The team with the best record in the NHL and the odds on favorite to win a Stanley Cup this year is in town tonight for a tilt against the Nashville Predators. Vancouver’s Canucks have dominated the NHL this season, standing 1st in the league with 83 points, posting a 37-12-9 record. On paper, this one isn’t even close. Vancouver boasts six players with more points than the leading Predator including the Sedin twins, Ryan Kessler, and Nashville “favorite,” Alex Burrows. Firepower and goaltending are not issues for Vancouver, the blueline is rapidly becoming one. The reason is a familiar one to Pred Nation… injuries.

The Canucks list four defensemen as out for tonight’s contest, Alex Edler with a back issue, Andrew Alberts with a broken wrist, Keith Ballard with a leg injury and former Pred Dan Hamhuis with a concussion. Canucks play by play man Rick Ball pointed out on last night’s SlapShot Radio that Vancouver has dressed 12 different defensemen this year. ON top of that, the Vancouver Sun is reporting that the news may have gotten worse as Kevin Bieksa is battling a foot issue caused from blocking a slapshot in Vancouver’s last game and may not play this evening. The Predators injury list remains stable with Matthew Lombardi, Cal O’Reilly and Francis Bouillon on IR.

So how does Nashville come away with two points tonight? Simple… go into the video room, watch game tape from February 5th and 9th. Those two games will show the effort and sixty minutes of hockey necessary to beat the Western Conference leaders. Nashville will need to take advantage of Vancouver’s inexperienced blueline and put traffic in front of Roberto Luongo.

The Predators need to continue to take advantage of home ice, they have gone 5-1-2 in their last eight at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is at 7:08pm, coverage on 102.9 the Buzz, TV is Center Ice only. Please join Greg Pogue and I at Rippy’s for the WNSR Pre-Game Show at 6pm.

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Random Notes

- There is now five way tie at 68 points in the Western Conference! Last night’s play resulted in a rare off-night move up in the standings for the Predators. Nashville stands 4th now due to tie-breakers, San Jose 5th, Anaheim 6th, Dallas 7th, Calgary 8th. Los Angeles is one point out, Minnesota three points out, Chicago four out and Columbus is six points out.

- Tonight’s impact games – LA continues their eastern run with a game a MSG against the Rangers, Detroit is in Tampa, Atlanta is taking on Phoenix and Washington is visiting San Jose.

- The Predators have a real advantage right now as they have games in hand over each of the other four teams tied at 68 points. They hold one GIH over San Jose, Anaheim and Dallas and a whopping three GIH over Calgary.

- Oh how the mighty have fallen, the Dallas Stars have dropped from leading the conference in December to 7th after their loss to Calgary last night. Panic time in Big D?

- Where is the criticism of the mainstream hockey media for the Ian White craziness yesterday… oh, that’s right… we don’t criticize ourselves but will certainly slag those others that break these kind of stories…

- Sending good thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Joel Quinneville. Get well soon coach!

- The Anaheim Ducks have placed Jonas Hiller on IR… that Ray Emery signing is looking better and better.

- Interesting column from Stephen Brunt in yesterday’s Globe and Mail comparing the NHL to UFC. Not sure that I agree with the premise, but it is a very provocative column.

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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…

Last night’s podcast is posted… We chatted with Vancouver radio play-by-play man, Rick Ball to preview Thursday’s Preds/Canucks showdown and also talked to Senators blogger Travis Yost about the situation in Ottawa that led to the Mike Fisher trade. We discussed the career of Peter Forsberg with Sweedish reporter Gunner Nordstrom. We also had our second “Captain’s Corner” as Pete Weber sat down with Ryan Suter.


Download the podcast at the SlapShot Radio podcast page.

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