The Nashville Predators open one of the toughest stretches of the season tonight at Bridgestone Arena taking on the Dallas Stars in a crucial Central Division matchup. The Predators are looking to set a franchise record tonight as they go for their 9th consecutive win. Dallas is in town on the back half of a back-to-back, coming off an OT loss to Ottawa at home last night. The Stars are in a battle for the third spot in the Central with Minnesota, who they train by a single point (with a game-in-hand) and trying to maintain their playoff position with LA, Colorado and St. Louis hot on their heels.
Dallas is looking to gain a split in the season series as they lost the first two games, one here and one at the AAC, then turned around and beat the Preds right before Christmas. The Stars have a high-powered offense, a questionable defense and goaltending that has been “little girl with the curl… like. When they are good, they are very good, but when they are bad…
Dallas has a solid road record and have gained points in six of their last eight road games, displaying a very solid power play over that timer span. Tyler Seguin is posting another excellent season and could potentially break Mike Modano’s goal record for first five seasons with the Stars. Seguin already has 36 goals this season. Add to that the offensive treats of Jamie Benn (22 goals) and of course, the Prodigal Pred, Alexander Radulov who has 24 goals so far this season for Dallas.
The Predators have been the comeback kids over the last few games, gaining confidence with every passing game and knowing that they can come back from almost any deficit. The run they are on has them one point behind Tampa for the President’s Trophy. I honestly don’t care about that, all I want is to win the conference and get home ice.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena, limited tickets remain for this showdown. Game coverage begins at 6pm on 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network, 6:30pm on Fox Sports Tennessee.
See you at the Bridge!
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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 93 points, leading Winnipeg (0 GIH) by six points and twelve points ahead of Minnesota (1 GIH) … The Predators lead the Westren Conference, holding a four point lead over Vegas (0 GIH.) The Predators trail Tampa Bay (1 GIH) by one point in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 6pm – WPG @ NYR, VGK @ CBJ. 7:30pm FLA @ TBL.
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 99.99%, they need 6 points in 17 games to get to the 96 point line.
The Playoff Point Line - I look at the point level needed for at least a 75%+ chance to make the playoffs… the numbers are becoming more volatile… right now, 96 points gets you at 71.5% chance of making the playoffs, 95 gets you a 55.6% chance.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- Tonight will be Mike Fisher’s home debut this season.
- Ten different players scored on the recent four game road trip.
- Pekka Rinne is 16-1-1 with a 2.14 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and three shutouts in his last 18 games. In that timespan (Jan. 6-March 4), Rinne has the most wins and the second-best save percentage and goals-against average among NHL goaltenders who have also played 18 games.
- I seriously cannot believe silly pundits criticizing the celebration of David Poile’s achievement. You play the schedule that you get, within the rules. My lord… some folks will criticize anything, no matter how stupid it makes them look. But then again… this is the same person who kept saying how washed up Pekka Rinne was…
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team tied their series with HC Sochi a one game each yesterday with a dominating 7-2 win. Tolvanen had 2 power play goals in the win, his first points of the series. The best of five reverts now moves to Sochi, where they will play today and Wednesday.
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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.
We are on every Wednesday night at 7pm on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game. Our co-hosts, Dan Keczmer and JP Dumont bring a true insiders perspective to the show. Our next show is Saturday March 10th at 8am due to Predators Live on Wednesday at 7pm.
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. Also… 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 have opened 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.
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