The Nashville Predators are on the left coast for the first of three games against the California teams. Expect Starbucks sales to go up as Pred Nation will be brewing up the coffee for tonight’s 9pm puck drop. There has been some interesting news in the NHL over the last few days… I will be weighing in on that in this blog after my game preview…
The Predators come into tonight’s game with Anaheim with a little momentum on the strength of Monday night’s come-from-behind thriller overtime win over Dallas. A game that finally exhibited the breakout potential of Roman Josi, who posted two goals and two assists in the first four-point outing of his career. Anaheim on the other hand, is coming off a 5-2 loss at Staples Center at the hands of the resurgent LA Kings. It was the first loss of the season for Ducks rookie goaltender Viktor Fasth.
This Pacific Division swing could be just the thing for Nashville to get on the kind of a roll that should cement their playoff positioning… and no, it is not too early to discuss that. While Nashville currently stands fourth in the conference, it is important to keep in mind that the team is only two points ahead of the three way tie for the last two spots and only three points ahead of 10th place LA. The Predators have gone 6-1-2 against the Pacific so far this season, including a pair of overtime losses to these Ducks. This is the final game of the season series.
Game time is 9pm Central, coverage on Fox Sports South with Pete Weber and Terry Crisp. Radio coverage is led by Tom Callahan and Stu Grimson on 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network. Pre game is hosted by Willy Daunic and will start at 8:3opm.
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Here we go again, it’s time to look at realignment. News broke over the weekend (from the always on top of things Elliotte Fredman) that discussions were happening, then ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun got a copy of the memo from the NHL to all 30 teams.
The big news in this… at least the difference from the last proposal, is that Detroit and Columbus will head to – for lack of a better term – “eastern” conferences. I know it has been a open secret that Detroit has been promised a move, so this would fulfill that promise. The other change from previous proposals is that the “western” half of the conferences will be the ones with seven teams. Putting on the “Oliver Stone” hat, it sets things up beautifully for the addition of two teams. Vegas and Seattle fits in nicely, dontcha think?
For Pred Nation, the impact is two fold… the loss of two huge rivalries and potential ticket sales. Columbus came into the league a year after Nashville and has struggled to keep up in the hyper competitive west. The Blue Jackets simply have not had the kind of organization to build the kind of team to be successful, failed GM’s, failed coaches, silly front office moves have all lead to this. Think it’s going to get any easier for them? Think again… now they get the Flyers, Rangers, Penguins, Devils and Caps to wail away on them.
Detroit has always been the measuring stick for Pred fans, and for the franchise. Losing a couple of Red Wing games a year does take away a couple of circled games on the calendar, but more importantly, takes away a couple of almost guaranteed sellouts. As the Predators continue to grow at the box office (23 consecutive sellouts and still going) this admittedly becomes less of a factor.
Enough of the negative… let’s talk the good stuff in this.
Maintaining Chicago and St. Louis is very good, again, teams are close enough for the weekend road trip. Adding Minnesota is more impactful, especially given some to the back stories between the two clubs (Wild owned by former Pred owner, Ryan Suter, etc.) Dallas is also a nice choice. Colorado and Winnipeg are neutral, except for the fact that Preds head coach Barry Trotz will get to go to his home province multiple times per year. Also, it is noted that a lot of folks were saying that playing Atlanta regularly would’ve been a boon to both franchises, it’s a few years too late, but better late than never I guess.
This needs to be approved by both the Board of Governors and the NHLPA so we are still at the starting line, but this one seems to have more chance of approval.
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We’ve got a great SlapShot Radio on tap for you tonight as our special guest co-host is 102.5 the Game’s Willy Daunic. We will be talking to Sports Illustrated’s Stu Hackel about his Coaches on the Hot Seat column. We are also talking with USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen and much, much more… 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.
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Random Notes
- Pred enforcer Brian McGrattan is now on waivers, we will know by later today if he clears and he gets assigned to Milwaukee.
- Nashville has gone to overtime in 50% of their games… a representation of the razor thin margin of success for this team so far.
- How snakebit are the Columbus Blue Jackets? Well, James Wisniewski has a broken foot, joining Jack Johnson on the injured list. I see a new Nationwide Arena game coming, Who Wants to Be A Blueliner! Add this to the list that already includes Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Arnisimov and Derick Brassrd. Trouble in C-bus.
- Trades yesterday all fall around the theme of “Back to the Future” … Michael Ryder was traded back to Montreal for Erik Cole and Simone Gagne was traded back to Philadelphia for a conditional draft pick. Hey… we’re puttin’ the band back together.
- Crazy one in Florida last night as the Panthers posted a 6-4 win over Pittsburgh after blowing a three goal lead.
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