Apologists could well point at both of Nashville's goals in regulation time as suspect, but that's the way that cookie crumbles. Yes, the first one was off a goofy bounce that had Crawford spinning in place, but Keith has to pick up Forsberg. He has to, after standing still waiting for Crow's behind-the-net pass and seeing it scooped up by Johansson. On the second goal, I thought it odd that the concern was whether or not Crow was inside or outside of his crease & not that Arvidsson struck him in the head as he passed in front of him. Maybe that puck goes in, regardless of any contact with Crow, I don't know, but I'm sure that Mike Smith was amused, wherever he may be.
Whatever one concludes regarding those goals against, the fact remains that The Hawks were outshot & outhustled by The Predators.
Oduya + van Riemsdyk = begging for trouble. At this stage in Oduya's career he should never be the better guy in his pairing. Thrust into having to shepherd TVR when he's already struggling to cope with The Predator's speed was always going to end in tears. Could Kempny have done a better job than either Johnny or TVR? With his confidence likely torn to hell, maybe, maybe not. I can guarantee you, though, Kempny would not have casually observed two Preds enter the hot zone, hesitate and then check neither.
The Hawks' most consistent forward line was, frustratingly, Panik, Kruger & Rasmussen. They at least played like they gave a damn, but even the maximum we can expect from them isn't enough; even if all four lines were exactly like these guys we still lose 2-1 or 3-2. Throw Kero into this group, as well, with even the best they can offer still being short of what's needed. Kane played well but without much support from out-of-sync Anisimov and Panarin just not making himself useful.
The Predators have gotten faster and hungrier with each game and can taste blood, now. I don't know if The Hawks have it in them, anymore, but we'll see, we'll see....
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