A 5-1 loss at Pittsburgh isn’t the end of the world. By most accounts, the game was closer than the score indicates; however, there is cause for concern in Pred Nation. The Nashville Predators have lost five of their last six games. The only reason they haven’t dropped further in the standings is because of Detroit’s injury woes and the cushion they had built on the chase group.
Consider that cushion officially gone. While Nashville still holds the 5th spot, only one point behind Detroit, the streaking Chicago Blackhawks have closed the gap and are now tied in points with the Preds. Nashville has a game in hand and owns the ROW tiebreaker, but it is time to get back on the horse and win some games.
No better time than now. Tomorrow night, the former Atlanta Thrashers hit town, losers of their last two and seeing their flickering playoff hopes dim with each passing game. Expect a large contingent of new Pred fans make the drive from the Georgia capital to see their new favorite team take on the one that left them… should add some interesting back story to a game that Nashville needs to win.
The game is a sell out. Remember that there is a special start time of 6pm at Bridgestone Arena.
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“A Long March” – Tracing the stretch run…
Points Available – 30
Points Gained So Far – 11 out of 20
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 – L 5-1
3/24 – Winnipeg –
3/25 - @ Chicago –
3/27 - @ St. Louis –
3/30 - @ Detroit –
3/31 – Chicago –
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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 nine points and 4th place Detroit by one point. The Predators are tied with Chicago but own the tie-breaker. Nashville has one game in hand over Chicago and St. Louis.
- Alexander Radulov scored in his first game back and looked decent, considering the travel and the fact he hadn’t played for a couple of weeks. His quick stick on the Preds lone goal was nice to see.
- Pittsburgh clinched their playoff spot with the win last night.
- The Duncan Keith hit on Daniel Sedin is a large bone of contention. The NHL wants an in person meeting, never a good sign for disciplinary hearings.
- Los Angeles and Chicago are making moves thanks to extended winning streak. Los Angeles moved up to the Pacific Division lead and 3rd in the conference last night.
Tonight’s Impact Game
None
SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 99.9%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – Detroit 58.3%, Chicago 8.9%, Los Angeles 12.2%
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On the next
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The podcast for Wednesday’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 Chesnekov, plus, we spoke with a true hockey broadcasting icon, Penguins radio play-by-play man Mike Lange. Click
here to download the podcast.
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