Nothing could be finer than a Game Night in Carolina as the Nashville Predators hit Raleigh for an interesting inter-conference matchup with the Hurricanes. Carolina is effectively out of the hunt for an Eastern Conference playoff spot, but don’t let that fool you, this is a solid home team that sports a 20-10-4 record at PNC Arena. If Carolina was able to get anything close to a .500 record on the road, they would be safely in the Eastern Conference playoff mix.
Nashville needs to stay on the winning track in order to avoid the Wild Card mess below them. St. Louis has been keeping the pressure on, staying two points back. St. Louis holds the tie-breaker with a ROW of 36, three ahead of Nashville. Nashville is looking for its fourth consecutive win and points in six straight.
Reports from Raleigh indicate a lineup change tonight as Craig Smith is not reported as part of the projected lineup on the Preds website. It’s hard to fault Smith’s effort but, the results really haven’t been there over the bulk of the season. No word on who is in net tonight as I write this.
Game time is 6pm Central, pregame gets going on the Predators Radio Network flagship 102.5 the Game at 5pm, Fox Sports Tennessee’s pregame starts 30 minutes later. Game coverage on both media at 6pm.
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Random Notes
- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 81 points in 70 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by two points. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 94.1%.
- Impact Game Warning - STL @ ARI – The Blues schedule turns incredibly soft beginning tonight. Five of their next seven is against either Arizona or Colorado.
- Viktor Arvidsson is getting some well deserved love in the media.
- Next week is Military Appreciation Week in Smashville as we honor the brave men and women who have so faithfully served our country.
- The first playoff berth can be clinched tonight if Washington wins, the Caps clinch a spot in the playoffs,
- Ten games in the NHL today, all times CST – Noon – COL @ DET, CBJ @ NYI. 6pm CHI @ TOR, NSH @ CAR, MTL @ OTT, WSH @ TBL, NYR @ MIN. 7pm – STL @ ARI, 8pm – VAN @ EDM. 8:30pm – ANA @ SJS.
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