Game five tonight at Bridgestone Arena. If Nashville’s killer instinct is in place, then this series is done by about 11:30pm central. If the Preds get off to a slow start, then who knows what will happen? One thing is for sure… the plucky Avalanche won’t make it easy on them.
Colorado is doing what it needs to do to stay at least in shouting distance in this series, it would be even closer if the team could finish when it counts. They are playing a little Anaheim hockey, desperately trying to get under the Predators skin, the only thing that worked in that department is the two spears that Ryan Hartman took to the lower regions… the two unpunished spears… but, they always catch the retaliation, you can call me undisciplined, but if I take a shot there… I’m retaliating! So Hartman may get replaced by Hartnell… Scott Hartnell, the veteran forward on his second tour with Nashville has been stapled to the scratch list but observers from today’s morning skate have him skating wing with Fisher and Jarnkrok on the fourth line.
And speaking of Calle… he was outstanding on Wednesday night. He had to be, especially when he had to cover for Ryan Johansen after another bit of shenanigans from the Colorado Chiorboys. Funny how everyone was up in arms about Ryan Hartman, but no one has said a word about Landerskog’s dirty play. Never mind… past is past and Nashville won where it counts, and now has a chance to close things out at home… like they did in three consecutive series last season.
An interesting X-Factor tonight is Av’s goaltender Andrew Hammond. You may remember the run the “Hamburglar” went on with Ottawa a few seasons back. He’s got the potential to go on crazy runs, so it may be critical to get to him early. Pekka Rinne was outstanding on Wednesday night and will be between the pipes again.
Smashville will be lit tonight… expect Bridgestone Arena to start loud and get louder with each passing minute. Local coverage will be on Fox Sports Tennessee, pregame gets going at 8pm. 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network will get started with pregame at 7:30pm. National coverage on NBCSN. Puck drop at approx. 8:45pm.
See you at the Bridge!
------------------------------------
The Playoff Tracker … a daily update of the Stanley Cup Playoffs brought to you by Mark Lonsway - THE real estate professional for hockey fans!
Big win for Washington last night, re-taking home ice advantage in their best of 7 with Columbus.
Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils – TBL leads 3-1 – Game five is tomorrow
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Series tied at 2 – Game five is tomorrow
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers – PIT leads 3-1 – Game five is Sunday
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – BOS leads 3-1 – Game five is tomorrow
Western Conference
Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche – NSH leads 3-1 – Game five is tonight
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings – VGK wins 4-0
Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild – WPG leads 3-1 – Game five is tonight
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks – SJS wins 4-0
------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Now that a road team has won… it’s a series.
- Congratulations to PK Subban on being named a Norris Trophy finalist. The so-called “bad guy in the room” credited his teammates for the noimination.
- The Black Aces have been called up. A total of ten from Milwaukee are now with the team… joining Anders Lindback, who was called up earlier this week are Frederick Gaudreau, Harry Zolnierczyk, Brandon Bollig, Tyler Gaudet, Emil Pettersson, Alexandre Carrier, Petter Granberg, Frederic Allard and goaltender Troy Grosenick.
- Tylaer Gaudet just signed a one year contract with the Predators after spending the past year between Tucson and Milwaukee.
------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
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. We are back to our normal Wednesday night 7pm timeslot. I will be back Wednesday night…
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.
-------------------------------------
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
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»