OK… you were hoping it would, but you knew it wasn’t going to last forever. Last night’s 5-2 loss to Toronto was one that would be easy to say, no worries… we’re in good shape… let it go. A team could be forgiven for having that attitude. The Predator’s reactions to last night?
I think the reporter for the Predators Radio Network and blogger for 102.5 the Game’s website, Jeremy K. Gover said it best in a tweet last night…
You know what I love about this? This team just went 14-0-1 in their last 15 prior to this game. They could easily have said "not our night' or "we fought the puck," etc. Instead, the #Preds were PISSED.
— Jeremy K. Gover (@govertime) March 23, 2018
That's the sign of a team that's focused on the prize. https://t.co/x3R70un9Da
Last night was the first regulation loss for the Preds since dropping a 3-1 decision to Detroit on 2/17. 33 days without a regulation loss. Hmmm… I’ll take that.
The loss may be the wake up call this team was looking for heading into a tough stretch. Looking ahead, this team has the final three games against the Central Division. Saturday at Minnesota, Sunday @ Winnipeg and Tuesday back home against the Wild. Six available points that will be a critical decision point on the division, conference and league titles. A single loss dropped the Predators chances at the President’s Trophy to 50.9% … the race for the President’s Trophy may come down to the final weekend.
There were a couple of interesting nuggets that came out of last night’s game that gives you an idea of how dominant this team has been for a long stretch of this season…
- Last night, the team game up two or more goals in a single game for the first time since December 19. A 40 game stretch. - Since their last regulation loss, in Vegas on January 2nd, the Predators have a 15 game road point streak on the line as the weekend begins.
So, the team heads out for the Twin Cities today for a critical back-to-back. Game time tomorrow night is 7pm.
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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 106 points, leading Winnipeg (0 GIH) by eight points … The Predators lead the Western Conference, holding a six point lead over Vegas (1 GIH.) The Predators also now lead Tampa Bay (1 GIH) in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy by virtue of the tie-breaker.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 7pm – ANA @ WPG, VAN @ STL. 7:30pm – BOS @ DAL.
Playoff seed chances - The Predators chances of top seed in the West dropped to 93% after last night’s loss, their chances at the President’s Trophy dropped to 50.9%
The Current Opponent - If the playoffs began today, the Predators would draw the number 8 seed in the second wild card position… currently the Anaheim Ducks.
Most likely first round opponent - The highest percentage goes to St. Louis at 24%... Colorado is at 22.8%, Anaheim is at 18.2%.
Teams that have punched their playoff ticket - Nashville, Tampa Bay and Boston. Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- What fun to welcome Monique and Jocelyn Lamoureaux to Smashville last night… they looked great in Predator Gold!
- The Nashville Predators have sold out of season tickets for the 2018-19 season. Who saw that one coming 8 years ago?
- Great news about NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk, who announced he is cancer free last night.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team now trails their series with CSKA 3-2 after a five overtime win in game five of the best-of-seven… game six is tomorrow in Helsinki.
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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.
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