All the hubbub and hullabaloo is done, now the real work begins. It’s game night in Smashville for the first divisional game of this young season. Dallas is in town and both teams are looking for their second win of the season after winning their first on Tuesday night. Considering the pressure of expectations heaped on both teams and the surprising starts from St. Louis and Colorado… well… this game takes on additional criticality, especially considering it is only game four of this young season
After a disastrous 16/17 season, where Murphy’s Law struck everytime it could, Dallas made a few adjustments… Ken HItchcock is back behind the Stars bench, they added Ben Bishop between the pipes and also added an old friend. The Prodigal Pred is now in Dallas after a solid season in Montreal. Yes, Alexander Radulov and Ken Hitchcock… I’ve grabbed the popcorn, because this situation has a lot of potential for drama.
Dallas will be high powered offensively… that is a given. The questions for this team, as they have been for the past few seasons, start in net and cross over into the blueline. Is Ben Bishop the answer? Have the added enough to help John Klingberg on the blueline?
For Nashville… it’s getting back to the business of the regular season. Consistency is the issue for this team… consistency of effort, consistency of performance, consistency of energy.
That’s not to say there aren’t some very good things happening. Filip Forsberg and Scott Hartnell are off to great starts. Hartnell appears rejuvenated in a system that showcased his talents well in Philly, being back in Peter Laviolette’s system has unleashed the veteran… and Forsberg, a notoriously slow starter, has already got three goals.
Question marks on the injury front… for Dallas, former Predator Dan Hamhuis is not expected to be in the lineup after missing Tuesday with a groin injury, for Nashville, both Colton Sissons and Roman Josi are listed as day-to-day.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena, very limited tickets remain for the Central Division showdown. Coverage gets going at 6pm with pregame on 102.5 the Game. Fox Sports Tennessee pregame starts at 6:30pm. Game coverage at 7pm.
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Random Notes
- In an incredibly close vote, the new anthem singer for Nashville is… all four contestants! Katie Ohh has the honor tonight.
- After tonight, three of the next four games are on the road… in Chicago Saturday, back home Tuesday, then a quick northeastern trip as the Preds have a rematch with Philly then a trip to the Garden for a game against the Rangers.
- Dallas is pouring shots on goal so far… averaging almost 40 shots per game.
- With all of Dallas’ high powered offense, a defenseman, John Klingberg is leading the team in scoring with 4 points.
- The next win for Ken Hitchcock will move him into third place in the NHL’s all-time coaching win category. He is currently tied with the legendary Al Arbour.
- I love Wednesday’s because a must read comes out… Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts column on Sportsnet.ca
- KHL Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit club has now won 12 consecutive games, beating Traktor 3-0 yesterday with Tolvanen posting his 9th assist of the season. Tolvanen now has 11 goals and 9 assists for 20 points in 16 games so far. Jokerit goes for lucky 13 a little later this morning against Lada.
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------------------------------------- SlapShot Radio has an exciting season in store for our tenth anniversary season. 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.
We are on every Wednesday night at 7pm on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game. Our new co-hosts are ex-Preds Dan Keczmer and JP Dumont bringing a true insiders perspective to the show. Well… almost every Wednesday… our next show is Saturday at 7am… we are stepping aside for the players show…
We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762, Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799, and TurfMasters… check out their great service at TurfMasters.com.
We are also welcoming a new sponsor to the SlapShot Radio family… The Crag… Nashville’s premiere location for indoor rock climbing. Newton Dominey and his awesome crew have a great location in Cool Springs and they are opening a new location in South Nashville at the corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Nolensville Rd. Check out their website at ILoveRockCLimbing.com If you’ve never done it before… you need to try, they specialize on helping first timers.
Advertisers… reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great preseason advertising deals available for our tenth season when you email me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
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If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at on SoundCloud.
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