Time for our regular feature, Sunday Shots. See the entire album at
SlapShot Radio.com
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio
Coming into Thursday night’s loss to the Blue Jackets, the margin for error was known to be slim. After losses to Columbus and Chicago, the margin for error is now non-existent. The Nashville Predators need to win out in order to have a 98% chance to make the playoffs. The task starts today on the second half of a home and home against the Blackhawks.
There is no faulting the effort last night at Bridgestone Arena, but effort doesn’t get you points. So, with nine games to go, the Predators are on the precipice of missing the playoffs for only the second time in the last nine seasons.
Nothing changes from last night except for the addition of Austin Watson who was called up from Milwaukee for tonight’s tilt. The 2010 first rounder has 20 goals for the Ad’s this season, ranking 5th among AHL rookies. Colin Wilson, Gabriel Bourque and Mike Fisher won’t be in the lineup tonight. Injuries have certainly hurt the Predators this season, to look at it on the positive side, a few younger players have gotten the chance to prove themselves, one way or the other. Tonight is Austin Watson’s turn.
Game time is 6pm CDT. Coverage on FS Tennessee and 102.5 the Game.
----------------------------------
Last night the cheering controversy broke out again. There was a large contingent of Chicago fans in nice clean, new, crisp jerseys at Bridgestone Arena attempting to bring the tradition of cheering during the National Anthem to Nashville. Let me start by saying this. In 1987, I attended a Blackhawk game at the real Madhouse on Madison, Chicago Stadium. The tradition is amazing to experience and I find nothing wrong with it… in Chicago.
Before I go on… Let’s dispel a myth here. The tradition did
not start during the Gulf War as a spontaneous expression of patriotism as many Blackhawk fans will have you believe. It seems to be the shield they use against accusations of disrespect. The tradition started during the ’85 playoffs, the conference finals against the Oilers as a way to keep an energetic crowd going and hopefully inspire their team. It appeared to work as the Blackhawks went on to win their next two homes games before dropping the series to the eventual champion. There are other urban myths out there… some people remember cheering through the anthem much earlier that 1985, but this explanation seems to be the one most widely accepted.
I went through all of that to get here… Chicago fans need to understand that no matter what they think and what they do in their own arena, trying to bring that particular tradition to other barns is looked at as exceedingly disrespectful to the anthem and by extension to our country. The United States Code does actually prescribe the appropriate behavior during the playing of the anthem. It includes standing at attention with your hand over your heart. It includes men not in uniform removing any “headdress.” You may disagree with the US Code… that is fine… as I said before, the experience in Chicago is amazing… it is not amazing outside of Chicago.
Flame away Blackhawk fans, but the fact remains, it is simply inappropriate, disrespectful and wrong to do this anywhere outside of the UC.
----------------------------------
SportsClubStats Update
The Predators are 5th in the Central and 12th in the conference. Four points out of the last playoff spot.
6th – MIN – 44 pts – 2 games in hand
7th –DET – 43 pts – 1 game in hand
8th – STL – 42 pts – 3 games in hand
9th – PHX – 40 pts – 1 game in hand
10th – EDM – 39 pts – 1 game in hand
11th – CBJ – 39 pts – 1 game in hand
12th – NSH – 38 pts
13th – DAL – 37 pts – 2 games in hand
Predators Playoff Chances – 2.6%
Most likely number of points needed to make the playoffs – 56
Points needed – 18
Impact Games Tonight (and who Pred Nation should be rooting for)
For all intents and purposes… there are no other impact games, the Preds simply need to win.
Predators Remaining Schedule
Twelve out of the last eighteen games are at home and we are tracking the team’s progress, so far, the Predators are 4-3-2 for 10 points. The Predators need to win out, starting tonight, in order to get 56 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.
3/28 – Phoenix – L – 4-7 – 0 pts
3/30 - @ Colorado – OTL – 0-1 – 1 pt
4/1 - @ Chicago – OTL – 2-3 – 1pt
4/2 – Colorado – W – 3-1 – 2 pts
4/4 – Columbus – L – 1-3 – 0 pts
4/6 – Chicago – L – 0-1 – 0 pts
Tonight – @ 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
----------------------------------
Random Notes
- Circle the date… Thursday April 25th, the SlapShot Radio watch party at Burger Republic! We’ll be enjoying some great food and cheering on the Preds against Detroit.
- All those who were surprised at yesterday’s Winter Classic announcement raise your hands…
- Former Predator Martin Erat went down in last night’s Capitals / Panthers game on a nasty hit from Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson… calling Mr. Shanahan.
- Recently signed forward Zach Budish has reported to Milwaukee, he has played in two games thus far, being held off the scoresheet in both games.
--------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, every Wednesday night at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. Our trade deadline wrap-up show is posted! There is no show this week, but we will be back on April 17th.
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 (you can email Greg
here) 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 head toward the playoffs 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.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information,
click here.a>.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»