UPDATE 11am CDT - Looks like the injury situation just got worse. Kevin Klein is now listed as out for tonight's game due to injury... Mattias Ekholm has been called up on an emergency basis. Sheesh...
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A sold-out Bridgestone Arena came out to see the last divisional matchup in Nashville between the Predators and Red Wings. A 3-0 Red Wing victory, as the boys from Detroit are locking in the battle for the 8 spot to keep their 21 year post season streak alive and the Predators are without their top two lines and starting 6 rookies, including Filip Forsberg, who comported himself well in his first NHL experience was not unexpected.
The team that Nashville has patterned themselves on is moving East and away from little brother. It is a tad bittersweet, the era of the Pred Wing fan is drawing to a close. Getting hyped up for Detroit coming to town is always a favorite past time in Pred Nation, circling the dates on the calendar when the schedule is released, fighting over Red Wing games in your season ticket pool. Oh, sure, people will still get up for the Wings when they come to town once a year, but it won’t be the same. Dallas and Chicago will take their place for Pred Nation’s passion. But, to coin a phrase, you never forget your first rival…
Now it is done. But the memories will live on. From the first win in Nashville in an ice storm to “Back Door Bubba,” to the back-to-back wins at the Joe, to last season’s sweetest moment, sending Detroit home in the first round with a victory on home ice. Sweet indeed… but to bastardize Robert Zimmerman... the alignment it is a-changin’.
But before that realignment happens, the Preds need to play out the string, that continues tonight as the Predators complete the back end of their last back-to-back of the season, another home game, this time against the Vancouver Canucks, a team in tune-up mode for the playoffs, with their Northwest Division crown firmly in their control as they hold a five point lead over the Minnesota Wild. The Predators have dropped six straight and have only scored six goals in that streak, being shut out three times.
Nashville’s injury situation is well documented, Vancouver comes in with David Booth and Chris Higgins on the shelf. Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena, coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee and 102.5 the Game.
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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 one last chance for a slap at big brother.
- Pekka Rinne was simply incredible last night. At one point in the second period he made a back save on a blooping puck, then proceeded to make three consecutive toe saves to keep the score at 1-0… anyone who tries to make a case that Pekka Rinne is not an elite goaltender is simply clueless.
- It’s shoulder surgery for both Colin Wilson and Paul Gaustad today. Gabriel Bourque’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.
- Bobby Butler had a golden opportunity to get the Preds back into last night’s game, but his penalty shot attempted rolled off the heel of his stick. It was well noted on Twitter, describing the play as a microcosm of the Predators season. Hard to disagree with that one…
- The battle for the 6, 7 and 8 spots in the West is really heating up with Minnesota sliding, Detroit treading water, St. Louis slipping a bit, Dallas on a serious roll and Columbus beginning to heat up as well. Games in hand will be a factor as both the Wild and Stars have played one less game then Detroit and Columbus.
- I may have to DVR tonight’s Dallas/Chicago game… it should be a real measuring stick for the Stars playoff hopes. It is also the game-in-hand over Detroit for Dallas, a win puts the Stars back in the 8 spot.
- Former Predator Scottie Upshall is at loggerheads with his coach in Florida. Kevin Dineen is quoted in today’s Sun Sentinel "No question, Scottie and I are at odds at different times. I'm stubborn and I have a real belief in the way he has to play to be an effective player.” Pretty blunt talk from the coach.
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