It’s a game night as the Nashville Predators are in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins at Consol Energy Center and all of the focus in this late season inter-conference game is on the return of a star, a star that has been out of his team’s lineup for quite awhile. Funny how quickly a story can turn from Sidney Crosby, to Alexander Radulov. Crosby’s return to the Pen’s lineup has been the boost all expected, the team is 3-0-1 since his return. We may begin to find out tonight what Radulov’s return will mean to the Preds.

This is the only meeting of the year for these two playoff bound teams. Pittsburgh still has its sights set on the Atlantic Division title and the conference lead that will come with it. Nashville is in a heated battle for home ice advantage with Detroit and the suddenly red hot Chicago Blackhawks.

One of the storylines from tonight’s game will be between the pipes. Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury has quietly put together a Vezina-worthy season, Nashville’s Pekka Rinne has done the same, and is following a very un-Rinne-like performance against the Edmonton Oilers when he was pulled early in the second period. Rinne usually follows a night like that with an excellent performance.

Not much change on the injury front, Roman Josi is not expected in the lineup tonight, Paul Gaustad and Colin Wilson are listed as day-to-day. Pittsburgh is healthy, only missing backup goalie Brent Johnson and forward Joe Vitale.

All eyes will be on the day of game skate… will Radulov be on a line with Patric Hornqvist and David Legwand like he was in yesterday’s practice? Then the question will become, will he go or not tonight? Considering the travel A-Rad has gone through over the past 48 hours, jet lag could be a very real factor in the decision, fifteen hours on a plane has an effect.

Game time is 6pm, the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber and Terry Crisp have the call on Fox Sports Tennessee, Tom Callahan is on the mic for the Predators Radio Network flagship 102.5 the Game with Willy Daunic handling the pre and post game hosting duties. The Pittsburgh TV feed is also being picked up by NHL Network.

----------------------------------

“A Long March” – Tracing the stretch run…
Points Available – 30
Points Gained So Far – 11 out of 18

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 – L 6-3
3/22 - @ Pittsburgh –
3/24 – Winnipeg –
3/25 - @ Chicago –
3/27 - @ St. Louis –
3/30 - @ Detroit –
3/31 – Chicago –

-----------------------------------


Random Notes…

- With 9 games remaining in the regular season, the Predators are 5th in the Western Conference standings with 92 points, trailing conference leading St. Louis by eight points and 4th place Detroit by one point. The Predators are tied with Chicago but own the tie-breaker. Nashville has two games in hand over Chicago, one game in hand over St. Louis and Detroit.

- Game Time Reminder – Don’t forget that Saturday night’s game has a special 6pm start time. Hockey Night in Canada will be providing regional coverage of the game in parts of Canada.

- There seems to some confusion about Colin Wilson’s absence from the lineup for the past few days as I’ve been repeatedly asked if he is “back in the doghouse.” Nope, he is injured… reportedly a groin issue.

- Putting on my coach’s hat for a moment… once Paul Gaustad and Colin Wilson get healthy, can you imagine the lines?

SK74 / Fisher / Erat
Hornqvist / Legwand / Radulov
Wilson / Gaustad / AK46

Yikes, I wouldn’t mind seeing those lines roll at all.

- Jim Diamond has a great piece in today’s Examiner about Tuesday night’s blueliner of the game, here's the link. Jim provides great coverage of the Preds and needs to be part of your everyday reading.

- Lost in all the Radu-mania is the fact that the Predators will renew acquaintances with an old friend tonight. Steve Sullivan is having a solid season with the Pens, 40 points (14g,26a) in 72 games. Nice to see Sully doing well with Pittsburgh.

- Vancouver dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to the Chicago Blackhawks last night… and that may be the good news for Canuck fans as Daniel Sedin took a nasty elbow from Chicago’s Duncan Keith in the first period and left the game shortly after. Expect the Shanahammer to fall on Keith. Given what Shane Doan just got, I expect three games at a minimum. The bad blood between these two teams just continues…

- Stories are coming out that the NHL’s patience with owning the Phoenix Coyotes is starting to run out. TSN’s Darren Draeger is saying (on Twitter) that the league will begin investigating “Plan B” if there isn’t progress on the team’s sale this week.

Tonight’s Impact Game

St. Louis @ Los Angeles – The Blues dropped a 4-3 decision at Anaheim last night and have Los Angeles tonight. The Blues can’t be happy about blowing a third period lead. LA is currently in the 8 spot and is looking to move up. The Kings are on a five game win streak and are gaining a reputation for being the team you don’t want to meet in the first round.

SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 99.97%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – Detroit 63.7%, Chicago 10.2%, Dallas 8.9%, Los Angeles 7.3%

----------------------------------

You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

-------------------------------------

On the next SlapShot Radio

The podcast for last night’s SlapShot Radio is posted, Pete and I talked all things Radulov with one of the most knowledgeable sources out there, Puck Daddy’s Dmitry Chesnokov, plus, we spoke with a true hockey broadcasting icon, Penguins radio play-by-play man Mike Lange. Click here to download the podcast.

-------------------------------------

KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.

Join the Discussion: » 90 Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville