A big win for the Preds last night as JP Dumont continued his hot scoring, posting the hat trick and piling up five goals in the past two games, desperately needed scoring for an injury decimated team. IF JP can continue to show his scoring punch over the next few games it will be a HUGE help to this team. The Hattie was Dumont’s first in Pred colors and also his first in almost ten years.

Time for some random notes… and also a preview of tonight’s SlapShot Radio… 6pm on SportsRadio 560 WNSR and online at www.wnsr.com

- I have to admit, the resiliency this team shows is something else. After blowing an early two goal lead, the Preds came out strong in the second and steamrolled the ‘Yotes.

- Nice to see the streakiness level out a bit, although I did like the winning part of that streakiness :-) After winning six the Preds have lost one, won one, lost one, won one.

- A little bit of separation is beginning to happen in the west. Columbus and Calgary are flagging, now seven and eight points out of the playoff mix respectively. They need to get turned around quick…

- St. Louis can’t seem to buy a break… or help. For the second straight time, the team has signed a player who had to clear waivers, only to lose them in the waiver process. The first one was Marek Svatos, who the Predators grabbed, the second is Kyle Wellwood, claimed by San Jose. At least they got TJ Oshie back from injury…

- Speaking of the Sharks, they also picked up Ben Eager from the Thrashers for a fifth rounder in this spring’s draft. A little more toughness for San Jose, and someone to attempt to cover Scott Nichol’s four game suspension.

- The news that Nashville is pursuing a Frozen Four bid is exciting to be sure. The bid process for 2015 and 2016 begins later this year. Solid attendance numbers for last weekend’s NCAA games at the Bridge certainly doesn’t hurt.

- I really wonder why Globe and Mail columnist David Shoalts chose to report on rumors that Sidney Crosby wasn’t going to participate in the All-Star Game next week because he was upset at the lack of suspensions on hits he took in the Winter Classic and the Penguins following game. All Shoalts did was try and add to Crosby’s reputation as a whiner… a reputation that I believe is undeserved.

- The Penguins have gotten their legs back, solidly defeating the Red Wings last night.

- The Top Prospects Games are going on in Toronto at the Air Canada Center, game two is tonight, Jeff Marek will be joining SlapShot Radio from the ACC to get us an update.

- Only three games on the schedule tonight, none really jump out at me as a must watch.

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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, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

Tonight’s show will be a good one featuring Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada Radio, Peter McNab TV Color Analyst from the Colorado Avalanche and we have our first Captain’s Corner featuring Shea Weber… that’s all tonight on SlapShot Radio

Podcasts of past episodes are available at the SlapShot Radio podcast page.

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