(Gets out his thesaurus...) Huge… colossal... monster... gigantic... momentous... gargantuan… humongous beeeg… I understand that you may think that this is hyperbole… but tonight’s Winnipeg/Nashville showdown is a crucial one for both teams.
Nashville wins in regulation and the Jets leave Nashville down by eight points in the division with 12 games to play... oh, and Nashville also has a game in hand. I said a couple of weeks back that the division would be decided by this series of three games between the Preds and Jets… Nashville won game one is a very unlikely fashion… game two is tonight… game three is Sunday 3/25.
Winnipeg got into town early this morning after dropping a 3-2 OT decision to the Washington Capitals last night in a game that saw Alex Ovechkin score his 600th NHL goal. In a curious decision, Paul Maurice decided to start Connor Hellebuyck against an inter-conference foe, which indicates that Michael Hutchinson could get the nod between the pipes for Winnipeg tonight. I would think you would save your number one for a divisional foe, but it could be a vote of confidence for the Jets backup. Winnipeg is finishing a six game roadie with this second half of a back-to-back.
You gotta give the Jets credit, they have survived a rather nasty streak of injuries, Jacob Trouba is still on IR, Steve Mason is hurt, Mark Scheifele is battling an upper body injury, Toby Enstrom is in and out of the lineup… it’s been a tough stretch and Winnipeg has kept pace in the Central. One big reason?
Patrik Laine. The 19 year old Finn is flirting with a point per game season. As he stands right now, he has 41 goals and 23 assists and is currently on a six game goal streak, potting ten goals, including a hattie during the streak. The last game that Laine didn’t score in… ummm… that would’ve been the last time these two teams got together.
Nashville comes into tonight’s game with an 11 game point streak, having their 10 game win streak broken on Saturday night. The Preds play was solid on Saturday, they just couldn’t seem to hit the net as many times as they hit the post. Expect Pekka Rinne back in net tonight after getting Saturday night off.
Nashville continues it's "you never know where it's coming from" offense as there are now 12 Preds in double digit goal scoring, three of them over 20 so far... and the one you would expect to be there, Filip Forsberg... is standing at 18 and appears to be dialing it in for another patented Forsberg scoring binge.
The entire Predators team has been ramping their game up since the calendar turned to February and they have continued that upward trajectory in March. Tonight is a “killer instinct” game. A game where you want to see the Predators come out strong and put this team down quickly. As a potential second round playoff opponent it would certainly send a strong message and let’s face it… a regulation win give the Predators an eight point lead with a game in hand with 13 to play. That is the definition of sitting in the cat bird seat.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena. Coverage begins with pregame at 6pm from the Jack Daniels Barrel House on 102.5 the Game, TV pregame on Fox Sports Tennessee, live from the Fox Sports Zone, starts at 6:30pm. Puck drop at 7:07pm. Very limited tickets remain for this critical Central Division showdown.
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 98 points, leading Winnipeg (1 GIH) by 6 points … The Predators lead the Western Conference, holding a 5 point lead over Vegas (0 GIH.) The Predators trail Tampa Bay (1 GIH) by two points in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 6:30pm – OTT @ TBL.
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 99.9999%, even though it is not official, for all intents and purposes, the Predators are in the playoffs. Their official "magic number" to clinch a playoff spot is 10.
The Current Opponent - If the playoffs began today, the Predators would draw the number 8 seed in the second wild card position… currently the Colorado Avalanche.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- Ryan Johansen has really elevated his game over the past month. He now appears to have put the leg injury fully behind him and is simply playing in beast mode. Using his size and a little snarl to go with his sweet setups, he has added the element most folks have been wanting, he is now shooting more, which... ironically, is opening up the passing lanes.
- Pekka Rinne’s Vezina bona fides are getting stronger and stronger. In his last 20 games he is 18-1-1 with a 2.03 GAA and a .934 Save Percentage. Those stats are the best among NHL goaltenders over that timeframe.
- More for Rinne - Out of goaltenders who have played at least 40 games, Rinne is first in win percentage (.780), goals-against average (2.28), save percentage (.928) and even-strength save percentage (.939). He is second in wins (37).
- Best wishes to Arizona head coach Rick Tocchet who is on leave dealing with a family illness.
- I guess Connor Hellebuyck is the goalie you want when trying for a milestone… he not only gave up Ovie’s 600th last night, but also was the goaltender of record for Sidney Crosby’s 1000th NHL point.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team has won their series and will play CSKA in the next round of the KHL playoffs. That best-of-seven begins on Friday.
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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 Wednesday at 7pm as we get you ready for the Predators road trip.
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
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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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If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at
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