It’s Game Night in the Nation’s Capital as the Nashville Predators take on the Washington Capitals. Both teams are coming off of much needed wins, Washington snapping a four game losing streak by beating the Wild, and Nashville springboards off a come from behind, come from behind, overtime win over Winnipeg. Oh yeah… and Alex Ovechkin broke the longest goal-less streak of his career, tickling the twine for his first goal in ten games. So, who keeps the momentum?

Most signs point to Washington, the Caps have been dominant at home, earning at least a point in 21 of their last 23 home games and they are locked in a battle for the Metro Division crown with Pittsburgh. The case for Nashville? Well, a modest three game point streak and a generally solid road game exhibited on their last road trip. The big question for the Predators, which team shows up?

The defensively sound team that dismantled San Jose in the Shark Tank last Saturday… or… the willy-nilly, let’s try and outscore ‘em team that managed to eke out an overtime win on Monday?

The Jekyll and Hyde nature of this Predators team has been incredibly frustrating for Pred Nation. The nasty habit of hanging their goaltenders out to dry, the bad giveaway at exactly the wrong time, the five man unit forgetting that defense is part of the game as well. It is something that needs to be addressed and locked down before the playoffs start… loose defense sinks playoff runs. Most player quotes I have seen reflect a knowledge that the consistent defense has not been there, indicating that the team needs to do a better job clearing the area in front of the net. Knowing is one thing, executing is another.

Last time these two teams met, it was a battle of the backups, no word on who is between the pipes tonight, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Braden Holtby and Pekka Rinne. Game time is 6pm Central, pregame gets going on the Predators Radio Network flagship 102.5 the Game at 5pm, Fox Sport Tennessee’s pregame starts 30 minutes later. Game coverage on both media at 6pm.

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ICYMI – Last night’s SlapShot Radio…


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Random Notes

- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 79 points in 69 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by two points. The Blues lost their game in hand last night to Anaheim. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 91.8%.

- Impact Game Warning - STL @ SJS – The Blues dropped the fornt end of this back-to-back against Anaheim last night, tonight is no easier. The San Jose Sharks are tough at home and St. Louis’ road record is not stellar. After this back-to-back, five of the Blues next seven games are against Arizona and Colorado.

- Strange schedule quirks abound, the Capitals have six of their last 13 against Western Division foes… including both of their games against the Coyotes.

- Filip Forsberg always seems to elevate his game against Washington, nine points (5g,4a) in five games against the Caps.

- James Neal has back-to-back game winners and has posted a point in his last four games… heating up at the right time. The Preds are 13-3-2 when Neal scores

- The Preds are 11-0-0 with Ryan Johansen scores so far this season.

- Calgary’s ten game win streak came to an end last night as Boston beat them… now to see how they react to the loss… do they get back on the horse… or do they go the path of so many win streak, followed by a losing streak.

- Twelve games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – PHI @ NJD, WPG @ NYI, NSH @ WSH, MIN @ CAR, FLA @ CBJ. 6:30pm – CHI @ OTT, TOR @ TBL. 8pm – BOS @ EDM. 9pm – BAL @ VAN, DET @ ARI. 9:30pm – BUF @ LAK, STL @ SJS.

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Tweets by @PredPAPaul


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