Time for our regular weekly feature, Sunday Shots (on Saturday)… see the entire album at
SlapShot Radio.com
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio
After last night’s loss to the Dallas Stars, the Nashville Predators have still not been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Now that is just cruel. Extending the fruitless hope that with the right combination of events, this frustrating season could be just slightly extended…
Oh what the heck an I talking about?
At least last night had a little progress, two goals in a home game… heck at least we know the goal horn works, given those were the first goals scored at home in almost three complete games. The captain said it best in his post-game comments, “you have to look yourself in the mirror and say you’re playing your hardest and you’re giving everything you can to help the team win.” It’s a pretty clear message to the room that checking out is not an option. This will mark only the second time in his NHL career that Shea Weber has missed the playoffs, and especially given the turmoil of the past year, he is obviously not happy about it. An angry Shea Weber is good news for Pred fans next season, and very bad news for anyone not on board.
So, attention turns to tomorrow and the last visit of the Detroit Red Wings before they move to the Eastern Conference. There is a special game time tomorrow of 6:30pm to accommodate NBC Sports Network who will be carrying the game. It’s another game against a team looked in a steel cage death match for the last playoff spot and nothing would make Pred Nation happier than putting a dent in Detroit’s playoff hopes as a going away present.
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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 in the last matchup of the Central Division rivalry. With Detroit moving to the East next season, it’s out last chance for a slap at big brother.
- Taylor Beck looked good last night, scoring the first goal and continuing to show progress toward a potential NHL career. The coaching staffs trust level is growing as he posted 16:37 in ice time including 3:11 on the power play.
- Filip Forsberg joins the team today and will participate in the morning skate tomorrow. If all goes according to plan, Pred Nation will get their first look at him in the lineup on Monday night against Vancouver.
- Full props to Rich Clune for knowing the right time to pick up the boys. He choose the exact right time to fight Antoine Roussel and two minutes later, the Predators cut the Stars lead in half.
- The NCAA National Championship game is tonight in Pittsburgh as Quinnipiac takes on Yale. No matter who wins it will be the first time raising the trophy for either team.
- After putting four teams in the playoff last season, it is a distinct possibility that only two teams from the Central Division get in this year, Chicago has clinched the division title and St. Louis is very well positioned, but Detroit has chosen a bad time to go cold and Columbus has to leap frog three teams.
- Speaking of bad times to swoon, Minnesota has dropped their last two and six of their last ten, falling out of contention for their division and holding on for their playoff lives.
- The best positioned team from outside the top eight to perhaps grab one of those playoff spots may be the Dallas Stars, they have won four in a row and appear to be peaking… the problem for them may be their schedule… their next five are against San Jose, @ Chicago, Vancouver, @ St. Louis and @ Los Angeles.
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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
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SlapShot Radio, 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. We are live at Dave and Busters with the latest on the playoff race, come join us right after the Kevin Klein show.
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