The season was slowly spinning down the drain and Pred Nation felt it… injury after injury, a depleted corps up the middle, on the outside looking in, even after getting points in five straight games.

That feeling intensified as the game progressed, the Preds playing the kind of tight checking defensive game they needed to in the first 16 minutes… and got a two goal deficit for their trouble. They couldn’t buy a break from the officials, from the hockey gods… from anyone. That feeling culminated in a waved off goal that referee Rob Martell would not allow to be reviewed as he blew the play dead halfway through the second period.

It was an appropriate call… but it also was a turning point of a situation that began a few minutes earlier… and as usual, Jordin Tootoo was the spark.

Tootoo was whistled for a boarding penalty… a boarderline boarding penalty. The Sharks retaliated, but no call was made and Tootoo headed off to the box. The ensuing power play goal seemed to pump up the Preds rather than deflate them. The hitting picked up, San Jose was rocked back on the heels. The result was a three goal in 2:38 explosion that completely turned the game… and potentially the season, around.

It’s just one win… it’s just two points… that needs to be the mantra, however… that one win, those two points were huge.

Nashville is back in action tomorrow night against the LA Kings for a special 5pm start time game.

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According to SportsClubStats.com, the Predators chances of making the playoffs went up by 12 points with the results of last night’s play, to 37.8%... current chances of the teams fighting for those last two spots…

Anaheim – 64.6%
Nashville – 37.8%
Edmonton – 33.8%
St. Louis – 32.9%
Minnesota – 30.1%
Dallas - 3.6%

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The Predators moved the start time on tomorrow night’s game to accommodate the WWF’s Earth Hour. The worldwide event will begin directly after the game on the Sommet Center plaza. I have been asked to be the Master of Ceremonies of the plaza events that include a free concert from Jo Dee Messina.

Come on out as it should be a great event, including all of the lower Broadway honky-tonks featuring acoustic music with lots of guest stars. Nashville goes dark at 8:30pm, beginning with the switching off of the Sommet Center tower.

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The “Where We Stand” Update

The Predators stand tied for 7th in the Western Conference at 80 points tied with Anaheim (who has the tie-breaker with Nashville). They are one point ahead of Edmonton and St. Louis, two points ahead of Minnesota and five points ahead of Dallas.

The Predators are…

- Five points behind 6th place Columbus, the Preds have two remaining games against the Jackets (3/31 @ CBJ, 4/4).


Tonight’s Impact Games

- Edmonton @ Anaheim - The Oilers seem to be struggling against Pacfici division teams, after last night’s loss to Phoenix, the Oil run into a team fighting for the same playoff spot they are. An Edmonton win pushes the Preds back to 9th, an Anaheim win keeps the Preds in 8th and pushes the Oiler losing streak to four.

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Join Brandon Felder and me for the fastest hour in radio… HockeyBuzz Radio, tonight at 6:00 on SportsRadio 560 WNSR, you can listen online at www.wnsr.com or you can download the podcast of the show at www.hockeybuzzradio.com

On Monday's HBR, we’ll talk to Columbus blogger Eric Smith to preview the home and home with the Jackets. We’ll talk to Julie Robenhymer on the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament. We’ll do our review/preview of the week in Predator hockey and we’ll take your calls at 844-5600. That’s all on Monday's HockeyBuzz Radio…

Also... don't forget to check out www.hockeybuzzradio.com for updates, links to more hockey and Predators information.

We also have a section called "Our House" chock full of pictures from recent games... some on the ice, but mostly of the fans... Be on the lookout for the HBR photographer and webmaster Denise McCann at Predator home games… Smile pretty or do something crazy! And you too could be on hockeybuzzradio.com.

The “Our House” section will be updated today with pictures from last night’s Shark game.

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