The Nashville Predators get back to work this morning to start preparing for their Western Conference Semi-Final series. While their opponent is not yet determined, the scenarios are pretty clear.
The Predators will play the Phoenix Coyotes if…
- The Coyotes win their series with Chicago and
- The Los Angeles Kings win their series with Vancouver
The Predators will play the Chicago Blackhawks and have home ice advantage if…
- Chicago comes back to win their series with Phoenix
- The Los Angeles Kings win their series with Vancouver
The Predators will play the Vancouver Canucks if…
- Vancouver comes back to win their series over Los Angeles
- Phoenix wins their series with Chicago
(edit)
The Predators will play the St. Louis Blues if... (thanks to jmayfield for the correction)
- Vancouver comes back to win their series with LA
- Chicago comes back to win their series with Phoenix
(end edit)
There is no possible scenario that has the Predators playing either the Los Angeles Kings in the Semi-Finals.
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Let’s talk about the Raffi Torres suspension. The league suspended the Phoenix forward for 25 games for his hit on Marian Hossa in game three of the Chicago / Phoenix series. I don’t see very many people defending the hit with any vigor… that’s a good thing. It was a clear head shot that the league has been very clear about getting rid of. If I were Torres, I would shut up, take the punishment and LEARN SOMETHING! Maybe give Matt Cooke a call, get some best practices…
OK… here’s my issue with all of the carping and complaining about the suspension… these complaints are all focused in the wrong direction. There is one person and one person alone that is accountable…
Raffi Torres.
It is not the league’s fault that this guy refuses to learn. It’s not Brendan Shanahan’s… it’s not the NHLPA’s… it’s not Shea Weber’s... really… I’ve read multiple sources trying to lay the blame on Weber for his unsuspended face plant of Henrik Zetterberg in game one of the Preds/Wings series.
Maybe I am oversimplifying, but there is a very easy solution to this. In these situations, have the player suspended for the length of time it takes the injured player to return to his team. First time... every time.
Do you think anyone would be pulling this crap if, back in 2004, a rule like that was in place? Todd Bertuzzi would be out of the league as the player he injured, Steve Moore, has still not recovered from his injuries. Now THAT is a strong message, delivered to the right place. The message ... you will put your career at risk for a head shot.
But that is just too simple, and the agenda-driven apologists would rather throw the blame everywhere else.
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In case you missed it… SlapShot Radio’s photographer was busy at game five… check out the album at
the SlapShot Radio Website.
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As the PA Announcer for the Nashville Predators, not only do I have a dream job, I also get to work with a great bunch of entertainment professionals that produce one of the best game experiences in the NHL. The ring leader of this bunch of crazies is a guy named Ron Zolkower. Ron has been the game producer in Nashville for the past five seasons and does an outstanding job herding this particular bunch of cats. I am also very lucky to consider him a friend.
Ron was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 2 and has been successfully managing the disease for all of his life. We’re pretty used to seeing him adjust his insulin pump on a regular basis and calculating to balance the effects of the media meal every game night.
One of the impacts of this disease is that as you age, you lose the ability to sense when your blood sugar is losing its balance. Ron is starting to show these signs, and living alone can be a real challenge when this starts.
There is a solution to this issue, a Diabetic Alert Dog from a great organization in North Carolina called Eyes, Ears, Nose and Paws, Inc. A Diabetic Assistance Dog does the following (from the EENP Website)
Diabetic Assistance Dogs use their noses to assist individuals with diabetes by detecting fluctuating blood sugar levels and alerting their handlers to these changes, preventing hypoglycemic comas and helping diabetic individuals to better regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetic Assistance Dogs can rouse a sleeping handler or, if needed, alert another person to the medical emergency.
You can see how this could be so helpful. A dog like this is expensive… and very necessary.
Ron, reluctantly, has set up a
fundraising page to help defray these costs. He set a goal that won’t even come close to handling all the costs. Those that know Ron realize that he absolutely hates asking for help here.
I’d love to blow the goal Ron set away, and get as close as we can to the real cost of this.
Click on the
link… anything you can do would be a help…
Hockey fans are the best and we take care of our own. Join us, won’t you?
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Playoff Look
East
NYR vs. OTT – Senators lead 3-2 – Next game is Monday
BOS vs. WSH – Capitals lead 3-2 – Next game is today
FLA vs. NJD – Panthers lead 3-2 – Next game is Tuesday
PIT vs. PHI – Flyers lead 3-2 – Next Game is today
West
VAN vs. LAK – Kings lead 3-1 – Next game is tonight
STL vs. SJS – Blues win 4-1 – Series Complete
PHX vs. CHI – Coyotes lead 3-2 – Next game is Monday
NSH vs. DET – Predators win 4-1 – Series complete
Closeout Opportunities Today
You could call this Elimination Sunday in the NHL, three games on the schedule today and every one has a closeout opportunity… now the fun really begins!
It’s an 11:15 CDT faceoff for the Flyers and Penguins at what is sure to be a raucous Wells Fargo Center. The pucker factor is rising in Philly. They need a big game from Bryzgalov today, no question. Game coverage on NBC
Boston and Washington have a back-to-back after Washington’s late game win yesterday, the Caps can take out the defending champs at home. It’s a 2pm CDT faceoff. NBC has this game at the conclusion of the Flyers and Penguins.
Finishing of trio of games on Elimination Sunday is the Kings visiting a desperate Vancouver team. LA is up 3-1 and their excellent netminder Jonathan Quick has taken up residence inside the Kings heads. Game time is 7pm CDT on NBC Sports Network.
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Random Notes…
- You have to appreciate the attitude of the Predators after Friday’s series clinching victory. No wild locker room celebration, just a simple appreciation of what they had accomplished… and a simple recognition that they haven’t won anything yet. This is a team who’s eyes are firmly focused on the prize.
- A quick check of Ticketmaster.com shows less than 500 tickets remain for the Preds first home game of the semi-final series, less than a thousand for the second.
- There go those three seeds, Both Florida and Phoenix are leading their series 3-2.
- Another one seed on the ropes. The Rangers find themselves down 3-2 going back to Ottawa.
- The St. Louis Blues may have driven a blow up in San Jose as they took out the Sharks in five games.
- Five games, five overtimes… the Blackhawks came up big last night as Jonathan Toews scored the OT game winner, sending the series back to Chicago for Tuesday night’s game six.
- Last night’s series win was St. Louis’ first in ten years.
- Interesting how Tim Thomas came up small in the Bruins loss last night. That does not portend well for the Capitals… he rarely puts in two bad performances in a row.
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link.
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On the next
SlapShot Radio
The guest list for Wednesday’s show is being assembled… we will publish as soon as we get confirmations. 6pm on 102.5 the Game.
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here to download or listen to our current or previous podcasts.
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