To get this started, I’d like to say thank you to the many folks who donated to the gofundme for Michelle Alvarez. The fund is over $5400 as I write this… over 50% of the goal. You guys are awesome… if you haven’t donated and can see your way clear… please click this link to the
gofundme page. The hockey family is so incredibly kind and your donations will help lift a small burden off a family that has way too many to deal with… again… from the bottom of my heart… thank you!
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After an off day or two, the Predators get back on the ice today for practice with the knowledge that the St. Louis Blues will be their next opponent. Interesting that after 18 years in the league, all of that time spent in the same division, these two teams are meeting for the first time ever in the post season.
Two teams that a similar in many respects… Nashville has never won a cup since coming into the league in 1998, St. Louis is cup-less since they were joined the NHL as part of the big expansion 50 years ago. Teams that have fought for and gained grudging respect from fans, other teams and the league in general. And frankly… these are two teams, and fan bases that don’t like each other much.
This one may get ugly.
The Predators won the season series 3-2… but throw that stat right out the window. This is a different St. Louis team as Mike Yeo, who took over for Ken Hitchcock after 51 games this season, has the Blues with speed and with physicality… sound familiar? This could be one of those “spider doing pushups on the mirror” series.
Both teams will play incredibly solid defensive systems.
Both teams will bring the body and try to get under their opponent’s skin.
Both teams are under rated for their offense.
Both teams goaltenders were on fire in the first round.
A mirror match indeed. The second round schedule won’t be announced until the first round is done… which could come as early as tonight… more previews and analysis to come.
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Playoff Status – Round One
Eastern Conference
Washington vs. Toronto – WSH leads 3-2 – Game 6 - tonight in Toronto
Montreal vs. New York – NYR wins 4-2
Ottawa vs. Boston – OTT leads 3-2 – Game 6 – today in Boston
Pittsburgh vs. Columbus – PIT wins 4-1
Western Conference
Chicago vs. Nashville – NSH wins 4-0
Anaheim vs. Calgary – ANA wins 4-0
Minnesota vs. St. Louis – STL wins 4-1
Edmonton vs. San Jose – EDM wins 4-2
Round Two -
Eastern Conference
New York Rangers vs winner BOS/OTT
Pittsburgh vs. winner WSH/TOR
Round Two –
Western Conference
St. Louis vs. Nashville
Anaheim vs. Edmonton
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Playoff Random Notes
- Reports from today’s practice has Colin Wilson on the ice for the first time since his injury and looking like he will be back in the lineup for Game One.
- Interesting to see all of the media backpedaling going on about first round picks especially regarding Nashville.
- Montreal losing in six to New York was only marginally surprising, great goaltending and defense only gets you so far…
- The coaching/GM merry-go-round in Buffalo has been crazy…
- John Stevens was hired as head coach of the LA Kings today… an excellent choice for a coach that was never really given a chance as bench boss of Philly.
- Two games in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs today, all times CST – 2pm – BOS @ OTT (NBC). 6pm – WSH @ TOR (NBCSN)
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SSR’s season nine is on, our next show is Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game. SlapShot Radio is the longest running hockey show in the mid-south and Pete Weber and I bring you the best in hockey talk all season long. If the Blues/Preds series opens on Wednesday, we will be rescheduled… if not we will have a complete preview.
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