Well - what a game. A fellow writer and myself said to one another as the second period began that something - anything - needed to happen. And though the game picked up after that, it didn’t really start to cook until the third period.

Really too bad for Harding - who stood on his head for some of his career-high 42 saves - that he couldn’t get the win here. Both goalies played outstanding, actually. It just took awhile for some real, solid offense.

As you might expect, the players, coaches and staff were in a hurry afterward to get back to the Cities. I only got to talk with Jacques, Koivu and Harding. Once those three interviews were done (in the hallway, all) I walked into the locker room and it was baron. Not a single player or piece of equipment. Done and gone.

Random game observation: Zidlicky was booed every time he even came close to the puck.

And another: I’m poo-pooing the choo-choo train whistles for Tootoo when he is on the ice.

Great pressure by Nashville on its final power play tonight. As it ended, Jean-Pierre Dumont’s slap shot went whizzing by Harding, who might have been screened by Schultz and Martin Erat. I know that Erat jumped as Dumont took his shot - so that very well could have had something to do with it as well.

A much-needed four-day break awaits the Wild. Jacques was pretty upfront on talking about how much this team needs some rest. And getting on the road for a good trip could do some good as well. No more comforts of home; the next three are out West.

I’m 99.9999% sure the team will have the day off tomorrow. From there, I’ve got practice covered Monday and then Russo is back with you for the week and the road trip.

It’s been fun in Nashville, but I am ready to call it a day.

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Coming to you Live! from the Sommet Center “press box.” This isn’t really a press box; it’s more like a three-level press row. Us media types are pretty spoiled at the X. But anyway, we’re getting set for some hockey.

Fans are starting to file in. There’s a large group of them forming near the Predators’ bench. Autographs? Players giving away pucks? Nope. A security guard is tossing out Starburst (or some sort of wrapped candy).

Spotted in the crowd, by the way: an Andrew Brunette Predators jersey. He played here in 1998-99; his and Nashville’s first full year in the NHL. Brunette scored the first goal in Predators’ history.

Harding is definitely in for Minnesota.  Both Weller and Kolanos skated in warm-ups. Gillies is scratched. UPDATE: Kolanos, too.

And yes, Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler are in the house. I hear through the grapevine they’re sitting not far from where Harding will defend twice. A distraction?

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 6th, 2008 at 6:43 pm and is filed under Game coverage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.