Nashville is known for its tight defensive play, sizeable defensemen, and, of course, goaltender Pekka Rinne, a Vezina Trophy candidate in each of the last two seasons. One player to have found some success against this tough defensive team is Jeff Carter, who has produced seven goals and 14 points over 12 career games versus the Predators, against whom he has a lifetime 14.9 shooting percentage.
On whether Nashville’s defensive systems are noticeable, compared to other teams’ looks:
“Yeah, they play a tight game. They’ve always been like that under Trotz. They don’t give you a lot, so when you get a chance, you really have to make the most of it.”
On the recent power play success, compared to earlier in the year:
“I don’t really see too much difference. Obviously, we’re trying to get a few more shots to the net and get some bodies in front, but I think a few of our goals have been some lucky bounces here. Sometimes you need those to start going to get the confidence up a little bit. We’ve been working hard at it, so hopefully it keeps coming.”
On what was revealed by Tuesday’s win:
“It’s another step in the right direction. We played a pretty solid road game, I thought. We did a lot of good things. We were getting a lot more pucks to the net, getting some more traffic. We’re going to have to keep going at it.”
On whether this road trip is a good bonding experience:
“Yeah, it is. The majority of guys were away from each other for a while here, so it’s nice to get some road games here. We’ve got a few days off [after tonight] to kind of get together and relax and whatnot, so it should be good for us.”
On whether he expects a defensive battle versus Nashville:
“It usually is. Probably a 2-1 game.”
On his career success against Nashville, and whether he knows anything special about Pekka Rinne:
“Not really. It’s just kind of how it’s gone. Like I said, they play a really defensive game, so any time you get a chance against these guys, you’ve got to make it count.”
Two goals tonight please…
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Carter is starting to look like the guy that helped Phily dominate. Now we just need Richards to get back in form.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@WTF, Ritchy looked like his old form during the Jackets game…heck another Gordie Howe Hat trick for him vs the Jackets.
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Slovenia beat Belarus 4-2.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
@goldielocks, …….Nemôžem tomu uveriť!!…….
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Carter is a real good player with solid skill set…….
As they say, “the real deal”…..
Based on the fact he can make players around him look better then they actual are……..
Not sure Gagne is the right guy on this line, not sure Penner is the guy, I know King is not the guy for this line…….
Who then??
Richards is good with Carter as that is who he is always looking to pass too….
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KC23 Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
@harty, I think Gagne is the right guy on this line, but we do end up with match up problems against other teams physically big and talented lines such as the Thorton line in SJ or Getzlaf Perry with the Ducks. Especially without Mitchell in the line up. Martinez just doesn’t have the size and strenght in front of Quick or along the boards in back of Quick to handle the big boys in this league.
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Dooms Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
@harty, The right guy is Kopi…I would move Carter up with him and Williams becuase Kopi and Williams are so creative with the puck and Carter is a pure sniper. Put Brownie on with Richards and Gagne to spark some dirty, grinder type of goals.
I think Penner should go in for King on the 3rd line becuase I’ve never been a huge fan of King. He has looked lost out there all season. Don’t get me wrong because he was awesome down the stretch and in the playoffs last year, but not seeing it this year.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
@Dooms, I like Penner ONLY if he literally plants himself in the slot for his size like in the SC play-offs. Problem hasn’t happened yet!!
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Dooms Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
@rogiesbackup, Penner is the most frustrating player the Kings have, but I think he can get going and be a dominating player for us like he was last year in the playoffs and for the Ducks in 07. I feel like the reward out ways the risk with Penner becuase of the depth the Kings have.
KC23 Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@Dooms, Carter and Williams are both RW, Williams said himself he can’t play on his off wing very well and Kopitar has stated he doesn’t do well playing the wings. Might be fun watching Carter play with Brown and Kopitar though.
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MeanMrMustard Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
@KC23, Man, I’d love to see Kop-Williams-Gange get a couple of consecutive games on the same line
And move Brown (not as a ddemotion or anything) to a line with Clifford and Stoll. Actually, I’d like to see Clifford and Brown centered by Richardson (to perhaps re-create that awesome energy that Richardson, Clifford, and Simmons brought in the playoffs 2 seasons ago.
Then maybe leaving Stoll or Lewis to center Nolan and King. Yeah, that would leave Fraser the odd man out, but someone has to sit. And don’t get me wrong, i like Fraz quite a bit, but you know what i mean.
Hope he splits the uprights tonight.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@DesertKing, that’s good for 2 points, ain’t it?
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
@Real 7, in Oakland it should count for more.
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