Can a week in February be considered a crucial week in a season? Looking at the Predators schedule this week, the answer is an emphatic yes! Not critical in a “make the playoffs or not” sense, but definitely in a playoff positioning sense.

Entering this week, Nashville stands a solid fifth in the Western Conference. Five points ahead of Tuesday night’s opponent, the swooning Chicago Blackhawks. They also stand eight points behind the conference leading Detroit Red Wings, who just happen to be Friday night’s opponent. Yup… crucial is a good word for this week.

Chicago is in Nashville tomorrow night, owners of an eight game losing streak, the Blackhawks are in the middle of a nine game road trip that has grown to resemble a death march with six consecutive losses. The team hasn’t won a game since January 20th. Chicago has issues in net and a defense that isn’t stepping up. Want proof? The ‘Hawks have outscored 27-12 since the break. Players and coaches are all saying the right things in the media, expressing confidence that they can go on a run and right the ship, but I do expect GM Stan Bowman to make some moves to shore up the situation… especially between the pipes.

After a Wednesday gala to benefit the Predators Foundation, the Preds travel to Motown for a Friday night date with the Red Wings. This Detroit team just etched its’ name into the record books by tying the NHL record for consecutive home wins yesterday with a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia. The Wings join the 29-30 Bruins and the 75-76 Flyers as the only teams to win 20 straight at home. Chances are good that by the time Nashville gets to Detroit, the Wings will be gunning for number 22.

The Predators close out the week with a trip to Dallas for a Sunday night game against the Stars.

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SlapShot Radio's fundraiser to benefit C.A.P.E. was a huge success! Our silent auction raised over $1100 and we had a great time watching the game at Blue Restaurant in Murfreesboro. I’d like to thank all those who donated to the silent auction including Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Coleman’s Dynamic Products, Jim Leutgens, Ivan and Rebecca Santamaria, the Nashville Predators, and Blue Restaurant.

Big thanks to Greg Pogue and the staff at Blue for hosting us and for donating 20% of the food proceeds from the event to CAPE.

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Random Notes

- The Predators are 5th in the Western Conference standings, trailing conference leading Detroit by 8 points. Nashville trails St. Louis by five points. The Predators lead Chicago by five points. St. Louis has one game in hand over Nashville and Chicago and two games in hand over Detroit. The Predators have a game in hand on Detroit.

- Fascinating read by David Boclair in the City Paper on the Prodigal Predator, Alexander Radulov. I have to admit, I’ve heard quite a few rumors on a potential return from some very credible sources… read it here

- Talk about pushing the panic button… Jesse Rogers on ESPN Chicago is asking if the Blackhawks need to fire coach Joel Quinneville… wow… you can read his case here

- I thought the Canadian press knew hockey? Just ask them, they'll tell you... Ken Warren in the Ottawa Citizen makes the sweeping statement that the Southeast Division “just isn’t very good. It has been that way ever since the league adopted its current structure.” Really??? I agree that this year the division is not very good and will only put one team in the playoffs… but “it has been that way ever since the league adopted its current structure?” Hmmm, I need to look into this… Since Atlanta and Columbus have joined the league the Central and the Atlantic have 3 cups each with 4 and 5 SCF final appearances respectively. The Southeast and Pacific have two 2 cups each with three SCF appearances each. The Northeast and Northwest have one cup each with 3 and 4 SCF appearances respectively. He tries to make a point by the number of teams that have made the playoffs… but conveniently forgets playoff performance, by that standard, Mr. Warren’s theory gets blown to smithereens.

Tonight’s Impact Games
Phoenix @ Vancouver – The Coyotes are on a five game win streak and have snuck into the 8 spot in the Western Conference standings. Vancouver continues their solid play and look to get back on the winning track after their shootout loss to Calgary on Saturday night.

SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 97.8%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – St. Louis 40.7%, Detroit 34.2%

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On the next SlapShot Radio

We will be chatting with the always outspoken Jeremy Roenick of NBC Sports Network and replaying our in-depth interview with The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau. All this on SlapShot Radio, Wednesday at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.

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

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