It’s Game Night in Smashville as last year’s second round playoff opponent, the Phoenix Coyotes hit town. With both teams fighting for the playoff lives, this tilt should be a good one. The Coyotes lost in overtime last night in Minnesota, extending their losing streak to seven, with two of those losses coming in extra time. With 31 points they stand 13th in the West and Phoenix is rapidly running out of runway. The Predators are looking to match their season long four game win streak and continue the home ice dominance they have shown.
The injury situation for tonight’s game is improving for Nashville, after the return of Patric Hornqvist on Monday night, Paul Gaustad is upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game. Gaustad has been skating with the team and is close. Colin Wilson is out. Phoenix lists goaltender Mike Smith as out, blueliner Zbynek Michalek is listed as questionable along with Lauri Korpikowski who was scratched last night in Minny.
The Preds top line of Mike Fisher, Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn has exploded offensively over the past few games. Fisher has led the group with 8 points in the last seven games, Erat and SK74 have followed suit, stepping their game up. It has been the key to the Pred win streak. These players have regained their confidence and the team is starting to feed off of it. Witness the play of some of the youngsters like Chris Mueller.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena, limited tickets are still available. TV Coverage on FS-Tennessee with Pete Weber and Terry Crisp, radio with Tom Callahan and Stu Grimson on the Predators Radio Network led by flagship station 102.5 the Game.
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SportsClubStats Update
The Predators are 4th in the Central and 9th in the conference. Obviously, tonight’s game against Phoenix is a biggie, not only for the points, but to help keep Phoenix on their slide.
5th – DET – 39 pts – 0 games in hand
6th – LAK – 38 pts – 1 game in hand
7th – STL – 36 pts – 1 game in hand
8th – SJS – 36 pts – 1 game in hand
9th – NSH – 34 pts
10th – DAL – 33 pts – 1 game in hand
11th – CBJ – 33 pts – 0 games in hand
12th – EDM – 31 pts – 1 game in hand
Predators Playoff Chances – 30.5%
Most likely number of points needed to make the playoffs – 55
Points needed – 21
Impact Games Tonight (and who Pred Nation should be rooting for)
Los Angeles at St. Louis - St. Louis is coming off a bad loss to Edmonton at home, the Blues have lost 3 of their last four, an LA helps the Preds… root for the Kings in regulation.
Detroit at San Jose - Hold your nose and root for the Red Wings in regulation, that’s the result that improves playoff chances for Nashville.
Predators Remaining Schedule
Twelve out of the last eighteen games are at home and we are tracking the teams progress, so far, the Predators are 3-0-0 for 6 points.
3/21 – Calgary – W – 5-3 – 2 pts.
3/23 – Columbus – W – 5-2 – 2 pts.
3/25 – Edmonton – W – 3-2 – 2 pts.
Tonight – Phoenix
3/30 - @ Colorado
4/1 - @ Chicago
4/2 – Colorado
4/4 – Columbus
4/6 – Chicago
4/7 – @ Chicago
4/9 – St. Louis
4/12 – Dallas
4/14 – Detroit
4/15 – Vancouver
4/19 - @ Chicago
4/23 – Calgary
4/25 - @ Detroit
4/27 - @ Columbus
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Random Notes
- Should Paul Gaustad be reactivated tonight, another player will have to be sent down to Milwaukee. That will be a difficult decision.
- Former Predator Steve Sullivan will play in his 1000th NHL game tonight becoming the 285th player to do so. I am sure that Smashville will be out in force to congratulate the Music City fan favorite. Sully played 317 of his career games in Nashville over his eight years with the team.
- Believe it or not, the Predator's power play has moved up to 11th in the rankings. The unit has been clicking at a 34.5% rate over the last 10 games, elevating their season coversion percentage to 19.6%.
- The saga of the Phoenix Coyotes may be finally coming to conclusion. The NHL is saying a decision will be made before the beginning of the playoffs. Relocate or stay, we may finally get a resolution.
- Tonight is the third and final game of the season between these two teams, the home teams have held serve thus far.
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