Predators Need a Spark, Is This It?

The Predators have relieved Peter Laviolette of his head coaching duties with the Nashville Predators. They have also let go of associate coach Kevin McCarthy.

Most of you probably don’t know I’m a big Preds fan, and that’s probably because I haven’t blogged them all year, but they’ve STUNK. Like real bad. They’re 19-15-7, good enough for 6th place in the central. Compared to what we’ve expected over the years from this Predators team, this season has been depressing. If you couple that with the Winter Classic loss last week, it was time for a change.

I’m not sure how much this is going to change the outlook of the Preds season. Laviolette isn’t the only reason for the downfall. The Predators rank 23rd on the power play scoring just 16.8% of the time, and only successful on 74% of penalty kills, good enough for 29th in the league.

Matt Duschene hasn’t produced as well as fans were hoping for to begin the season. Rinne and Saros have combined for 24th place in goals allowed.

This team needs a spark, and maybe this is it. I don’t know. The Blues did it last year, and even though the Preds aren’t in last, it certainly feels like it.

Go Preds.