The result of the discipline meted out by Barry Trotz and David Poile was such, that with one win in the Predators column, Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn will be watching from the stands once again on Friday night.
Such is the price you pay for violations on team behaviour and such is the reward for those that stepped in to fill the void of the two Russian players in game three.
Nashville who were rocked upon their return from the opening two games in Phoenix began to right their ship in game three on the strength of a Pekka Rinne shut out as the Predators clawed their way back into the series with a 2-0 victory.
While many waited to see how the Predators wouldn't handle their discipline problems and many others weighed in, (Hello Don Cherry, we don't think the Preds are listening, just saying) the Preds it seems will hold the course with the line up from game three in tonight's game in Nashville.
Game Three provided more of the kind of play we anticipated seeing from the Preds, hard checking, low scoring and stellar goaltending, the recipe for much of their success this year suddenly re-discovered all of it playing out under the drama of the disciplinarian decisions.
The benching of the two Russian players and other concerns over some of the league's other Russian players is making for a bit of a growth industry for hockey writers and broadcasters, eager to see if there is a trend building for troublesome recruits from abroad.
A trend that the Preds may have either nipped in the bud, or depending how it all shakes out spreads like a virus into the next season.
Regardless those are concerns we imagine for another day, neither Nashville or Phoenix is probably too concerned over the emotional roller coaster for Russian players at the moment, instead, the swing game for the series goes tonight.
A Preds win and it's all tied up and the long run looks assured, a Coyotes win and they hold the hammer with a 3-1 series lead, with three chances to move on to the Western final.
Game Four-- Phoenix 1 at Nashville 0
Phoenix leads the series 3 games to 1
Previews and Reviews
POST GAME
The Tennessean-- Predators fall to Phoenix Coyotes 1-0
The Tennessean-- Predators desperately need duo back for Game 5
The Tennessean-- Hornqvist has hard-luck game
The Tennessean-- Coyotes score after knocking down Gill
The Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes hold off Nashville Predators 1-0 in Game 4 ...
The Arizona Republic-- Boyd Gordon continues "unbelievable" play for Phoenix Coyotes
The Arizona Republic-- Have the Phoenix Coyotes become Dark Horse Stanley Cup contenders?
Globe and Mail-- Doan and Smith lead Phoenix to shutout win over Predators
National Post-- Mike Smith, Coyotes shut out Predators to put series on the brink
PRE GAME
The Tennessean-- Radulov, Kostitsyn to sit for Game 4 too
The Tennessean-- Jordin Tootoo gives Nashville Predators extra edge
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators offer Alexander Radulov valuable lesson with win
The Tennessean-- Nashville Predators' Mike Fisher relieved to score goal
The Tennessean-- Sub Shop sheds pink exterior for Nashville Predators gold
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes aim to get back on track in Game 4
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes Raffi Torres to appeal 25 game suspension
Arizona Republic-- Embarrassment never ends for City of Glendale
Globe and Mail-- Radulov, Kostitsyn and the NHL's dwindling Russian influence
Globe and Mail-- Radulov, Kostitsyn to miss Game 4
Globe and Mail-- Rinne returns to dominating form, lifts Predators to win over Coyotes
National Post-- Predators will not play Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn in Game 4
National Post-- Alexander Radulov, Andrei Kostitsyn give Predators a painful chemistry lesson
National Post-- The NHL's Russian problems
Previous Items on the series
Game Three
Game Two
Game One
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