SlapShot Radio has announced our first playoff watch party… it will be this Sunday at Blue Restaurant in Mufreesboro… more details to come…

Tongues were wagging all over Pred Nation as news broke of the players not participating in yesterday’s practice and the callup of Jeremy Smith to handle practice duty while Anders Lindback recovers from his “upper-body injury” sustained late in the Predators seasons finale at Colorado. The absence of Hal Gill, Brandon Yip and Alexander Radulov set off the speculation machine. All were on “maintenance days” and are expected back for practice at 11am today.

Now… my take on the Eastern conference playoffs…

#1 NY Rangers vs #8 Ottawa Senators – The classic matchup of two strengths… Rangers stingy defense vs. Senators high-powered offense. Ottawa took the season series against NY winning three of their four games. Keep a close eye on final scores, if the total goals per game exceed five, there may be an upset here, but I don’t see John Tortorella allowing that.
Offense – Advantage Ottawa
Defense – Advantage New York
Goaltending – Advantage New York
Special Teams – Slight Advantage Ottawa
Coaching – Advantage New York
Prediction – Rangers in five

#2 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Washington Capitals - Can’t you just hear the Tim Thomas going to Washington jokes starting? This is an incredibly dangerous series for the defending Cup champs. The Bruins are balanced, powerful and battle tested, the Capitals feature offensive stars, a roller coaster of a season and big questions in net. Washington has to play a perfect series… and even that may not be enough.
Offense – Advantage Boston
Defense – Advantage Boston
Goaltending – Advantage Boston
Special Teams – Advantage Boston
Coaching – Advantage Boston
Prediction – Bruins in five

#3 Florida Panthers vs. #6 New Jersey Devils - I wonder if New Jersey head coach Peter DeBoer has a chip on his shoulder. The former Panthers head coach goes up against his former team in an intriguing matchup. If you go by how both teams finished the regular season, then the Devils should win this one in a walk. The teams split their season series. Maybe it’s just my need to see mainstream hockey writers heads explode, but I smell upset here.
Offense – Advantage New Jersey
Defense – Advantage Florida
Goaltending – Advantage New Jersey
Special Teams – Advantage Even
Coaching – Advantage New Jersey
Prediction – Panthers in seven

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers - The expectations for a series like this would be sky high even without the Sunday donnybrook between these two teams a few weeks ago. This cross-state rivalry series has all the potential to become a filthy, nasty, 70’s style street fight. Despite the protestations to the contrary, the Pens can get as dirty as they need too, the Flyers don’t even try to hide it. The players don’t like each other, the coaches don’t like each other, the cities don’t like each other, the peanut vendors don’t like each other… this one is going to be fun.
Offense – Advantage Pittsburgh
Defense – Advantage Even
Goaltending – Advantage Pittsburgh
Special Teams – Advantage Even
Coaching – Advantage Even
Prediction – Penguins in seven incredibly tough games

I’ll be checking in with the West tomorrow.

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Random Notes…

- Twitter is blowing up this morning about a Russian writer saying the Predators offered Alexander Radulov a contract valued at $9 million a year… no way, no how…

- The Red Wings are getting healthier, Danny Cleary will play in Game 1, Darren Helm was scheduled to return for Game 2, but now is speculated to possibly return for game 1. Ahhh… the curative powers of the playoffs!

- ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun has named Bridgestone Arena one of the five best home-ice advantages, interesting that three of the five arenas he names are in the Central Division, Chicago and Detroit being the other two.

- Games 1, 2 and 5 will be broadcast locally on SportsSouth with the Voice of the Nashville Predators Pete Weber and Terry Crisp calling the action. Should the series continue past game five, announcements will be made on local productions.

- I do appreciate the national broadcasts after round one, but I think there should be a way for local teams to get their local broadcasters on TV, the technology is there, why not on a separate audio channel only available in the local markets using the national feed? It seems to be a simple solution…

- The Predators used both sheets of ice for practice yesterday, unusual for the team to do that outside of training camp.

- The NHL Draft Lottery is tonight

- Glad to Steve Sullivan get another shot in the playoffs… great guy and he has been a solid add for the Pens.

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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.

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On the next SlapShot Radio

There will not be a show this week due to the Predators playoff schedule, however… we will be having a watch party at Blue Restaurant in Murfreesboro on Sunday… We had a great crowd and an awesome time last February so we are doing it again!

Click here to download or listen to previous podcasts.

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