Inland Waterways » Peter Laviolette bringing his offensive

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Pinning down a single reason for the Nashville Predators resurgence this season is nearly impossible.Theres a new coach in Peter Laviolette bringing his offensive approach. New scorers in James Neal and Mike Ribeiro. And Pekka Rinne is healthy and back to dominating form as one of the NHLs stingiest goaltenders.Add in the leagues top rookie through the first 20 games, and the combination has the Predators atop the Central Division and third in the Western Conference after missing the playoffs the past two seasons.Its been a good start, but at the same time to stay at the top of the league its probably the hardest thing, and everybody who comes here or any team were going to face they want to get a piece of us, Rinne said. You have to be ready for it. But its been good. All the changes weve made ... obviously you got the record. Its easy to say that its been working.Indeed.The Predators have yet to lose consecutive games yet and have 30 points through 21 games after a 4-3 shootout win Tuesday night over the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. The Predators now are 8-1-1 at home and 5-1-1 against the Pacific Division.Defence always has been a Nashville hallmark, and the Predators are tied for second in the NHL in goals-against average allowing 2.10 goals per game.Now the Predators are scoring. They are second in the NHL scoring five-on-five and have outscored opponents 47-28 in an area the Predators were minus-21 last season. They also are the leagues least-penalized team averaging only 7 penalty minutes per game.Forward Eric Nystrom credited everyone with being on the same page quickly in the first season with Laviolette, hired in May as only the second coach in this franchises history.That makes such a huge difference when you can rely on your teammate being in the right position so you can go in a certain situation and knowing youre going to go in those situations, Nystrom said.Laviolette was hired to boost the offence for a team that struggled scoring the past two seasons under Barry Trotz. His system has freed up defencemen like captain Shea Weber to jump into the rush with the puck, and Laviolette has put together Neal and Ribeiro with rookie Filip Forsberg giving the Predators possibly their best top line yet.The coach says hes happy with how the Predators are working, and theyve shown plenty of chemistry and confidence no matter the score. The Predators blew a 2-0 lead late in regulation Saturday night against Florida only to win when Forsberg scored the only goal in the shootout.Even if sometimes when were down by two, it doesnt seem to phase our guys that much, Laviolette said.Rinne is off to the best start of his career with his 14 wins tying him for the most in the league, and he ranks second in goals-against average (1.97). Its a big change from a year ago when the Finland native was healing from surgery to clear an infection out of his hip, limiting him to 24 games last season when Nashville missed the post-season by three points.The goaltender isnt thinking about the past two years now.Our team is totally different now, and obviously personally you want to always play as well as you can possibly play, Rinne said.Forsberg has helped the scoring. Acquired from Washington in a trade for Martin Erat in April 2013, the rookie ranks 12th in the NHL with 22 points and also leads the league with a plus-18 rating, meaning hes been on the ice for 18 more even-strength and shorthanded goals his team has scored than allowed.Nystrom said the Predators just need to keep improving and peak in the playoffs. Nashville has plenty of room to do that on special teams ranking 26th on the penalty kill and 24th on the power play — last on home ice scoring only one goal with the man advantage.Its going to be a test to see if we can stay at the top, Nystrom said. Thats not an easy challenge, and were looking forward to that. Cheap Air Jordan 13 Australia .com) - The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed recently-acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Wholesale Jordan Retro 13 . Osmond, of Marystown, N.L., fell in the middle of her routine and placed fifth in the ladies free skate at Iceberg Skating Palace (110.73 points), but that was all the Canadians needed after a strong performance by Kevin Reynolds in the mens free earlier Sunday. http://www.cheapairjordan13australia.com/. “Im not sure well get Melky Cabrera at all,” said Gibbons. The 29-year-old left fielder struggled all season with knee and hamstring problems. Cabrera was first on the disabled list from June 27-July 20 with tendinitis in his left knee. Air Jordan 13 Retro Australia .com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions. Jordan 13 For Sale Australia . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night.Toronto at Winnipeg Optimism is high in Winnipeg. A new head coach, new quarterback and new attitude to start the 2014 season. But I am not sure if they have the personnel yet to compete at the highest level consistently. And come Thursday Night, they do have to compete against a quarterback in Ricky Ray that completed 77 per cent of his passes last year and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 21-to-2. Drew Willy for Winnipeg is a complete unknown, so an immense advantage at quarterback for Toronto. Both teams are also unknown on defense. Can the Argos be dominate as a four man pass rush team, dropping eight into coverage? In Winnipeg, can Gary Etcheverry create game-changing pressure all night long or, through preparation, the Argo starting 12 be able to find opportunity all night long? Final point; there is also a special teams return advantage with Chad Owens over any returner in Winnipeg. The Bombers will have to play a near perfect game to win, while the Argos just need to stay calm in tough a atmosphere to win. Week 1, Game 1 - Argos over Bombers. Montreal at Calgary Both teams looked dreadful in their respective last exhibition games and normally I would not consider that an issue because they are exhibition games, But, Troy Smith was physically inaccurate with his passes and the combination of Drew Tate and Bo Levi Mitchell were no more efficient. Pure football logic says both teams will have better quarterback play working with the starters in preparation throughout the week and a repeat of last weeks performances should not happen. This one should be either a single touchdown win or even only a field goal, and I do like Calgary to create the win. Excellent special teams battle Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium. Larry Taylor, the former Stampeder on one side for Montreal, against Jock Sanders - the best free agent pick up of 2014, a former rider and presently a Stampeder. Calgary by no more than 6 -- maybe only 3. Edmonton at B.C. I think Edmonton may be a better team now then as the team back in October. Chris Jones ran aa tough training camp and as a first year head coach it always is.dddddddddddd To obtain early positive results, it should be. By the time Saturday turns into Sunday, we will get a much clearer picture of Eskimo football. Now, in BC Kevin Glen will be fine and even though they are young upfront, he should stay upright though the game. I really think the strength of BC will be the front seven on defense. Eric Taylor at one defensive tackle is underrated and Khalif Mitchell at the other with be effective. I think BC can make Edmonton one dimensional and create enough second and longs to win. Mike Reilly will be protected this year through design and personnel, but in a home opener, I like BC to win in the 4th. Lions over Eskimos. Hamilton at Saskatchewan The best game of Week 1, yet tough game for the Ticats to win in the opening week. I do not underestimate Hamilton. Last year, after five games they were 1-4 and by the end of the season had gone through 88 players and 57 different starters. Last year was about evaluating and molding and yet they made it to the Grey Cup. Kent Austin has a plan and you saw it develop as the season progressed. Last Thursday, seeing Zack Collaros was impressive. He has excellent in and out of pocket movement and is a thicker player than I thought - important because you know he will run. Hamilton will not start the season 1-4 this year and will not go through 88 players and 57 starters this year. But, I do think they will begin O-1. The single-biggest issue for Saskatchewan is who is the running back to replace Cory Sheets. That may not be decided until mid-season but they have to find one. Until the do, the strength of the Riders is a well-established offensive line and a winning quarterback that is coming off an excellent playoff run. Who will replace Kory Sheets, who will replace Weston Dressler and who will replace Craig Butler? All important questions to be answered. I do not expect either team to dominate but I do expect the best fans in CFL football to show up and make a difference. Riders in a close game. China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '