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Game Night - Heating Up in Smashvile

December 13, 2011, 9:10 AM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Game Night in Smashville as the Nashville Predators welcome the Calgary Flames to Music City for a critical Western Conference showdown, both of these teams are trying to solidify their position in the conference and recover from slumps that impacted the race. Calgary started off slow this season but has heated up over the past ten games or so. The Flames are riding a three game win streak, have gotten points in seven out of their last eight games and stand two points behind the Preds in the conference. Te annual "Trade Iginla" chorus as been silenced as he has gotten past his traditional slow start and is leading the team in goals.

Nashville, on the other hand, is recovering from a November slide that dropped them from 4th to 12th in the conference. The modest two game win streak they are on has elevated them to a tie for the 8 spot in the West, but given how tight the standings are, every point is critical. With Nashville’s Saturday night win over Anaheim, the Predators have drawn their home record to even at 5-5-3 and will be looking to improve on that this evening.

The key tonight may be special teams. The Predators power play has been on fire recently, converting at a 30%+ rate over their last 11 games, bringing their season average up to 20.4% good for a third place tie with Philadelphia.

The second key will be goaltending. t will be a fight to the Finn-ish... sorry about that... Pekka Rinne has recovered from a small slump, looking very sharp over the last two games. Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff has had the Predators number in the past. His record against Nashville is a sparkling 14-4-1 with a 1.97 GAA. Three of those wins were shutouts.

Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena. Pregame starts at 6pm with Willy Daunic on 102.5 the Game. Game coverage is on Fox Sports Tennessee and 102.5 the Game.

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Random Notes

- Jonathan Blum was sent down to Milwaukee yesterday after being a healthy scratch for the last two games. An attention getting move for the Preds… also an indication of the team being pleased with Roman Josi who has improved dramatically since the beginning of the season.

- Blake Geoffrion is practicing but still listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

- OK, I’ll start of by saying this, Sidney Crosby is a great player, but the hopes and dreams of the NHL do not ride on him playing or not. Roy MacGregor’s “sky is falling” column in yesterday’s Globe and Mail is a bit silly, especially when after its publication, the Penguins announced that Crosby will be back in practice by Friday.

- Terry Murray gone in LA, replaced by another former Flyer head coach, John Stevens still has “interim” before his title, but Stevens knows what he is doing behind the bench.

- Congratulations to Ryan Suter’s uncle Gary, the gold medal winner (’80) was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame over this past weekend.

- Andy Sutton is not accepting his eight game suspension gracefully, complaining about the lack of appeal mechanism. Maybe a bargaining point in the next CBA negotiations? Count on it.

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On the next SlapShot Radio, built by RiverBirch Homes

We are on the road for this week's show at Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery. We will welcome Sportsnet's Jeff Marek and Blues broadcaster Chris Kerber. We will also talk to one of the most knowledgeable hockey fans you will find... and she's only 8 years old. Join us won't you? The festivities et started with Willy and Joe hosting The Sports Revolution, and following SlapShot Radio wilol be the Jordin Tootoo show, all Wednesday starting at 3pm on 102.5 the Game.

SlapShot Radio is built by RiverBirch Homes.

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

Click here to listen or download.

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