does, however, it would be in sorry shape.