I Guess It's Typical

It would be an interesting research project to see how many coaches have been fired after losing to the Predators. Even just recently, Islanders coach Steve Stirling got sacked after a Preds win, even though the Preds have the 2nd most points in the Western Conference and were 4th at the time.

I sort of use that as a preface, because after I watched the Preds win 3-2 over Detroit tonight, I immediately tuned to the Red Wings' feed of the postgame. Questions to head coach Mike Babcock all sounded like, "How could you lose to the Nashville Predators?"

Perhaps it's my Nashville bias, but that's exactly how it sounded. Of course, none of the questions were nearly worded like that. It was all in the tone. Babcock, in a very patient way, explained that he'd love to win every game, that the Predators are a good team, and that sometimes you play a game that seems like you should win, but you don't. He also pointed out there have been a few games this year that the Wings shouldn't have won, but did. It didn't really sound like he was giving the pat answer, either. But then, you still had reporters asking stuff like, "Do you think the game was being called close for both teams?" as if suggesting the Wings got hosed--even though they had a power play advantage 9 times to the Predators' 8.

Red Wings' postgame guys also mentioned that the Predators can't be too confident going into the next game, as the Red Wings outshot them 41-15. I agree, the Red Wings outplayed the Predators in many areas of the game. But perhaps the Red Wing guys could look at the Predators earlier games--it's not uncommon to see these kind of shooting differentials. I don't think their confidence is all that shaken.

One thing is for sure, the Preds will have to play a ton better tomorrow (tonight by the time most of you may read this) if they expect to sweep this unusual series. And maybe, hey, the Nashville Predators will be in first place and Babcock will get fired. You never know.