UPDATE - Reports coming out of today's day of game skate that Martin Erat will play tonight, however Sergei Kostitsyn is being listed as a game time decision.

Also, check last year's Pred player Halloween video below.

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The Nashville Predators close out their three game homestand with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. This will be the first time these teams have met since Nashville’s first ever playoff series win last April. Anaheim will come in ready to make a statement, the Predators are looking to build off of Thursday night’s win over Tampa Bay.

Anaheim started the season where they left off at the end of last regular season but have come back down to earth over the last few games. They come into Nashville without Jason Blake and Matt Smaby. The Preds listed Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn as probable. Yesterday’s trade of Cal O’Reilly is probably the biggest indicator of Erat being close to ready.

Speaking of that trade, it was a little surprising at first glance, however, on second look, you probably saw it coming. O’Reilly just didn’t seem to gel with the team this season so far. This does ease the logjam at center a bit and give a solid player a second chance.

We will be having a lot of Halloween fun tonight at Bridgestone Arena. In arena host Slam Duncan and I have a little fun planned in our costumes. There will be trick or treating, fun fall games on the plaza before the game and the traditional Predator player Halloween video… Game time is 7pm, coverage is radio only tonight, on 102.5 the Game. TV coverage is available on Game Center Live and Center Ice.

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Last year's Halloween video...



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Random Notes

- I like the O’Reilly trade, just hope he doesn’t come back to bite us in four games against Phoenix.

- Looks like the St. Louis Blues have been sold as reports are surfacing that Matthew Hulsizer has signed a deal to purchase the club.

- Thirteen games in the NHL tonight, first one drops the puck at 2pm central on NHL Network as the red hot Ottawa Senators invade newly remodeled Madison Square Garden for a tilt against the Rangers.

- Congrats to the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the World Series last night. I find it interesting that Rangers fans will look back on this one for game six, not the deciding game… very similar to the infamous Buckner incident… Red Sox fans sometimes forget that his error did not happen in the deciding game of the series.

- Good piece by Adrian Dater on si.com about locker room sparkplugs. Great story about Terry Crisp in it.

- Watch out… the Sharks are heating up, beating Detroit last night for their fourth consecutive win.

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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!

Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

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On the next SlapShot Radio

SlapShot Radio hit the road for our last show as we went to Blackstone Restaurant. We featured ESPN.com’s Craig Custance and the voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning Rick Peckham.

The podcast is posted on the SlapShot Radio website.

Click here to listen or download.

Next week we’re breaking down the West Coast roadie with a special quest co-host and great guests, join us won’t you? 6pm Wednesday on 102.5 the Game.

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