This morning’s SlapShot Radio features guest co-hosts Willy Daunic and Chris Mason with our special guest, former NHL Referee, Kerry Frasier. Frasier had an excellent explanation of why the no goal call in the first OT was absolutely correct...
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ICYMI - SlapShot Radio’s intrepid photographer was back capturing the action at the Bridge for Game Four, see the album at the
the SlapShot Radio Facebook page.
All photos are courtesy of SlapShot Radio/DLM
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Game Five drops the puck in a few hours as the Nashville Predators look to wrest the lead and home ice away from the San Jose Sharks in a series that has had almost everything. You have to wonder which team will be impacted more by the triple overtime game, immediately followed by a cross country flight. Let’s make the case for both teams.
San Jose – Many Sharks were quoted post-game that the first and second overtime periods on Thursday night were the best periods of hockey that they have played in this series. They can build on that, San Jose was generating chances and skating well… but got nothing. Being so close to putting a stranglehold on the series, how that plays for the Sharks? San Jose has some younger players, but you have to wonder how the 3OT plus cross country flight plays for some of the older players on the roster. This is an experienced bunch but, given the history of playoff failures of this franchise… doubts may be creeping into the team’s head.
Nashville – The obvious point here is that Nashville has momentum to build off. That should help energize the team. They know that a win here will give the Predators a chance to clinch this series at home. However, when does the constant cross country travel (over 13000 miles) over the past three and a half weeks start to impact this team? Head Coach Peter Laviolette has been very good at ensuring his team gets rest and recharge time… that has shown in their play.
Tonight’s game may hang on the first ten minutes… Nashville puts in a goal or two and takes the rambunctious San Jose crowd out of the game early and it could be a turning point in the series. But the real key could be a short memory…
Bottom line - this is game 5… the series is tied and it is a best-of-three… history doesn’t matter… the first four games doesn’t matter. What matters is who shows up to play. Both teams have been playing solid hockey, for the first two games, the Sharks converted their chances… in the second two games the Predators converted.
Game time is 9pm, pregame on 102.5 the Game begins at 8am with Darren McFarland, Pete Weber and Brent Peterson on the call… NBCSN has the TV Coverage.
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Cause for Joy – It’s now a three game series, with two of them on the road… where San Jose has the worst home record of the remaining playoff teams.
Cause for Concern – This series is following the Anaheim pattern… in reverse.
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Random Playoff Notes
- I will be curious to see if Peter DeBoer makes any lineup changes tonight.
- The second line of Mike Fisher, Colin Wilson and James Neal combined for four goals, three assists and a cumulative +/- of +9 … I wonder how the Sharks will scheme on that line… they have to address it.
- So much wailing and gnashing of teeth about the first goal Pekka Rinne gave up on Thursday… take another look, that puck changed direction… there was a deflection on that shot.
- Pittsburgh has the chance to clinch their series tonight at 7pm on NBC (Channel 4 in Nashville)
- Big win for the St. Louis Blues earlier today… they take a 3-2 lead in the series over Dallas and can clinch at home on Monday night.
- I will certainly be watching Barry Trotz’s Washington Capitals tonight to see if they can get back into their series with Pittsburgh… their backs are against the wall.
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Second Round Snapshots
Lightning / Islanders – TBL Leads 3-1 – Game 5 Sunday @ TBL – 2pm – NBC
Capitals / Penguins – PIT leads 3-1 – Game 5 Tonight @ WSH – 7:15pm – NBC
Stars / Blues – Series tied 2-2 – Game 6 Monday @ STL – 7pm - NBCSN
Sharks / Predators – Series tied 2-2 – Game 5 Tonight @ SJS – 9pm - NBCSN
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Season eight of SlapShot Radio is on! Join us every Wednesday night at 7 on 102.5 the Game. Pete Weber and I cover the playoffs from pillar to post.
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