Before I get started, I’d like you to know about the Peterson for Parkinson’s fundraiser happening on February 16th at the Franklin Theatre. It’s called “Songwriters and Storytellers” and will feature performances from some of Nashville’s premier songwriters. Writers of hits for artists like Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean… just to name a few. For more information, including how to purchase tickets
Click here. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm… it should be an awesome show for a great cause.
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The “Waiting for Rinne to Return” phase of the season begins tonight as the Nashville Predators take on the Washington Capitals at Bridgestone Arena. Up until yesterday, the big story about tonight’s game was the return of Barry Trotz. Now… it’s the new man in net for the next 3-5 week for the Predators, Carter Hutton.
Y’know… that got me to thinking… It’s a shame Nashville doesn’t have a goaltender on the roster that went 13-4-2 in his last nineteen starts of last season.
And you know what else… It really sucks that the Predators don’t have a goaltender under contract that posted a .940 save percentage and a 1.77 GAA in his last five starts last season.
Wait… what? They do? He's who??? Nah... you're kidding me...
Those stats I just quoted belong to Carter Hutton. The same Carter Hutton that is starting tonight. So what I’m saying, to paraphrase Mark Twain… is that rumors of the Nashville Predators demise may be greatly overstated.
Is Carter Hutton the second coming of Pekka Rinne? Of course he isn’t… but he’s not a bad as you might think given the torrent of hate he has gotten from social media since Tuesday night. The “OMG the sky is falling” crowd has really been pretty rough on Hutton. But if you break down his games this season, you can clearly see that he has not gotten any kind of goal support… until Tuesday night’s three goal explosion to seal the win.
In his five starts this season, all on the road, Hutton has gone 0-3-2 and gotten goal support averaging just 2 goals a game… and he still managed to do well enough to get points in Chicago and Anaheim. Rinne has been getting just north of 3 goals a game. This is an area that the other five players on the ice own and must deliver on in order to keep the team at the top of the standings. Lack of goal support puts incredible pressure on a goaltender, it might be a good idea to avoid this situation if they can.
That being said… Hutton needs to channel the goaltender that took control of the Nashville net last January, when his starting job was threatened by the acquisition of Devan Dubnyk. That’s what I will be looking for tonight.
The rest is … well… two of the hottest teams in the NHL get together, former coaches come home, sold out barn where you can’t get a ticket for the game… you know… that old chestnut. This is a game I circled on the calendar when the schedule came out. I’m looking forward to seeing Barry Trotz return and I am really looking forward to the welcome he gets from the Smashville faithful. The video salute is amazing… bring an extra Kleenex or two…
Both teams have identical records over their last 10, the Caps are coming off a masterful shutout of the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday and have won three straight. The Predators are the owners of a four game win streak after their 5-1 dismantling of the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. The injury situation, beyond what has already been discussed, Washington lists John Erskine, Dmitry Orlov and Aaron Volpatti in IR, Nashville has Eric Nystrom and Ryan Ellis.
For the Capitals… beyond watching out for number 8… keep an eye out for Nicklas Backstrom, he tends to light it up against the Preds. In net for Washington, Braden Holtby who is benefiting greatly from Miutch Korn’s tutelage. Holtby hasn’t allowed a goal in his last almost 90 minutes of playing time and has only allowed two goals in his last three games. He’s seeing beach balls right now and coach Barry Trotz is riding him for all he is worth having started 289 consecutive games.
Game time is 7pm… get there early as parking will be at a premium tonight as this game is the hottest ticket in town. Don’t have a ticket? Coverage is on FS-Tennessee and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame coverage starts at 6:30pm on both media.
And here is your preview, courtesy nhl.com;
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Random Notes
- Kevin Fiala has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. Hmmmm… keep a close eye on this one.
- At start of play today, the Predators are tied with Anaheim at the top of the league with 62 points, Nashville does have two games in hand over the Ducks.
- Nice, emotional interview with Barry Trotz
here. Class… pure class.
- Well… Minnesota snapped their losing streak in high style putting a 7-0 whipping on the Buffalo Sabres in a game that had the Wild lost, could’ve cost their coach his job. Devan Dubnyk was solid in his first start for Minnesota.
- St. Louis blew a chance to make up ground on the Preds by dropping a 3-2 OT decision to the Red Wings. The Blues were lucky to get a point pout of this one, scoring two in the third, the tying goal came with 48 seconds left to send it to the extra frame.
- Colorado is slowly but surely working their way up the Central Division standings, after last night’s win in Florida, they now stand alone in 4th, seven points behind Winnipeg.
- Speaking of the Jets, Ondrej Paveled is on a tear… he made 46 saves and frustrated the bejesus out of Dallas last night in the Jets 2-1 win.
-Six games on the NHL schedule tonight – Penguins @ Islanders, Canucks @ Hurricanes, Rangers @ Blue Jackets, Capitals @ Predators, Jets @ Blackhawks, Devils @ Ducks.
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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
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
link.
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SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network…. Our Winter Premier is Wednesday night, 1/21… Our premier, day one sponsor is
Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at 615-872-7762.
We are also welcoming back The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills and Burger Republic to the SSR fold!
Want to be part of the SlapShot Radio family? We have effective and affordable advertising packages for every budget. Be part of the excitement of Nashville hockey… Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base via email at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
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Our podcasts are posted… Click
here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.
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