Some great pictures from SlapShot Radio's intrepid photographer... time for today's Sunday Shots. Go to the SlapShot Radio website for all of the pics.

From Nashville vs Detroit March 10, 2012

Photos courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio

Games with Detroit are always fun, especially when the Predators take two from the Red Wings on a sold out Smashville Saturday night. Nashville started strong, slipped slightly but ultimately came away with a critical 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Some quick chemestry has been found on the power play between the brothers Kostitsyn and David Legwand, they hooked up for two power play goals with the exact same scoring line, Legwand to SK74 to AK46 for the finish... and finish he did. Away from the white hot glare of the Montreal media, Andrei Kostitsyn has been released and seems to have found his scoring touch again. Six points in five games (3g, 3a) is a great indicator of that. AK46 has reinvigorated Nashville power play and seems to be integrating himself into the Nashville lineup seemlessly.

A short handed Red Wing team mising three top players made a valiant effort tonight, but ultimately, they couldn't solve Pekka Rinne. The road record now drops to two games below .500 with the next three on the road, not a good recipe for the Wings.

A statement win for a Predators team that really wants to get in position to host their first round series. Given the home records of the two most likely first round opponents, it will be a major advantage to have home ice.

Now for some good team bonding time as the Predators head out on their last long road trip of the regular season. The team leaves today for Phoenix for a Monday nighter against the Coyotes, then head to San Jose for a Thursday tilt against the rapidly fading Sharks. They finish the trip with a back-to-back weekend set LA on Saturday, Anaheim on Sunday before heading back to Smashville.

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“A Long March” – Tracking the stretch run…
Points Available – 30
Points Gained So Far – 6 out of 8

3/03 – @ Florida – W 3-1
3/06 – Los Angeles – L 5-4
3/08 – Colorado – W 4-2
3/10 – Detroit – W 3-2
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 14 games remaining in the regular season, the Predators remain 5th in the Western Conference standings with 87 points, trailing conference leading St. Louis by eight points and Detroit by four points. The Predators lead Chicago by six points. Nashville has one game in hand over Detroit, St. Louis and Chicago.

- Colin Wilson was back in the lineup last night. Scratches were Kevin Klein, Craig Smith, Jack Hillen, Brian McGrattan and Brandon Yip.

- The Sidney Crosby watch is on... looks like Thursday right now.

- Ilya Bryzgalov seems to have shaken the HBO 24/7 hangover he's been suffering from. He and the Philadelphia Flyers have been on fire lately.

Tonight’s Impact Games

St. Louis @ Columbus - The back end of a home and home, St. Louis won last night, the Jackets have been better at home but they just don't have much to play for.

Los Angels @ Chicago - The Kings need a win and they are in a bad place to try and get one. LA is trying to avoid a three game losing streak and Chicago is trying to get on a roll to avoid dropping back any further in the West.

SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 99.9%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – St. Louis 17.0%, Detroit 75.6%


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On the next SlapShot Radio

This week’s podcast is posted, we were live at Blackstone Brewery with Steve Lepore of Puck the Media, Jeff Marek from Sportsnet and Peter McNab from the Colorado broadcast team
Click here to listen or download any of our previous episodes.

No SlapShot Radio this week… we’re being pre-empted by extensive March Madness coverage on 102.5 the Game.

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