A strong performance from the Nashville Predators last night at the Pepsi Center as they hang a 5-1 shellacking on the Colorado Avalanche. For the second straight game, the Preds posted five goals, only with five different scorers this time and got outstanding goaltending from Pekka Rinne.

The Avalanche could be excused for not being up for this game after hearing the news that they have lost Tomas Fleischmann for the season due to a blood clot in each lung. Pred fans are familiar with that after watching Tomas Vokoun go through the same treatment a few seasons back. We wish Tomas well and hope this gets resolved quickly.

The Av’s luck went from bad to worse in the second period when Ryan Stoa appeared to score, drawing the Av’s to within a goal, but video replay determined that the call on the ice (no goal) would be upheld, surprising everyone, including Pred broadcasters Pete Weber and Terry Crisp.

The Preds have a rare Friday and Saturday off, next up is a Sunday evening game with the Oilers in Edmonton.

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Random Notes

- The Nashville Predators have supplied the net worth statement the Metro Sports Authority was looking for. Of course the local newspaper had to put their typical negative spin on the headline making it look like the team was looking to break their lease, when in fact the local ownership group is looking for a long term extension.

- The Preds have won nine of their last eleven and are 8-2-0 for the month of January. Last night’s win solidified the team’s hold on second in the division and maintained a one point lead over Phoenix for 4th in the conference.

- Another disputed goal call last night in the Kings / Coyotes game had the GM of LA raising hell. Personalizing the situation with the following quote…

“When the guy in Toronto making the decisions on the goals, in Ottawa and the one tonight, wanted the G.M.'s job in L.A. and was not happy about not getting it, you have to assume you are going to get those type of calls,''

Ummm… Mr. Lombardi, phone call, line one… it’s a Mr. Bettman.

- Detroit has signed Evgeny Nabokov from the KHL and the player now has to clear waivers. Wondering if St. Louis is looking to grab him… :-)

- The Red Wings obviously need the help in net as they blew a three goal lead last night before winning in OT.

- The Penguins adjusted well to losing Sidney Crosby, but losing Evgeny Malkin as well was just too much for the Pens and they went down to NJ last night.

- Things were looking like the old Spectrum last night at the Wells Fargo Center with five fights in the third period of Philly’s 6-2 blowout of Ottawa. Eighty penalty minutes... yikes!

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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…

The podcast for Wednesday’s show is posted… We featured Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada Radio, Peter McNab TV Color Analyst from the Colorado Avalanche and we had our first Captain’s Corner featuring Shea Weber… that’s all on the SlapShot Radio podcast.

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

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