After a couple of days of rest, recuperation and integration of new players into the lineup, the Nashville Predators are back in action tonight, taking on the Florida Panthers. The Panthers feature ex-Preds Jerred Smithson, Scottie Upshall, Marcel Goc and Mike Santorelli, all finding homes in South Florida.

The Panthers are battling for a playoff spot, an unusual situation in Sunrise as this franchise has struggled to find any consistency since their magical run to the Stanley Cup finals in the mid-90’s. GM Dale Tallon has assembled a solid group that is competing for a Southeast Division title, a position they currently hold, however, the Winnipeg Jets are only three points back and the Washington Capitals are only four back.

Injuries may be a factor tonight for the Cats, Kris Versteeg is listed as questionable, John Madden and Scottie Upshall are listed as out, along with Dmitry Kulikov and Matt Bradley. Kevin Klein is listed as out tonight and word is that Brian McGrattan has been activated from Injured Reserve.

Game time is 6:30pm at BankAtlantic Center, Pete Weber and Terry Crisp have the call on Fox Sports Tennessee, Tom Callahan is has the radio call on 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network.

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“A Long March” – Tracking the stretch run…
Points Available – 30
Points Gained So Far – 0 out of 0

3/03 – @ Florida –
3/06 – Los Angeles –
3/08 – Colorado –
3/10 – Detroit –
3/12 – @ Phoenix –
3/15 – @ San Jose –
3/17 – @ Los Angeles –
3/18 - @ Anaheim –
3/20 – Edmonton –
3/22 - @ Pittsburgh –
3/24 – Winnipeg –
3/25 - @ Chicago –
3/27 - @ St. Louis –
3/30 - @ Detroit –
3/31 – Chicago –

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Random Notes…

- With 18 games remaining in the regular season, the Predators remain 5th in the Western Conference standings with 81 points, trailing division leading Detroit by 8 points and St. Louis by 6 points. The Predators lead Chicago by 4 points. Nashville has a game in hand over Detroit and St. Louis, two in hand over Chicago.

- Really nice story on the Examiner about Hal Gill’s quick trip back to Montreal. Check out Jim Diamond’s story here.

- Spot the best team in the east a two goal lead… then come back and win. Nice comeback from Tampa last night to take down the Rangers.

- Ummmm, someone tell the Red Wings that not having Nik Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk is supposed to hurt them… not last night… they owned Minnesota 6-0.

- Nothing like a little Canadian media tire pumping. Erik Karlsson as a Norris favorite??? Candidate? Yup. Favorite? Nope.

- Big win for Chicago last night, taking down Ottawa 2-1.

- So, Randy Carlyle is new coach in Toronto. OK, what’s the over/under on how long he lasts?

Tonight’s Impact Game
St. Louis @ San Jose – The Blues seem to have gotten their road act together, they are now at .500 (14-14-3) on the road but HP Pavilion is a tough place to win. San Jose is desperately trying to right the ship as they are only three points from dropping out of the top eight.

SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 99.7%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – St. Louis 57.3%, Detroit 31.2%

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On the next SlapShot Radio

We are back on Wednesday 3/7 with Steve Lepore of Puck the Media and much more on 102.5 the Game… Click here to listen or download any of our previous episodes.

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