The start to Kari Lehtonen's HFNHL career did not deliver the results he expected. Hardly is he to blame for the team's 0-2-0 start, but the young netminder is tough to himself. "I could have made a stop or two more and we would have gotten a win" he said after last nights close 1-2 loss by the hand of the Detroit Red Wings. Said team captain Rob Niedermayer: "Kari is such a competitive individual, he wants to win all the time. He played great in both games so far, he gave us a chance to win both games, but we could not give him the support needed to come away with victories. We gotta find ways to win those games."
Only 2 minutes into the Red Wings game, it looked good for the Predators. Sean Avery scored his first goal of the season to give his colors a 1-0 lead. In fact the Predators dominated the first period, outshooting the Wings 12-6. But they could not solve Lundqvist for a second goal. The wings got lucky 15 seconds before the first period ended, when Mike Knuble did what he knows best. Martin Strakas shot from the left circle was deflected by Chris Phillips' skate and Knuble knocked home the rebound following Lehtonen's acrobatic initial save.
The game then was on the line and would have gone into overtime if not for Nicklas Lidström's perfect shot from the blueline in the last minute of the 2nd period.
"I think we played a good game, but fact is, we did not win. We gotta force luck, play more desperately. Thats what they did and thats why they got that goals" GM Kapfenberger said.
The Predators have the opportunity to turn luck into their favour tonight in Nashville.
Only 2 minutes into the Red Wings game, it looked good for the Predators. Sean Avery scored his first goal of the season to give his colors a 1-0 lead. In fact the Predators dominated the first period, outshooting the Wings 12-6. But they could not solve Lundqvist for a second goal. The wings got lucky 15 seconds before the first period ended, when Mike Knuble did what he knows best. Martin Strakas shot from the left circle was deflected by Chris Phillips' skate and Knuble knocked home the rebound following Lehtonen's acrobatic initial save.
The game then was on the line and would have gone into overtime if not for Nicklas Lidström's perfect shot from the blueline in the last minute of the 2nd period.
"I think we played a good game, but fact is, we did not win. We gotta force luck, play more desperately. Thats what they did and thats why they got that goals" GM Kapfenberger said.
The Predators have the opportunity to turn luck into their favour tonight in Nashville.
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