It’s Opening Night in Smashville and the Nashville Predators will raise the first banner in team history. As defending Western Conference champions, the Preds need to learn about life with a target on their back. They also need to adjust to a really short offseason, one made tougher by the fact that the last season ended two wins shy of the goal.
Tonight’s opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers. The first of two against the Broad Street Bullies in the Preds next five games. Sandwiched between those games are the first three matches against divisional rivals. But first, let’s look at Philly.
Tonight is the last of a four game road trip the Flyers have been on to start the season. They went 2-1-0 in California, beating Anaheim and San Jose, dropping one to LA. Philly is led by Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. The latter two each have four points to start the season, including Simmonds hat trick against the Sharks.
The two teams split the season series last year, each winning on the road. The Flyers have added some speed and look to have turned a corner in their quest to return to the playoffs. Goaltending is still a question mark… as it has been since their general manager was between the pipes, but their blueline has improved and they have weapons up front.
Nashville needs to purge a terrible start to the season, dropping two on the road, including Saturday night’s embarrassment in Pittsburgh. Smashville will be ready to bring the noise… and the funk for that matter as tickets are very hard to come by for tonight’s sellout.
Events begin at 3pm on the plaza with the first Plaza Party of the season with food, drink and games for everyone. I will be hosting the annual player Gold Walk… this year with a twist. The Gold Walk will be part of Tootsie’s Annual Birthday Bash on Broadway (if the weather cooperates, if not, there are alternative plans.) Doors to Bridgestone Arena open at 5pm and Opening Night Ceremonies will begin at around 6:45pm. The ceremonies include introducing the 2017-18 Predators and the raising of the Western Conference Championship banner.
Coverage for tonight’s festivities begin at 6pm on both Fox Sports Tennessee and 102.5 the Game with pregame coverage, puck drop will be at approx.. 7:13pm.
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Random Notes
- Yesterday saw quite a few players fan out into the community to get closer to the fans. I joined PK Subban and Viktor Arvidsson at Rita’s Italian Ice in Nolensville. It’s great to have a Rita’s in town as I grew up on Italian Ice in South Jersey... although it isn't too good for my diet! :-)
- Scott Hartnell is excited to get in front of the home fans again tonight… the team is looking to get on track with harder work and higher energy.
- The new home TV lineup will debut tonight with Lyndsey Rowley and Terry Crisp hosting the Predators Live on Fox Sports Tennessee. Kara Hammer makes her debut as rinkside reporter for home games, Chris Mason makes his home debut as TV Color Analyst. Hal Gill also makes his regular season home debut as Radio Color Analyst alongside the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber.
- Alex Ovechkin has seven goals in 2 games. That’s not a typo… it’s the first time the prolific Russian scorer has done that.
- Vegas opens their home season tonight after winning their first two games on the road. Puck drop is at 9pm central.
- St. Louis is 3-0? Detroit, New Jersey and Vegas is 2-0? Crazy start… are they in it for the long haul? Or are they morning glories
- KHL Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit club has now won 11 consecutive games with Tolvanen posting his 11th goal of the season. Tolvanen now has 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in 15 games so far. The Preds prospect now stands 4th in the KHL in goals scored. Jokerit goes for a dozen straight tonight against Traktor.
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SlapShot Radio has an exciting season in store for our tenth anniversary season. 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 new co-hosts are ex-Preds Dan Keczmer and JP Dumont bringing a true insiders perspective to the show. Well… almost every Wednesday… our next show is Saturday, October 14 at 8am… we are stepping aside for the players show…
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
Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762, Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799, and TurfMasters… check out their great service at
TurfMasters.com.
We are also welcoming a new sponsor to the SlapShot Radio family… The Crag… Nashville’s premiere location for indoor rock climbing. Newton Dominey and his awesome crew have a great location in Cool Springs and they are opening a new location in South Nashville at the corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Nolensville Rd. Check out their website at
ILoveRockCLimbing.com If you’ve never done it before… you need to try, they specialize on helping first timers.
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
You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1 … Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
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If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at
The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at
on SoundCloud.
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