UPDATE - With the firing of Lindy Ruff earlier today, Barry Trotz takes over as the longest tenured coach with one team in the NHL.

There’s nothing like the day after a win over the Red Wings, the sun shines brighter, the coffee tastes better, your outlook on life is better. OK, ok… that’s a little overboard, but moods In Pred Nation are definitely elevated after last night’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win over Detroit.

Another thing lightening the mood for Predator fans is the breakout of the captain, Shea Weber. After a slow start, Weber has caught fire offensively, scoring the game winner and adding an assist to bring his scoring total for this season to 3 goals and 4 assists with six of those points coming in the last four games. His defensive game has been on point for the entire season, now that his offensive game is rounding into shape the “Weber isn’t a candidate for the Norris” stuff will quiet down.

I gotta admit… it was a strange game, the first and third periods were flat out odd… both teams playing a game that is outside their comfort zone, where the second period as a typical game between these two combatants. The wide open, firewagon hockey on display for the long stretches of the first and third were definitely atypical.

Full marks to Pavel Datsyuk who put on a show last night… keeping the puck on a string… dazzling with inhuman moves, including his weave through four Nashville defenders to tie the game at three. This injured Detroit team won’t go gently… I don’t expect this four game losing streak to continue for much longer.

The team is back in action Friday night at home, welcoming in the Vancouver Canucks.

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SlapShot Radio is live at Bridgestone Arena tonight, we have a great lineup of guests tonight including Mike Fisher! Coach Peter Horachek! Original Predator Andrew Brunette and Vancouver broadcaster Rick Ball! If you can’t join us live… tune in on the SlapShot Radio Network. Our flagship station is 102.5 the Game… we are also on WWIC in Scottsboro, AL and WHOP in Hopkinsville, KY.

Make sure to check out the SlapShot Radio Facebook page for our first Caption contest! We have five finalists and the voting is happening at the SSR. We’ve got a couple of tickets for Friday’s game against Vancouver for the winner, who will be announced on tonight’s show.

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Random Notes

- Headline from column in today’s fishwrapper “Pekka Rinne is best option for Nashville Predators.” Really??? Well thank you Mr. Obvious!

- Nice video tribute to Jordin Tootoo during the first TV Timeout last night with a classy ovation from Pred Nation, thanking him for his time in Nashville.

- Last night’s loss dropped the Red Wings out of the top eight

- Marian Hossa went down again in last night’s Chicago/Vancouver game. Canucks forward Jannik Hansen will face the judgment of Shanahan in a hearing today.

- Chicago tied the record for consecutive points in games to start a season last night with their 16th consecutive game with a point.

- Good doubleheader on NBCSN tonight on Rivalry Wednesday starting off with Philly and Pittsburgh and St. Louis takes on Colorado in the nightcap.

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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! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1

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

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SlapShot Radio will be live from the studio on the concourse at Bridgestone Arena this Wednesday, Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. Rick Ball from Vancouver will be joining us, along with former original Predator Andrew Burnette. Live in studio will be one of the Predators coaches and a Predators player.

SlapShot Radio is brought to you by Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (615-872-7762), your Metro Public Health Department and SysTech International, Drainage Solutions Rx (call Greg at 615-533-9061) and Brinkmann's Wine and Spirits at (615) 778-0707… and our newest sponsor Burger Republic, check their excellent menu out at their website, Defend Quality… Burger Republic.

Want to be part of the SlapShot Radio family?

Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base, we have special deals available as we re-launch our season with the best hockey talk in the mid-South. Contact me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com

Radio station owners/programmers, contact us to carry SlapShot Radio on your station, we are satellite delivered every week via the SlapShot Radio Network.

Our podcasts are posted… Click here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.

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