Another big one tonight as the Nashville Predators close out their home stand with the only visit of the season… and first one since last year’s second round, of the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are on a late season swoon that may have bottomed out last night as they dropped their fifth game in a row, losing to Dallas 6-1. We will see if tonight is a recovery… or a dead cat bounce.

This is a very good Sharks team. One that should already have their division wrapped up. Instead they are now tied with Anaheim in points, their only saving grace may be that they own the tie-breaker with the Ducks. This Sharks team is a wounded animal and you never know how they will respond.

Nashville is looking for a sweep of the homestand, after beating Arizona and Calgary. The team takes off for Brooklyn tomorrow, with a back-to-back against the Islanders and Boston.

We did an in depth preview on today’s SlapShot Radio…



The teams split the two in San Jose, tonight’s rubber match of the season series gets going at 7pm… be in your seats early as we are recognizing Pekka Rinne’s 500th career game with a pregame ceremony. Pregame starts at 6pm on 102.5 the Game and 6:30 on Fox Sports Tennessee… Game coverage starts at 7pm on both media.

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Random Notes

- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 85 points in 73 games played and continue to hold the last Wild Card berth in the West. They are tied in points for 3rd in the Central with St. Louis, but the Blues hold the tie breaker (ROW). Nashville trails the first wild card slot holder Calgary by a single point and hold a game-in-hand over the Flames. They lead Los Angeles by eight points in the wild card race. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 98%.

- Impact Game(s) Tonight - CGY @ STL – A St. Louis loss coupled with a Preds win puts the Preds back in the 3rd spot in the Central.

- If the Playoffs Started Today - As the 8 seed, the Predators would play the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round. Chicago now leads the Western Conference and Central Division by eight points.

- Teams that have clinched playoff spots - No new clinches… Four down, 12 to go… Washington, Chicago, Columbus and Pittsburgh have punched their tickets.

- Playoff “Tragic Numbers” - In the West… Dallas = 3, Winnipeg = 3, Los Angeles = 11. In the East… Carolina = 16, Tampa Bay = 16, New York Islanders = 17. (Stick tap to Damian Echecarrieta for this data)

- A couple of milestones are in sight for Nashville… Ryan Johansen’s next goal will be his 100th career NHL goal, Colin Wilson’s next goal will move him into 8th on the all time Preds goals list.

- Quietly, the Predators are in line to sell out every home game this season. Including last year’s playoffs and end of the regular season, the Preds have sold out 46 consecutive home games.

- I am trying to wrap my head around the choice for the Masterton award from LA… Jarome Iginla??? A deadline day acquisition? Shaking my head on that one.

- Twelve games in the NHL today, all times CST – Noon – VAN @ MIN. 1pm – PHI @ CBJ. 6pm – CGY @ STL, TOR @ BUF, OTT @ MTL, CHI @ FLA, CAR @ NJD, BOS @ NYI, AEI @ WSH. 7pm – SJS @ NSH. 9pm – COL @ EDM. 9:30pm – NYR @ LAK.

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Tweets by @PredPAPaul


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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.

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