Game Night in Chicago as the Predators return to the scene, the scene that is burned into the collective mind of Pred Nation.

13 seconds.

That is all that stood in the way of the Predators taking control of their first round series with Chicago last April.

13 seconds.

That doesn't mean the Preds would've won the series against the eventual Cup champs, but it does hurt... and it's a hurt that hasn't gone away.

The game tonight doesn’t have near the significance; after all, it’s just one of eighty two that will be played this year. However, the Predators will have quite a bit of motivation tonight. Not only from last year, but now they have more… they will need to protect their goaltender as Anders Lindback is having a baptism of fire in his introduction to NHL hockey. Having to come into Saturday night’s game cold in relief of injured Pekka Rinne was one thing, starting his first NHL game, against the defending champs is another. They will also have to overcome the absence of Martin Erat who did not make the trip due to back spasms.

This is a very different Blackhawk team, nowhere near as deep as last year, but every bit as talented. Chicago is dealing with a shortage on the blueline as Brian Campbell is on IR and Niklas Hjalmarsson is serving the first of a two game suspension handed down from his filthy hit on Jason Pominville.

The Predators are dealing with injuries as well, Sergei Kostitsyn and Jamie Lundmark also did not make the trip to the Windy City. Mark Dekanich has been called up to backup Anders Lindback tonight.

We’ll be previewing the game on tonight’s SlapShot Radio, 6pm CDT on SportsRadio 560 WNSR, puck drop is at 7:30pm with game coverage on 102.9 the Buzz and FS Tennessee.

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My comment regarding the Hjalmarsson hit drew quite a bit of discussion yesterday. So let me say this… Niklas Hjalmarsson deserved more then he got for his hit on Jason Pominville in Monday night’s Blackhawks / Sabres game.

The apologists for this dirty hit are simply incredible. There is no excuse for a hit like this, and the players’ reputation doesn’t matter.

The one cogent reason I heard about not penalizing this hit was this, if Pominville wasn’t injured, you wouldn’t have heard another word about it. That, sadly, is true… and the biggest problem with situations like this. The habit of the NHL disciplinary office to consider the injury (or lack thereof) is silly. You should be worried about the act, not the results of the act.

So, if the results of the act are paramount, then let me make a modest proposal.

If injury is truly the issue in situations like this, then suspend the offending player for as long as the injured player is out. If the injured player doesn't miss time, then the offending player goes free with no suspension. If the injury lasts two games then the suspension is two games, if it lasts ten games, then the suspension is ten games.

Maybe that will be the incentive to remove these types of hits from the game.

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Random Notes

- There’s a new promotion happening at the Prudential Center for the next Devils home game… a fan will get to sit on the Devils bench during the game. Problem is, he or she will have to suit up and play on the third line.

- Busy day for the discipline guys yesterday, as the league handed down a two game suspension to James Wisniewski for his gesture in Monday’s game. The wisecracks on Twitter have been juvenile, childish, and incredibly funny. Check out one of the funnier posts here.

- So let me get this straight… hit from behind causing an injury, two games, making an obscene gesture at Sean Avery, two games. Ummm… OK... If I try and figure this one out my head will explode.

- Colorado is off to a good start, they looked quite good last night against Detroit.

- A couple of good games tonight, I’ll be keeping an eye on the Toronto / Pittsburgh game during breaks in the Preds game. I want to find out if Toronto is as good as they have shown and is Pittsburgh adjusting to their new digs well…

- The over / under on dressed Devils players tonight is 16. I may take the under. Is it just me, or are they looking like a Squirt team that has been decimated by a really good birthday party?

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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 with starting lineups and scratches during Pred home games, also I’ll be supplying information and explanations from the PA box.

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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

SlapShot Radio will be a bit of a pre-game show tonight as the Preds are in Chicago for a 7:30pm face off. We’ll be talking with Washington Capitals broadcaster Steve Kolbe and to ESPN St. Louis and fellow HockeyBuzz blogger Andy Strickland. We will also go Behind the Bench with Predators Associate Head Coach, Brent Peterson. It’s all on SlapShot Radio, SportsRadio 560 WNSR, every Wednesday at 6pm… listen online or on podcast at www.slapshotradio.com

For the most updated guest information go to the SlapShot Radio website.

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