Hmmm, let’s see… the Predators are fighting for their playoff lives… check. The Preds are dealing with a rash of injuries… check. Yup, it’s March and Pred Nation is wondering what they have done to anger the hockey gods so again. It seems like every March, the fans of the fang endure the news of player after player going down. Last year it was Erat, Arnott and Legwand… this year, so far it’s Weber and Grebeshkov.

It’s game night in Hotlanta for a Southeastern Showdown with big playoff consequences. Both teams are fighting and scratching for a playoff spot. Atlanta’s trying to get in, Nashville is trying to stay in. After starting the post-Olympic rush with two consecutive wins, the Preds have dropped two in different but equally distressing ways. The Thrashers are dealing with the loss of Ilya Kovalchuk and trying to keep their season together with players like Predators cast-off Rich Peverly.

So once again, the Predators find themselves trying to get well in some very difficult places, after tonight’s game, the Preds head west for three tough games in barns they have had difficulty winning in. The next three makes tonight even more important. Head Coach Barry Trotz has reshuffled the lines to generate more offense and is also trying to plug the defensive holes created by Weber and Grebeshkov’s injuries with Cody Franson and Alexander Sulzer… time for these two to step it up..

It’s another crazy March Pred fans… strap in and hold on, it could be a bumpy ride. Face off is at 6pm central time, coverage on 104.5 the Zone and FS Tennesse.

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New pictures are posted at the HBR website from Sunday’s game check them out here.

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Strange goaltending situation right now as Pekka Rinne seems to be fighting the puck a bit, Dan Ellis will get the start tonight. It does remind me a bit of a few seasons back… Ellis has stepped up in this situation before for Nashville.

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A Preds win tonight will be Barry Trotz’s 400th career win as an NHL head coach.

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Where We Stand… A daily look at where the Predator’s stand in the playoff race…

Coming into tonight’s play, the Predators stand 2nd in the Central division and 7th in the Western Conference. Nashville is…
- 5 points behind 6th place Colorado.
- 7 points behind 5th place Los Angeles.
- 8 points behind 4th place Phoenix with one game in hand.

In the chase group… Nashville leads…
- 8th place Detroit by 1 points
- 9th place Calgary by 2 points.
- 10th place Dallas by 5 points.
- 11th place St. Louis by 6 points.
- 12th place Anaheim by 7 points.

The Preds have…
1 game left against – Sharks(road), Ducks(road), Stars(home), Wild(home), Blue Jackets(home),
2 games left against – Kings (1r,1h), Coyotes (1r, 1h), Red Wings (1r,1h)
3 games left against – Blues (1r,2h), rest of East (@ Atlanta, Philly @ home, @ Florida)

Tonight’s Impact Games

According to SportsClubStats.com, the results of last night’s play decreased the Predators chance of making the playoffs to 69.1%.

Detroit / Calgary – Whoever wins just needs to do it in regulation. Any overtime in this game decreases the Preds chances.

Minnesota / Florida – A Panther win improves the Preds playoff chances.

Anaheim / Columbus – A Columbus win improves the Preds playoff chances.

Colorado / Vancouver - A Vancouver win in regulation helps the Preds

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Our first HockeyBuzz Radio road trip is really taking off, the head count for the trip is over 100 Pred fans joining us so far. We will be going to St. Louis to see the Preds and Blues on March 21st. Don’t miss out!

We have a ticket deal available and we are planning on meeting up for a pre-game feast at a pizza place near the Scottrade Center. If you have never had St. Louis style pizza, you are in for a treat as we meet up at Imo’s Pizza a couple blocks away from the arena.

Puck drop is at 5pm. Lower bowl tickets are $42, upper bowl tickets are $24. We have been working with a specific Blues ticket rep, so… in order to get the deal call Jason Penning at (314) 622-2578. Mention that you are with the HockeyBuzz Radio Road Trip and he’ll take care of your ticket needs.

It’s a perfect day trip, the early face off means you can get home on the same day if you want… C’mon, take a quick trip and support the Preds!!! This game is a free food night promotion as well, so no one should go hungry. For more information go to HockeyBuzz Radio's website or to our HBR Facebook group.

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COMING UP ON HOCKEYBUZZ RADIO…

For the most updated guest information go to HockeyBuzz Radio's website. You can check out our podcasts atHockeyBuzz Radio’s podcast page.

Wed - We’ve got a good one lined up, the GM’s are meeting and on the NHL Hot Sheet we will be talking head shots and hitting with long time NHL’er Glen Wesley. We’ll preview the Preds West Coast swing with the voice of the San Jose Sharks Dan Rusanowsky. We’re also hoping to have Eklund on the show to talk about the deals that almost happened on trade deadline day. That is all at 6pm Wednesday on SportsRadio 560 WNSR, listen online or on podcast at HockeyBuzz Radio's website.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating during Pred home games in season with information and explanations from the PA box.

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