It’s a search for consistency in Smashville tonight as the Boston Bruins are in Music City for the second in a two game home stand for the Nashville Predators. In their last ten, the Predators have won, lost, lost in OT, lost, won, lost in OT, won, lost, lost, won. Ten points in ten games? That is simply not good enough for this team to be in the playoffs come April. The wiggle room is becoming smaller and smaller.
The Boston Bruins come into tonight’s game comfortably second in the Atlantic Division and is a rarity in the NHL… a team that seems to be much better on the road than at home. They have a sub-.500 record in Boston at 9-10-0… on the road they are 13-7-5, points in 18 of their 25 road games so far this season. This is game four of a four game road trip where the B’s have gone 2-0-1 and they are coming off of a big win in St. Louis.
The Bruins are led in scoring by Brad Marchand with 15 goals and 38 points, their leading goal scorer is David Pastrnak with 19 goals… and of course, Tuukka Rask mans the nets and is posting a really good season with a sub 2 GAA.
Pred Nation is trying to read the tea leaves of a couple of moves, the claiming of Derek Grant from Buffalo, the call up of 2017 AHL All-Star Alexandre Carrier from Milwaukee. Claiming a 26 year old forward with limited NHL experience and calling up a blueliner has folks wondering about injury statuses and trade possibilities should some players not be returning soon. The fact that, as I noted above, the wiggle room is running out, it heightens the tension. Adding to the intrigue, reports from this morning’s skate had both James Neal and PK Subban, both on IR, participating in the optional skate. After a maintenance day yesterday, Viktor Arvidsson was also on the ice.
The season is now officially half over, and the big question in Pred Nation is… was Tuesday night a turning point in the season. Well… there are multiple places to point at that could’ve been the turning point, the comeback in St. Louis, the month of November… finally winning one in overtime, especially the way it was won, is certainly a springboard moment, but are the Predators going to execute the 3 and a half with a twist, or belly flop?
Tonight is a Subway Student Rush Night, it is also a Hockey Happy Hour with the doors opening at 5pm for half-off drink specials until 6:30pm. There is also a charity drive tonight as we are collecting winter clothes for The Journey Home. Game time is 7pm, coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee.
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Random Notes
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Where We Stand – After last night’s play, the Nashville Predators have played 41 games and stand 4th in the Central Division, trailing, 3rd place St. Louis by four points. Nashville is one point out of a Wild Card spot. The Predators are five points behind, with three games in hand over the first wild card team Calgary and one point behind the 2nd Wild Card team, Los Angeles.
- Waiver claim Derek Grant appeared in 35 games for Buffalo before being waived, posting three assists. He has yet to score his first NHL goal. The 26 year old has good size (6’3”, 212 lb.) and is a natural center… a definite “we’ll see” move.
- Nine games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – VAN @ PHI. 6:30pm – PIT @ OTT, BUF @ TBL. 7pm – BOS @ NSH, MTL @ MIN. 7:30pm – DET @ DAL. 8pm – NJD @ EDM, ANA @ COL. 9:30pm – STL @ LAK.
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