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Lindholm Seeing More Playing Time

Posted on October 31, 2017September 15, 2020

CENTENNIAL, CO. – Adjusting to the play and style of NHL games is an ongoing process for veterans and rookies alike. There is always something to learn and something to work on as the players try to master their craft.

Rookie defenseman Anton Lindholm is deep in that development process as he prepares for his 20th career NHL game on Thursday, but he has received some extra help lately to aid in his transition to the league.

The 22-year-old has been playing with veteran rear guard Erik Johnsonfor the last two contests, which has allowed him to find his game in the fast-paced NHL.

“Playing with a guy like E.J., your own comfort level and your trust to your D-partner can’t get much higher than playing with a guy like that,” Lindholm said. “Obviously, I can play my game and feel comfortable that if I mess up or if I fail to do anything, I know E.J. is there for support.”

Smith Scores 100th Goal, Preds Beat Blackhawks

Posted on October 28, 2017September 15, 2020

CHICAGO, IL –

Craig Smith‘s 100th career goal proved to be the game-winner as the Nashville Predators defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by a 2-1 final on Friday night at the United Center.

The win is Nashville’s fifth of the season and gives them three out of a possible four points in Chicago this season.

After a first period that saw Nashville outshot 21-7 and allow a shorthanded goal to Chicago, Calle Jarnkrok and Craig Smith gave the Preds a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes, a lead they never relinquished.

“Sometimes you’re going to have a period or shift or whatever that you’re not going to like, but it’s about making the adjustments, stepping up and making the big plays when the time is right,” Smith said. “I thought we did that, we executed well and a win’s a win.”

John Gibson has Healthy Outlook on Eve of Season Opener

Posted on October 19, 2017September 15, 2020

ANAHEIM, CA –

Two definitive outcomes were at stake when the Ducks headed into Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against Nashville at an amped-up, yellow-clad Bridgestone Arena. There was no ambiguity. Nothing left inconclusive.

Win and have the right to play for the Stanley Cup. Lose and the season is over in a blink, another Cup dream dashed. This is the kind of game John Gibson wants on his shoulders. To have everything you work for on the line and the pressure that comes with that.

And yet when Gibson went through that Monday morning in a city bent on having a high-wattage celebration, the Ducks’ goalie was faced with a decision that wasn’t so clear. A decision he wished he didn’t have to make but was forced to when his body wouldn’t cooperate.

As a tender hamstring that forced him out of Game 5 continued to bark at him, Gibson was left with a choice. Playing at all costs might look heroic but what if that backfired and cost the team?

Dylan Larkin evolves into Red Wings’ marathon man

Posted on October 19, 2017September 15, 2020

DETROIT, MI –

Dylan Larkin played more minutes against the Lightning Monday than ever in his career, and his extra work in the offseason is what helped make the night a success.

If Larkin keeps it up, he may turn the ore of a good player into the steel of a great one.

What the Red Wings prize about Larkin, beyond his skill, is his willingness to work. His capacity for it seems to come almost instinctive.

One look at Larkin in the dressing room this early season made plain he is a bigger man, significantly more muscular.

It is the product of extra work in the offseason, and it made his 24:33 time on ice against an offensive juggernaut of a lineup feel routine.

Preds Forward Ryan Johansen Writes on Cheering on the Team During the Final, Raising a Banner Next Week

Posted on October 3, 2017September 15, 2020

NASHVILLE – I stared at the ceiling as I lay in my hospital bed.

Was this really happening to me? Was it all over just like that?

Only minutes before, I was surrounded by screaming fans as my teammates and I tried to tie Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, and now I was surrounded by medical equipment in the hospital with a freakish thigh injury. Even just moments after it happened, I knew coming back to play at any point in the playoffs was probably not going to happen. I was done for the year.

Pierre Edouard Bellemare Heading to Vegas

Posted on September 18, 2017September 15, 2020

LAS VEGAS – Bellemare has been selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, The Athletic’s Craig Custance reports.

Bellemare is quite the underwhelming selection; however, it must be mentioned that the Flyers really didn’t expose anyone valuable in the expansion draft. Considering that Bellemare has little worth to a contending team, it appears likely that he’s staying in Vegas. Bellemare posted all of four goals and eight points despite playing in all 82 regular-season games for Philadelphia this past season. The Frenchman signed a two-year, $1.45 million contract extension in March.

Ducks Sign Defenseman Oleksy to Two Year, One Way Deal

Posted on September 18, 2017September 15, 2020

ANAHEIM – The Anaheim Ducks made headlines yesterday by signing Cam Fowler to an eight year deal. On Sunday, they added depth to their blue line by inking Steve Olesky.

Per the Ducks, it’s a two-year, one-way deal for the 31-year-old Oleksy, who joins Anaheim after spending last season in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

Mattias Ekholm developing into fourth elite defenseman for Predators

Posted on May 19, 2017September 15, 2020

Mattias Ekholm of the Nashville Predators was not born to be a defenseman. Instead he grew into the role, slowly but surely becoming an elite player at the position at the highest level.

“It’s funny to look back to it how well it turned out,” Ekholm said earlier during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Swede-heavy Western Conference Final a sign of the times

Posted on May 17, 2017September 15, 2020

NASHVILLE — “I have worn his underwear,” Mattias Ekholm was saying after practice. “They are comfy.”

It used to take big meatballs to be a Swede in the National Hockey League, in the days when Fred Stanfield chugged up and down the wing among the NHL’s Original 12. “The more barbaric, archaic times of hockey,” as Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said Wednesday.