Pred Funk

What is up with one of the best regular season teams in hockey this post season? Other than game two against the Sharks, the Preds haven't been able to keep up/match up/step up to the challenge for whatever reason during the first round of the playoffs.

Western Conference, Central Division. We beat up on the likes of Chicago, St.Louis, and Columbus this season. Teams that aren't as big and skilled as arch-rival Detroit, Dallas, San Jose, and Anaheim. If the Preds had to play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, I would hate to even think...is the Central just too darn easy to get points?

Vokoun is still playing with a brace for his used to be injured thumb on his stick hand, and hasn't really regained the form that he had at the beginning of the season. I do think that Vokoun should be in net if he is healthy because he is the No 1, and gives us the best chance to win. Mason has played great as well this season, and the Preds were lucky that he likes it here, gets along with well with Vokoun, and was willing to stay. Where would the Preds be without Mason this season? He may be a number one somewhere sooner than we think.

We pick up Jason Arnott, JP Dumont, and Mr Peter Forsberg (trade deadline) to try and get bigger in the offensive zone this year. Arnott missed time with injuries, Dumont was on fire the first two playoff games, Forsberg missed some time since he has been here, but when he is in the game, his presence is huge. All are playoff veterans and two of these guys have held the Cup.

Steve Sullivan? Who is he again?

While offensive skill guys and role players are important to any pro hockey club, small guys like Karyia and Sullivan (skill) and Nichol and Tootoo (role) have to find a way to get it done in a different way during the playoffs. Surely there are two guys out there that are bigger than Nichol and Toots that the Preds could spend the same money on that provide more production than they do. I am not against either of those guys, but if the Preds need agitators, lets get bigger agitators.

Faceoffs...the Sharks are killing us on faceoffs. Last year, we had the leader in faceoff percentage watching from the sidelines. Perrault has a career year last year, did well this year for the Coyotes/Leafs, and he didn't play in last year's playoffs becasue he was too old or something lame like that? Well, we all remember how the first round last season turned out, don't we?

Penalties...sheesh. Time for some reverse psychology Preds coaching staff: Tell the players to take all of the penalties they want. It won't hurt the team in the least. And since Friday could very well be the last game of the season (hey - I'm a realist), might as well live it up one last time before everybody departs for summer vacation. The Preds need to drop the gloves on the very first puck drop. Everybody takes a man, everybody gives a beating. The Preds proved in game 2 that if the Sharks are distracted and unfocused, they will fold, period.

Vitaly Vishnevski is a D-man that the Preds acquired near the trade deadline this season. He has 37 games of playoff experience, stands at 6'2", 215lbs. Why hasn't he been playing? As much as I like Dan Hamhuis, Dan has made a couple of very recent blunders in the zone that have gone for goals against. How about giving VV a shot? He can't play any worse than Dan has at this point. I'm not a hater, just calling it like I see it.

I thought I would feel better getting all of this out, but I still feel frustrated that they haven't been able to get the job done in the post season. Will the good guys bounce back or fold on Friday night? Only time will tell...

Today's birthdays for April 19 include Eliot Ness, Jayne Mansfield, Dudley Moore, Tim Curry, Al Unser Jr., Marion 'Suge' Knight, Ashley Judd, Jesse James, Shannon Lee, Hate Hudson, Maria Sharapova, and Hayden Christensen.

Anakin Skywalker: Ray shields.
Obi-Wan: Wait a minute. How did this happen? We're smarter than this.
Anakin Skywalker: Apparently not. I say patience.
Obi-Wan: Patience?
Anakin Skywalker: Yes. R2 will be along in a few moments and then... he'll release us from the ray shields.
[R2 comes skidding across the hallway and bashes into the opposite wall]
Anakin Skywalker: See? No problem.

Anakin Skywalker: I sense Count Dooku.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: I sense a trap.
Anakin Skywalker: Next move?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: [smiling] Spring the trap.

General Grievous: Anakin Skywalker. I expected someone with your reputation to be a little... older.
Anakin Skywalker: General Grievous... you're shorter than I expected.