By all accounts, you have to count the Nashville Predators recently completed road trip as a success. 4 out of six points, the power play looking better, Pekka Rinne’s play are all very positive signs of a team that continues to play well and almost keep pace in the Central Division… almost.

The Predators failed to take advantage of an opportunity to reclaim first in the division with their loss to San Jose, and now they find themselves third, one point behind St. Louis and three points behind Chicago in the hyper competitive Central. Now, before the gnashing of teeth begins, the Predators have a game in hand over St. Louis and two games in hand over Chicago. Take those four points and they are back in first… but this is a real microcosm of how thing the line is between success and failure in the 2014 version of the NHL.

I always like to look at the last ten to get a feel for teams and the direction they are going in. Nashville is 7-3-0 in their last ten… nice… but the Blackhawks are 9-1-0, and St. Louis is 7-2-1, just a bit nicer. I do expect the Blackhawks to come back down to earth a bit as they have been on fire since dropping a game to the capitals in early November. Since then they have gone 14-2-1, an amazing run… but I don’t know how sustainable that is.

St. Louis righted the ship quick after a pedestrian 3-3-1 start, going 17-4-1 since then however, two of those losses came to the Predators. Keep in mind that they have been battling injuries, goaltending issues and sickness and have maintained that performance through it all. The Blues are on a four game win streak with Los Angeles visiting the Blues tomorrow night.

So… the Central Division battle is joined. It is a three way steel cage death match for the top spot with Winnipeg lurking four points back of the Predators and Minnesota seven points back. An interesting X-factor in all of this is schedule. The Blackhawks and Blues have feasted on Eastern Conference opponents, each playing 13 against the East so far with Chicago earning 18 points, St. Louis earned 19. Winnipeg has played 14 so far (for 19 points) and Minnesota 13 (for 14 points.) The Predators have only played 7 against the East, going 4-3-0 for 8 points, definite opportunity as the other Central Division teams have plenty left against the tougher West.

The Predators are home tomorrow night against one of those Eastern teams, the Boston Bruins… very limited tickets remain for the last home game before Christmas.

---------------------------------

Random Notes

- SlapShot Radio is back on Sirius/XM’s NHL Network Radio’s holiday programming lineup and will air at least 8 times over the Christmas holiday weekend. I will pass along the schedule as soon as I get it. Thanks to Joe Thistle and Peter Berce and the whole NHL Network Radio team. We will also have a special holiday edition on Christmas Eve at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.

- The mumps has not hit NHL superstar Sidney Crosby. Yikes… the interesting thing he is that Crosby received a booster shot less than a year ago prior to the Winter Olympics. He should be through the infectious part of the condition today.

- The Los Angeles Kings continue to float through December, after winning their first two of the month, they have dropped four of their last five including yesterday’s shootout loss to Toronto.

- and speaking of Toronto… since their horror show against the Predators, the Leafs have gone 8-1-1.

- The Las Vegas Black Knights? I kinda like it… plenty of gratuitous Monty Python references possible there. The NHL has given permission for a potential owner to gage season ticket interest in Sin City and the name Black Knights is being bandied about as a possible name for the potential team.

- The Calgary Flames got off to a great start was was one of the surprise success stories of the first quarter of the season, they have returned to earth after dropping their 5th straight

- Former Predator, Tomas Vokoun has announced his retirement from the NHL. I can never listen to Blur without thinking of the great job Tomas did for the Predators, helping the team transition from expansion doormat to playoff contender.

- Three games tonight – Devils @ Islanders, Lightning @ Penguins and Senators @ Sabres. Early viewing night as all three are in the Eastern timezone starting at 7pm ET.

--------------------------------------

Please follow me on Twitter @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be tweeting out 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.

-------------------------------------

SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday at 7 on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. Our latest podcast is posted and our next show is at a special time… Christmas Eve at 6pm central on 102.5 the Game.

Our premier, day one sponsor is back, that’s Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at 615-872-7762.

Want to be part of the SlapShot Radio family? Let’s chat about it as we have effective and affordable advertising packages for every budget. Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base via email at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com … Our Winter Premier is 1/14/15, be a part of it!

Radio station owners/programmers, join the SlapShot Radio Network… contact me using the email above to carry SlapShot Radio on your station, we are satellite delivered every week via SkyView on the SlapShot Radio Network. Each show contains two full breaks for your usage.

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.

Join the Discussion: » 4 Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville