Crank up the hyperbole for the last Central Division game of the regular season for the Nashville Predators. The Minnesota Wild are in town for the final game of the season series between these two teams. The Wild are looking to keep a solid grasp on the 3 spot in the division and Nashville is looking to get back on a winning track after dropping the last three games, but they are building off a solid performance in their shootout loss to Winnipeg.
The depth of the Predators is being tested a bit as they are now missing Calle Jarnkrok, Yannick Weber and Austin Watson. An update on Watson is due today.
Nashville wants to end a couple of streaks tonight… their losing streak and Minnesota’s five game point streak. Yesterday’s off day was much needed for Nashville after a three game in three different cities in four night stretch and given the injuries, the “maintenance” scratches of the past few weeks should begin to payoff.
Minnesota is getting some reinforcements tonight as Boston University standout Jordan Greenway is expected to make his NHL debut. Greenway was signed to an entry level contract yesterday after the Terriers season ended.
Expect a Pekka Rinne vs. Devan Dubnyk rematch tonight… also expect a much more energhized Predators team to hit the ice as well.
Complete sellout tonight… nothing available except secondary markets… game time is 7pm, pregame at 6pm on 102.5 the Game, 6:30pm on Fox Sports Tennessee. Puck drop at 7:07pm.
A little more fun for racing fans tonight as NASCAR Cup Champion Brad Keselowski and drivers Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Daniel Hemric and NHRA driver Alex Laughlin will be in attendance at tonight's game. During the second intermission, drivers will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans at the NASCAR vehicles located near Section 119/120.
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“Where We Stand” update… a daily tracking of where the Preds are in the standings and the games that impact them most, brought to you by Mark Lonsway - THE real estate professional for hockey fans!
After last night’s play the Predators remain first in the Central Division and the Western Conference with 107 points, leading Winnipeg (0 GIH) by five points in both races … The Predators also lead Tampa Bay (1 GIH) in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy by a single point.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 7pm – BOS @ WPG.
Playoff seed chances - The Predators chances of top seed in the West stands at 85% after last night’s loss, their chances at the President’s Trophy are at 52%
The Current Opponent - If the playoffs began today, the Predators would draw the number 8 seed in the second wild card position… currently Colorado Avalanche.
Most likely first round opponent - The highest percentage goes to St. Louis at 26.2%... Colorado is at 25.5%, Los Angeles is at 17.8%.
Teams that have punched their playoff ticket - Nashville, Tampa Bay, Boston, Winnipeg and Vegas.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- Congratulations to Austin Watson who was named the Preds Masterton Trophy nominee by the Nashville chapter of the PHWA.
- The Preds got a little help last night as the Arizona Coyotes took down the Lightning in Tampa… the Predators game in Tampa on Sunday may decide the President’s Trophy race.
- Reports breaking today that Eeli Tolvanen has signed his three year entry deal with Nashville… Finnish hockey writer Pekka Jalonen is reporting that on his Twitter feed. Nothing from the Preds yet…
- Next one to be eliminated… the New York Rangers… their tragic number is down to 1.
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SlapShot Radio’s tenth anniversary season is on. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day… the only local hockey show that does that.
We are on every Wednesday night at 7pm on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game. Our co-hosts, Dan Keczmer and JP Dumont bring a true insiders perspective to the show. Our next show is Saturday at 8am. We will be talking to hockey writer Adam Gretz and much, much more!
We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor
Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762, Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799, and TurfMasters… check out their great service at
TurfMasters.com.
We are also happy to welcome our latest sponsor… Patrick Brown’s Farmer Insurance Agency in Mt. Juliet… I switched to them a few years back and their service has been incredible! Give Pat and his team a call at 615-288-2086.
Advertisers… reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great preseason advertising deals available for our tenth season when you email me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
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.
If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at
The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at
on SoundCloud.
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