The good news is that the Predators won 3-1. That is where the good news ends as word broke during pregame that Preds All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter was a game-time decision with the ubiquitous “Upper Body Injury.” He made a go of it, playing the first period, but didn’t return after the team took a 3-0 lead. He is listed as doubtful for today’s game against the Rangers at MSG.

One period was all that was needed yesterday as the Predators got the win and are looking to sweep the New York back-to-back tonight. The Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the past few weeks however they do show signs of cooling a bit… they are coming off a loss to the Montreal Canadiens and have lost two of their last five. The Predators have won their last five and eight of their last nine, but can’t make any progress in the Central Division standings as St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit are also winning consistently.

The Rangers have been almost unbeatable on home ice this year, winning almost 70% of their games, a home ice domination not seen at the Garden since the early 70’s. They are led by Martin Gaborik and Brad Richards from a goal scoring perspective, but captain Ryan Callahan is chipping in as well as Derek Stepan. This is another high-powered offense that the Predators may have to lock down on without Suter, but it is an offense that has struggled a bit over the past four games, only managing four goals in that timeframe.

The injury situation for the Preds remains the same, Jerred Smithson is listed as doubtful, same as Suter. The Rangers list Steve Eminger and Michael Sauer as out, Jeff Woywitka is doubtful, Brandon Dubinsky is probable and Ruslan Fedotenko is questionable. The situation in net is fairly clear... Henrik Lundqvist for the Blueshirts, and most probably Pekka Rinne for the Preds.

It’s national TV for this one, one of the Predators few appearances on NBC Sports Net. Game time is 6:30pm CT, local coverage is on 102.5 the Game.

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Random Notes

- The Predators remain 6th in the Western Conference, four points behind conference leading St. Louis and six points ahead of 9th place Colorado. The gap is beginning to open between the bottom group and the playoff chasing pack as Edmonton is now 13 points out, Anaheim is 14 and Columbus is 22 points back.

- The Detroit Red Wings won the 15th consecutive home game last night, a franchise record that was set in 1965. Pred Nation is glad that their team won’t have to be there for another month.

- You wonder how good the Central is this year? As I write this, the 4th place team in the Central Division would be leading both the Southeast and Pacific, would be in a tie for second in the Atlantic and Northeast, and would be alone in second in the Northwest.

- NHL.com has the Predators up to sixth in their “Super 16.” The Hockey News has them at ninth, as does espn.com.

- The Colorado Avalanche continues their downward spiral, dropping three of their last four including the 6-1 spanking they took last night at the hands of the Phoenix Coyotes.

- The rumblings are getting louder around Ryan Miller in Buffalo. Of course getting pulled early in the second period last night after giving up five goals on 14 shots doesn’t help the situation.

- Trouble in paradise? Looks like Ryan Kesler is none too happy about his coach calling him out in the media. If it is true that Alain Vigneault hasn’t shared the criticism with the player before talking about it in the media, well… that’s a sure way to lose the room and shorten your tenure.

- OT: Happy Birthday to the Greatest… Muhammad Ali turns 70 today.

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On the next SlapShot Radio, built by RiverBirch Homes

We are taking on the issue of fighting in the NHL. Pete and I chat with Adam Proteau of The Hockey News, he is the author of “Fighting the Good Fight” a new book about the subject. We’ll also get the other side as well with Preds radio color man Stu Grimson. All this on the SlapShot Radio podcast built by RiverBirch Homes at 6pm Wednesday on 102.5 the Game.

Click here to listen or download any of our previous shows.

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