Make sure you check out the SlapShot Radio Facebook page for the latest Sunday Shots as SSR’s intrepid photographer was capturing the color and the fun of a Smashville Saturday Night.

All photos courtesy Denise McCann Photography

Now, to the game…

“We could’ve executed better.” That was head coach Peter Laviolette’s quote of the night from the postgame presser after a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, a very pithy assessment of the last 67 seconds of the game. He is spot on it. Whether you refer to positioning errors, passing mistakes, bad penalties or simple blown opportunities, the Nashville Predators got an object lesson on what a championship caliber team does to win.

Look, skill teams make plays… we watched two of the more skilled lines in hockey make plays last night… the JOFA line for Nashville had five points, Kane and Toews teamed up for four points, including Toews setting up the game winner to Brian Campbell. But when the plays get made… that is the rub. The Predators owned the play in the 14 of the last 15 minutes of the third period, but couldn’t finish on several opportunities to get the lead. It was the difference in the game…

I will say it, a potential playoff series between these two teams would be a sight to see. More evenly matched that the records reflect, the talent levels are there, but it’s those little things that getcha… and those little things need to be addressed before these two teams (or whoever the Preds end up with in round one) get together again.

Let’s get to the good, the bad and the ugly from last night…

The Good - Viktor Arvidsson posting two goals and the JOFA line was dangerous all night. The atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena was awesome.

The Bad - Untimely penalties, combined with a less than optimal penalty kill was deadly. The PK was where Ryan Ellis seemed to be most missed.

The Ugly - Finish. Finish your opportunities, finish the game… two straight losses in the last 65 seconds of play… ugly indeed.

The Predators take off for the West Coast for games against Anaheim, LA and San Jose… once again choosing a difficult stretch to try and get well.

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Random Notes

- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 73 points in 65 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading idle St. Louis by six points. The Blues have a two game in hand on Nashville. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 85.9%

- Impact Game Warning - The St. Louis Blues are in Colorado for a Sunday night match with the Av’s… expect the Preds lead over the Blues to be down to 4 after this one.

- Miikka Salomaki was assigned to Milwaukee for a long term injury loan. What does that mean? From the CBA… relevant part is bolded.

13.9 Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan. A Player who is on the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception as set forth in Article 50 may, with his consent, during the term of such Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception (but in no event during the first fourteen (14) calendar days and six (6) NHL Games), be Loaned on a Conditioning Loan (the "Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan") for a period not to exceed up to the longer of six (6) days and three (3) games, solely for the purpose of determining whether the Player is fit to play. If the Club determines that it needs more time to 75 ARTICLE 13 13.10-13.12 assess the Player's fitness to play, the Club may file a written request with the Commissioner's Office, with a copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for an additional two (2) games. The Commissioner, upon good cause, may approve the one-time extension. The Commissioner's approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. A Player on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan will continue to be listed on Injured Reserve and will not count against the Club's 23-man roster limit. The Club's Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception will continue until the Conditioning Loan ends, and his Paragraph 1 NHL Salary and Bonuses will continue to count against the Club's Upper Limit and the Players' Share during such time. The Commissioner may take whatever steps he deems necessary to investigate the circumstances under which a Player is placed on a Bona Fide LongTerm Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan. If he has reason to believe or determines that the Club has used the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan to evade Waivers or otherwise to Circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take other disciplinary action against the Club as he deems appropriate. A Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan may be extended on one occasion. This procedure can only be used once during each period of time that the Player is on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury Exception.

- The Frosty streak is dead… Long live the Frosty streak – The Preds came close to extending the streak to eight games… but they did get a Big Mac goal… 

- The annual Nashville Predators Foundation Gala is tonight… the team takes off for the West Coast after practicing at Centennial tomorrow.

- Ryan Johansen is now tied for sixth in the NHL in assists with 41, just four back of second in the league.

- Seven games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 3pm – NYI @ CGY. 4pm – BUF @ PIT, CBJ @ NJD. 5pm – SJS @ MIN. 7pm – VAN @ ANA, STL @ COL. 7:30pm – CAR @ ARI.

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Tweets by @PredPAPaul


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