Oh noes, he’s not coming. What will we do? This is awful? How could he turn his back on us like that? Wait, what? Oooooh... You mean Peyton Manning’s not coming? Yawn.

We got a playoff race to cover, and it feels like playoff weather. Springtime temperatures in Nashville and a Game Night in Smashville as the Predators return home after a moderately successful west coast swing. This is the start of seven games in twelve days with four of them on the road, six of them against teams in the playoff hunt. The only one not in a battle for the playoffs is tonight’s opponent, the Edmonton Oilers.

The Oilers have been fairly successful at home this season, posting a record equal to some playoff teams, their issue has been on the road where they have gathered less points than any other team in the NHL… including Columbus. The first game back from a long roadie, with the Penguins and Jets on the horizon, along with Central Division Showdown week after that, tonight’s game is the classic definition of trap game.

It will be a test of the Predators mettle as they have an opportunity to seize firm control of the 4th spot in the Western Conference as the Red Wings dropped a rare home game to Washington last night giving the Preds a chance to gain the points lead, with a critical game in hand. Nashville will need to build on the momentum of a three goal third period that led to their win over Anaheim and will need to avoid all of the distraction of the Return of the Prodigal Pred.

Puck drop is at 7pm, Pete Weber and Terry Crisp are calling the action on Fox Sports Tennessee, Tom Callahan and Stu Grimson have the call on the Predator’s Radio Network flagship 102.5 the Game. Limited tickets remain and another sellout is expected.

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“A Long March” – Tracing the stretch run…
Points Available – 30
Points Gained So Far – 11 out of 16

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 – W (SO) 5-4
3/15 – @ San Jose – OTL (SO) 2-1
3/17 – @ Los Angeles – L 4-2
3/18 - @ Anaheim – W 3-1
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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As a lot of readers know, the McCann family has been part of the Father Ryan High School community for quite a few years. All three of our children attend or have graduated from this fine school. The FRHS community is grieving for one of its own today as Kevin Paul Davis, youngest son to the school’s principal Paul Davis, died in an accident while traveling abroad.

Please extend your thoughts to this fine family as they attempt to deal with something no parent should have to deal with. To the Davis and Sharp families, you are in our prayers.

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Random Notes…

- With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Predators remain 4th in the Western Conference standings with 92 points, trailing conference leading St. Louis by eight points and tied with Detroit in points but the Preds hold the tie-breaker. The Predators lead Chicago by four points. Nashville has one game in hand over St. Louis, Detroit and Chicago.

- Alexander Radulov tweeted a picture of himself on a plane and stated that he was “in the plane going to New York then Nashville.” His Twitter handle is @RADUL22. Might we have a Radulov sighting at Bridgestone Arena tonight? The picture was posted at 4:22am central time, that will all depend on A-Rads plane schedule.

- Congratulations to Martin Erat on being named third start of the week, well deserved for a player that has quietly put together a very good season.

- As I’ve been tracking SportsClubStats.com for the last month or so, the Predators most likely playoff opponent has been either St. Louis or Detroit. There’s a new team creeping up the percentage scale, Detroit’s free fall has Chicago in the mix now. Not sure how I feel about that one.

- Another injury for the Red Wings as Darren Helm sprained an MCL on Saturday night and will be out for 4-6 weeks.

- Speaking of the Red Wings, since their record 23 game home win streak, the team is 3-8-2.

- The New York Rangers punched their ticket for the playoffs last night, becoming the second team to clinch a playoff slot after the St. Louis Blues.

Tonight’s Impact Game

Chicago @ Columbus – The Blackhawks have won seven of their last ten and are heating up at the right time while Columbus is playing out the string. If the newly padded Steve Mason shows up for the Jackets, this one could be interesting.

SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 99.99%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – St. Louis 1.4%, Detroit 82.5%, Chicago 6.7%

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On the next SlapShot Radio

We are back Wednesday night as Pete and I will talk all things Radulov with one of the most knowledgeable sources out there, Puck Daddy’s Dmitry Chesnekov, plus, we’ll get you ready for the Pittsburgh game with one of the true iconic voices in hockey, Penguins radio play-by-play man Mike Lange. Join us Wednesday at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.

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

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