Hockey Night in Smashville as the Washington Capitals come a-callin’ to Bridgestone Arena. The Predators have struggled a bit with the Caps over the past few seasons, dropping their last four against Washington, all of them in overtime or a shootout. Tonight marks Joel Ward’s return to Nashville as a member of the opposition.

Washington started the season hot, but has cooled lately, winning only one of their last four. The Predators have lost just once in regulation in their last eight. The biggest issue for the Capitals is their blueline, injuries have Roman Hamerlik and John Erskine listed as questionable and Mike Green listed as out. It was to the point where Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau even made a trip to Hershey to check out potential replacements at D. The Predators will start their third straight game without David Legwand and yesterday, Teemu Laakso was placed on IR.

Now that all the hubbub over game 1000 is done, the Preds can get down to the business of making their home record more like their road record. Game time is 7pm, coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee

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Random Notes

- Nashville is 8-5-3 for 19 points in their first 16 games, last year they were 7-6-3 for 17 at the same point in the season.

- Saturday’s OT loss to Montreal pulls the Preds down to a 1-3 record in overtime/shootout games.

- I’m still wondering why Milan Lucic didn’t get something for his hit on Ryan Miller. Intent may not have been there, but you have to have some control. I compare it to a high stick, even unintentional ones are penalized.

- Leafs TV is now broadcasting Maple Leafs practices! Wow…

- What an awesome speech from Mark Howe yesterday at the HHOF induction. I’m so glad he was enshrined… completely deserved. I also like hearing that the Flyers are considering retiring his number.

- Looks like the endgame is coming in Phoenix… Damien Cox’s column in today’s Star is quoting unnamed sources that “the clock runs out this year” on NHL ownership of the franchise. Unless a local owner shows up soon, desert hockey fans are going to lose their team.

- Flyers’ chairman Ed Snider is quoted by Tim Panaccio saying that “total realignment” is on the way… looks like the four division trial balloon may become reality.

- Well, the Red Wing swoon is over… they are on a four game win streak and tied with the Preds for second in the Central Division.

- Who is the worst road team in the NHL so far? There are two teams that are winless on the road this season, the New York Islanders are 0-4-2… but the winner is the Columbus Blue Jackets, 0-7-0. The Jackets are home tonight, then head out to Boston before coming to Smashville on Saturday.

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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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On the next SlapShot Radio, built by RiverBirch Homes

Wednesday we are on the road at Blackstone Restaurant. We’ll be talking to Howard Berger to help break down the Toronto game, catching up with Paul Hamilton in Buffalo to get the reaction to the Lucic/Miller incident and talking to Edmonton play-by-play man Jack Michaels to talk about the surprising Edmonton Oilers. That’s all on SlapShot Radio, built by RiverBirch Homes, 6pm Wednesday on 102.5 the Game, live from Blackstone Restaurant

The podcast for last week’s show is posted… We had a very special interview with hockey fan and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper! We discussed the bad situation in Columbus with Aaron Portzline from the Columbus Dispatch and previewed Nashville's 1,000th game with The Voice of the Montreal Canadiens, John Bartlett
That’s all on this week’s podcast of SlapShot Radio.

More past episodes are also posted on the SlapShot Radio website.

Click here to listen or download.

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