The Predators are back in action tonight as they begin a stretch of games that represents their last significant road activity of the season. It’s strange to be saying that on February 22nd, when the regular season ends on April 9, but that is the reality of the situation. Beginning tonight, Nashville plays six of their next eight games on the road, including their final western swing. When this stretch of games is complete, the Predators will then have 12 of their last 15 games at home.

Three of the next four games are against Central Division foes that are chasing the Preds for a playoff spot. One against Chicago (Thursday at the Bridge) is sandwiched between a home and home against Columbus, with a game against the slumping Dallas Stars as a bonus. Tonight’s game at Columbus is another of those “tipping point” games… a win for Nashville in regulation may push the Blue Jackets closer to the seller category for Monday’s trade deadline… a win for Columbus most definitely pushes them firmly into the “buyer” category.

Columbus has been playing it’s best hockey of the year over their last 12 games or so, propelling them from also-ran to the fringe of the five way battle for the last two playoff spots. They have been riding a hot streak from goaltender Steve Mason and excellent play from their captain Rick Nash. Nashville continues to float a bit, playing .500 hockey over their last ten and coming off a loss to Phoenix Saturday night.

Injuries have been the story of the year for the resilient Predators and they have a definite impact tonight as Ryan Suter joins Marcel Goc, Matthew Lombardi, Cal O’Reilly and Francis Bouillon on the injury list. The news from practice yesterday was positive regarding Suter… the ominous silence that had hovered over the team since Suter went down was finally broken when coach Barry Trotz received good news on the star blueliner and was quoted in today’s Tennessean saying “if everything goes well, I expect Suter to play Thursday.” Getting through tonight without Suter will be a challenge as the team is 4-6-1 without him in the lineup this season.

Game time is 6pm Central, coverage on 102.9 the Buzz and Fox Sports Tennessee.

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Random Notes

- Tonight’s game is the last game of the season for the Predators at Nationwide Arena, they are 1-1-0 so far in Columbus.

- The standings update… The Predators still stand 5th, two points behind San Jose with a game in hand. Nashville is tied in points with 6th place Calgary, but holds two games in hand. There is now a five way tie at 68 points, tie-breakers determine order… Minnesota 7th, Dallas 8th, Los Angeles 9th. Anaheim 10th and Chicago is 11th. Columbus is four points back of the pack and St. Louis is five.

- Tonight’s impact games – Phoenix visits Philly, San Jose is in Detroit, Edmonton plays Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center, the streaking New Jersey Devils are in Dallas and Boston visits Calgary.

- Nashville is ahead of last year’s points pace… through 59 games the Predators are at 70 points, at the same point last season the Predators were at 69, finishing the season with 100.

- Many rumors, no takers as Sheldon Souray cleared re-entry waivers with Edmonton… the Oilers immediately assigned him back to Hershey. Seems no one wants him, even at half-price.

Western Conference Playoff chances… from SportsClubStats.com… this site is a must see for stat geeks… remember, these are based on simulations performed by the site… there is a very detailed explanation on SportsClubStats.com for those interested.

1. Vancouver – 99.99%
2. Detroit – 99.91%
3. Phoenix – 80.1%
4. San Jose – 82.3%
5. Nashville – 82.5%
6. Calgary – 56%
7. Minnesota – 58.7%
8. Dallas – 42.4%
9. Los Angeles – 73.5%
10. Anaheim – 36.2%
11. Chicago – 60.2%
12. Columbus – 13.5%
13. St. Louis – 14.6%
14. Colorado – 0.2%
15. Edmonton – 0.004%

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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…

Wednesday’s show will be live from the Flying Saucer behind Union Staion. We’re chatting with former NHL enforcer and current TSN broadcaster Matthew Barnaby, we’ll preview Thursday night’s Central Division showdown with the Chicago Blackhawks radio play-by-play man John Wiedeman and we’ll go behind the bench with Preds bench boss Barry Trotz. That’s all at 6pm central, Wednesday, live from the Flying Saucer downtown… c’mon out and join us!



Download past episodes the SlapShot Radio podcast page.

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