For the first time in quite a few years, the last two weeks of the season have very little meaning for Pred Nation. Beyond knowing that after April 23rd, there will be five months of a long, hot, hockeyless time, Pred Nation will follow the playoffs, after all, judging by the playoff TV ratings in Middle Tennessee, Pred Nation are not just fans of the team… they are hockey fans.
Tonight is a Central Division Rivalry game against the St. Louis Blues, a team that is in thick of the race for the last few playoff spots. The Predators will probably be giving some more younger players a look/see over the next few weeks. The Blues come in on a roll, looking for their fifth consecutive victory, the Predators are looking to avoid a four game losing streak.
Injuries are a big factor for both of these teams. St. Louis lists TJ Oshie and Jaroslav Halak as out, Scott Nichol as doubtful and Andy McDonald as questionable. The Predators are listing Colin Wilson and Paul Gaustad as out, Mike Fisher and Gabriel Bourque are doubtful.
Expect to see Pekka Rinne in net for the Preds, Brian Elliot between the pipes for the Blues. Tonight is the first of four consecutive at home for Nashville. Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena. Coverage on Fox SportsSouth and 102.5 the Game.
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SportsClubStats Update
The Predators are 5th in the Central and 12th in the conference. Five points out of the last playoff spot.
6th – MIN – 46 pts – 2 games in hand
7th – STL – 44 pts – 3 games in hand
8th – DET – 43 pts – 1 game in hand
9th – PHX – 40 pts – 1 game in hand
10th – DAL – 39 pts – 2 games in hand
11th – EDM – 39 pts – 1 game in hand
12th – CBJ – 39 pts – 1 game in hand
13th – NSH – 38 pts
Predators Playoff Chances – 1.8%
Max points achievable – 54 (85.5% chance of making playoffs)
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 4-4-2 for 10 points. The Predators need to win out to have an 85.5% chance of making the playoffs.
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
4/7 – @ Chicago – L – 3-5 – 0 pts
Tonight – 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
- 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.
- Congratulations to Aaron O’Neill, a sophomore at Centennial HS who was drafted by the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers over the weekend. Plymouth is where David Legwand played his junior hockey.
- The New York Islanders could be moving to Brooklyn a year early, many reports coming out about a negotiation to let the team out of its’ lease a year early.
- Distressing news from Houston as the Aeros may be on the move. Lease negotiations are continuing.
- Gotta love Giggy… JS Giguerre called his team out last night for their lack of effort. If only the Av’s had more players that cared like that they might not be in the basement of the conference.
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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. There is no show this week, but we will be back on April 17th.
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