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Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio
The Nashville Predators delivered a wholly satisfying 2-0 victory over the Dallas Stars last night In front of a franchise record 25th sellout crowd on the season, concluding the home portion of the team’s regular season schedule. The Predators wrapped up 2011-12 with a 26-10-5 record on Bridgestone Arena ice good for 4th best in the West and 7th best in the league.
After a close checking two periods, the Predators finally got the scoring going as Frankie Boullion banged home a rebound in the slot for his fourth goal of the year, all coming in the last five weeks. Patric Hornqvist added some insurance with two minutes to go, effectively ending the game... and Dallas' playoff hopes.
More importantly, combined with Detroit’s loss to New Jersey, the Predators now have complete control of what seed they get for the upcoming playoffs. They will finish no lower than 5th. A Nashville win or overtime/shootout loss on Saturday night in Colorado clinches home ice advantage for round one, no matter what else happens.
And believe me… more will happen before the puck drops at Pepsi Center at 8pm Saturday. It will be must watch hockey at Noon central on Saturday afternoon as Detroit will host Chicago to determine the rest of the playoff seeds on National TV. Pred Nation will be camped in front of their sets to see who their opponent will be and when the team will open on home ice. The scenario is fairly simple. Chicago owns the tiebreaker over Detroit; a regulation win for the Blackhawks puts the team in the five seed and on a plane to Nashville. Any point earned by the Red Wings will clinch the five spot for Detroit (and the four spot for the Preds) and render Nashville’s game against Colorado as meaningless to playoff seeding.
The fun has just begun.
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The playoff teams are set in both conferences but there is significant jockeying for position that will happen over the next two days. There is only one game on the NHL schedule tonight, St. Louis is hosting Phoenix and both teams still have something to play for. The Blues can win the Western Conference with wins tonight and tomorrow at Dallas. Phoenix can win the Pacific outright with wins tonight and tomorrow at Minnesota. The Desert Dogs are the only team in the Pacific fully in control of their playoff seeding.
San Jose and Los Angeles will most likely be the final game to conclude on Saturday night. These two teams are still in the thick of the chase for the Pacific Division crown and home ice in the first round. The Kings own the tie breaker over the Sharks.
In the East, the last slot was claimed by the Washington Capitals, but the Southeast Division crown is still in question. Florida currently holds the lead and a single point captures the title, however, if the Panthers lose to Carolina in regulation, and Washington beats the Rangers, the Capitals take the division. The New York Rangers have clinched the division, the Bruins have the two seed and the intra-state blood feud is on between Philly and Pittsburgh. The series is previewed tomorrow as the Pens and Flyers tangle in their regular season finales.
Everyone is in action tomorrow, 15 games, with start times that vary for Noon CDT to 9:30pm CDT… twelve hours of hockey!!!
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Random Notes…
- With 1 game remaining in the regular season, the Predators are 4th in the Western Conference standings with 102 points, leading 5th place Detroit by one point and leading 6th place Chicago by three points. The Predators own the tiebreakers with both teams. All three teams have played 81 games.
- Pekka Rinne was simply spectacular last night, earning a shutout and donuts for Pred Nation. Frankly both goaltenders were incredible last night as the play of Kari Lehtonen was the only reason Dallas was a close as they were in the game.
- You have to wonder… does Detroit want to drop to 6th for a chance at a “weaker” Pacific Division champ? I doubt it as the travel is much more impactful in going to LA/San Jose/Phoenix than easy trips to Nashville.
- Lots of tongues wagging about Ryan Clowe’s 7th man routine last night, interfering with play from the bench in the Sharks/Kings game. All four officials were in their proper positions, and missed it. I know that made Saturday’s rematch must-see TV.
- I feel really bad for the people of Glendale, AZ because their mayor doesn’t seem to have a clue. The Phoenix Coyotes are in the playoffs and have the opportunity to bring positive press and tourist dollars to the Glendale area. Good news right? But then Mayor Elaine Scruggs snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by loudly whining to anyone who would listen that she feels she was betrayed and misled by the NHL, which of course drew out every naysayer to comment on Twitter and the blogosphere, driving their own agendas against the league, the commissioner and life in general. Great job there Mayor… take aim at your own foot and pull the trigger. In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny… “What a maroon!!”
- I can’t let any discussion about last night’s action go without commenting on John Tortorella’s post-game rant about the Pittsburgh Penguins. One word… wow! The “let’s influence the league and the officials” lobbying has officially begun.
- The NCAA National Championship game is set as Boston College will play Ferris State on Saturday night in Tampa. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is the host school for the Frozen Four.
Tonight’s Impact Games
None
SportsClubStats Update - Nashville
Seeding Potential Percentages – 4th seed – 77%, 5th seed 23%
Highest % Potential Playoff Opponent – Detroit 71.6%, Chicago 28.4%
The Predators have no mathematical chance of finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th or 8th in the Western Conference.
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On the next
SlapShot Radio
Wednesday’s podcast is posted. We welcomed back ESPN.com’s Craig Custance and Dallas Stars TV Color Analyst Daryl “Razor” Reaugh, we will also previewed the huge Red Wings/Blues game with TrueHockey.com’s Andy Strickland. Wednesday’s at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.
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