Snow early in the week, shorts and t-shirts by the weekend, so goes winter in Tennessee, but Smashville is ready for some hockey as the Florida Panthers are in town for a tilt with the Preds. Florida is on the back half of a back-to-back, the Panthers took down Vegas in OT last night.
Florida has been on a nice little run recently going 6-3-1 in their last 10, with quality wins over Vegas, St. Louis, Calgary and a five game win streak to close out 2017. The Cats are led by a few familiar names, Jonathan Huberdeau leads in goals and points, closely followed by Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck.
The Predators look to be without Filip Forsberg again tonight, but may see the return of Viktor Arvidsson, who skated in day of game skate today on line with Ryan Johansen and Scott Hartnell. The Preds have been missing two of their best scorers, but you have to love how players like Kevin Fiala have stepped up their game. Fiala is really generating chances and playing well on both sides of the puck.
Ok… that’s the good news, Arvi’s return… the bad news? No Mattias Ekholm in the Preds skate this morning. Not sure what to make of that.
Expect Pekka Rinne between the pipes tonight, not really sure who will be manning the nets for Florida. James Reimer started last night, we may see the third goaltender Harri Sateri.
Game time is 7pm, pregame on 102.5 the Game starts at 6pm, Fox Sports Tennessee coverage begins at 6:30pm. Very limited tickets remain… See you at the Bridge!
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Today’s SlapShot Radio…
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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 stand first in the Central Division with 60 points, one point ahead of both Winnipeg (2 GIH) and St. Louis (4 GIH) … the Preds lead Dallas (3 GIH) by four points and Colorado by seven.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 11am - DAL @ BUF. 2pm – NYR @ COL, WPG @ CGY. 7pm – ARI @ STL. 8pm – TBL @ MIN.
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are now at 97.4% after yesterday’s play.
The Playoff Point Line - I look at the point level needed for a 75%+ chance to make the playoffs… right now, it stands at 97 points.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- Filip Forsberg also skated this morning, still don’t expect him back until after the All-Star break,
- Tonight, the Nashville Predators Foundation will be collecting new full-sized or travel-sized toiletry and hygiene products for Greenhouse Ministries. All supplies collected will be distributed to the individuals they serve living below the poverty line. Bins will be set up at both main doors and south doors for collection. Monetary donations will be accepted as well. You can learn more about Greenhouse Ministries by visiting them at the Community Corner tonight outside Section 120.
- The Preds welcome Tampa Bay Tuesday night in what some are calling a potential Stanley Cup Final preview…
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit lost to HC Sochi yesterday 2-1, Tolvanen was a -2 with 3 shots on goal.. He has 17 goals and 16 assists in 43 KHL games.
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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.
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