Fisher's two goals help Predators rally
Posted: January 31, 2012
Mike Fisher stood in the locker room at the Xcel Energy Center with his hockey pants, skates and shin pads on, and took questions from reporters about yet another miraculous comeback win by the Nashville Predators.
There wasn’t much of a smile or level of enthusiasm from Fisher. Just stone-cold confidence. No matter the deficit, Fisher, and the Predators, know they’re never out of a game.
And they proved it again, coming back from a three-goal, third-period deficit to win 5-4 over the Minnesota Wild in their first game since the All-Star break.
Continue reading at www.tennessean.com…
Fisher praises Trotz for Predators success
Posted: January 31, 2012
As the Nashville Predators return to action and begin the final march towards the post-season Mike Fisher reflects on the team's fortunes.
Prior to the All-Star break the Predators were one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference winning ten of their last 12 and head into the final 32 games holding on to fifth place in the Conference.
While no one can deny the importance of the play of goaltender Pekka Rinne, Fisher feels much of the team's success should also be attributed to head coach Barry Trotz.
Trotz has been with the Predators since their inaugural season in 1998 and the fact he remains behind the bench is nothing short of amazing.
This season alone the NHL has seen seven coaching changes and the regular season isn't even over.
Fisher believes Trotz' longevity is due to a number of factors.
"He's always so well prepared," said Fisher. "He knows the game so well and he's a great teacher. He communicates with his players really well and guys know what to expect from him."
Fisher admits he has thoroughly enjoyed his experience of working with Trotz and feels comfortable talking to the coach on both a personal and professional level.
"You know that he really cares about the players," added Fisher. "He's fair and he's honest and he holds players accountable."
Fisher knows much can change in the next few weeks, but feels confident the Predators will be able to handle any adversity that comes their way with Trotz at the helm.
The Predators final push gets underway Tuesday in Minnesota as they take on the Wild.
Fisher playing for long playoff run
Posted: January 26, 2012
With the Nashville Predators winning ten of their last twelve games the All-Star break may not be coming at the ideal time.
The Predators sit fifth in the conference and are just one point back of the fourth place St. Louis Blues.
"When you're playing that well you want to keep playing," said Nashville's Mike Fisher. "At the same time it's nice to get a break and refresh to get ready for the last 32 games."
Fisher has been playing some of his best hockey of late with 13 points in his last 12 games. The 13 points are the most Fisher has recorded in one calendar month since he set a career high with 15 points (in 14 games) for Ottawa in January 2008.
Fisher has a chance to tie that record as the Predators play the Minnesota Wild January 31st.
"It's been really fun," said Fisher. "I've played much better last month. I'm playing with some really good players and it helps that I've been staying healthy."
While Fisher has been playing well, he's not alone. The Predators have a number of players posting solid numbers leading to the team's recent success and Fisher believes there's still more to come.
"We have a lot of depth in the line-up, defensively we've been good and Pekka has been outstanding," added Fisher. "All these things add up for a real confident team.
"We're looking forward to making a big push down the stretch and going deep into the playoffs."
Rinne gets ninth straight win
Posted: January 24, 2012
The Nashville Predators are on a roll headed to the all-star break. Who'd blame them if they wanted to keep playing instead of taking some time off?
Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for his ninth straight win as the surging Predators beat the injury-depleted Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 Tuesday night.
The Predators are now 12-2 in their last 14 games and have beaten the Blackhawks twice in four days in the highly competitive Central Division.
And Rinne has played a major role in the run, going 12-1-0 since Dec. 28.
"We've come a long way in the last month or so. We fly under the radar in this division," said Mike Fisher, who had one of the Predators' two first-period goals.
Continue reading at tsn.ca…
