It’s a single Game Night in Smashville this week as the Nashville Predators welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to town. The Predators 15 game point streak is on the line tonight and they may be looking for a bit of retribution after falling in a shootout at the ACC back in February. The Leafs hit town after a disappointing loss in Tampa Bay Tuesday night blowing a three goal lead in the third period.
This Maple Leaf team is young, fast and prepping for the playoffs. They really haven’t had a doubt about the playoffs for at least six weeks as their position in the Atlantic has been fairly static since the calendar turned to 2018. They have been in a win a few, lose a few mode for the last month or so and head coach Mike Babcock is pushing whatever buttons he can to get his team ramped up for theplayoffs.
You can describe Nashville in the same manner… at times they seem almost bored. I’ve compared them to a cat kinda batting a mouse around for a few periods before finally going in for the kill. They are ready for the playoffs to begin right now… and their focus is to keep that readiness going.
The goalie match-up should be Fredrik Andersen vs. Pekka Rinne. Andersen going for his 34th win of the season. Pekka Rinne will be looking to get his 41st win and build on his Vezina-worthy stats. I have to admit… it’s a lot of fun to see the pundits eat their words on Rinne.
The Maple Leafs will be focusing their attention on the JoFA line, especially Filip Forsberg, who has been dialing it in for a week or so and is now scoring with regularity. All the signs of a patented Filip Forsberg streak. Toronto may have to focus there, but that does leave two other lines to do the damage should the Leafs be able to slow down the JoFA line.
Toronto may be welcoming Auston Matthews back to the lineup tonight, he has spent the last ten games on injured reserve. Calle Jarnkrok remains sidelined with an upper body injury.
Game time is 7pm in Smashville. Game coverage begins at 6pm on 102.5 the Game, 6:30pm on Fox Sports Tennessee. Puck drop is at 7:07pm.
See you at the Bridge!
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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 with 106 points, leading Winnipeg (1 GIH) by eight points … The Predators lead the Western Conference, holding a seven point lead over Vegas (1 GIH.) The Predators also now lead Tampa Bay (1 GIH) in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy by two points.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 6pm – TBL @ NYI. 8pm – LAK @ COL. 9pm – VGK @ SJS.
Playoff seed chances - The Predators chances of top seed in the West stand at 97%, their chances at the President’s Trophy stand at 70.9%
The Current Opponent - If the playoffs began today, the Predators would draw the number 8 seed in the second wild card position… currently the Los Angeles Kings.
Most likely first round opponent - The highest percentage goes to St. Louis at 28.1%... Colorado is at 16.7%, Los Angeles is at 16.1%, Anaheim is at 15%.
Teams that have punched their playoff ticket - Nashville, Tampa Bay and Boston.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- The Predators are within four points of the franchise point record set by the 06-07 team of 110. Unless things go horribly wrong, that record gets smashed.
- The Predators do not have a single player in the Top 50 in NHL scoring. Despite that, they are 8th in the league in goals per game and 9th in total goals.
- PK Subban is tied for second in the league in blueline goal scoring.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team now trails their series with CSKA 3-1, game five of the best-of-seven is today in Moscow.
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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
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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
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