When the schedule was released, this date was circled. The Nashville Predators invade Bell Centre in Montreal for a showdown with the Montreal Canadiens. Not that there’s a big rivalry, but it is the return of PK Subban to the place where he made his bones as an NHL player, a place where he ruffled the feathers of a franchise culture that frankly, drove him out. The back shots were fascinating to observe as many tried the proverbial “dog in the manger… ploy on Subban. To those detractors, that kind of player doesn’t use his five day break to strengthen and sharpen his skating… which is exactly what Subban did over the bye week, training in Florida with a skating coach.
After tonight’s return, the story starts being about results on the ice vs. conjecture about the room and PK’s personality…and that’s a good thing.
The Predators begin the sprint for the playoffs with a difficult start to the month of March, tonight in Montreal against the Habs and Saturday, at home against the Blackhawks. Montreal is on a three game win streak, Nashville is on a four game win streak and a six game point streak. Montreal leads the Atlantic Division by six points and seemed to have fixed the February swoon they were on. Nashville is looking to solidify their hold on 3rd in the Central and finally have broken the “win one lose one… cycle they were on for much of February.
The Habs are led by Max Pachoretty, leading the team in points and goals… and don’t forget about the Prodigal Pred, Alexander Radulov, who seems to have rescued his NHL career with Montreal. Shea Weber had a torrid start to the season, but his scoring has cooled a bit over the past few months. He has 37 points (14g, 23a) in 64 games (.58 PPG) for Montreal drawing the inevitable comparison to Subban who has 30 points (8g, 22a) in 47 games (.64 PPG) for the Predators. The Predators are led in goal scoring by the hot, hot, hot Filip Forsberg, who has 14 points (10g, 4a) over his last six games and looks to keep riding that streak into March. The JOFA line is getting it done and firing on all cylinders… it will be a shutdown focus for Montreal tonight.
The battle in net could be a very good one. Carey Price vs. Pekka Rinne has all the makings of a stand on your head, can you top this goalie battle.
Montreal’s trade deadline focus was to add some size and some grit… adding Dwight King and Steve Ott certainly will increase the snarl factor for the Habs. Nashville had the same focus earlier in trade season, adding Cody McLeod and Vern Fiddler, then finished off their acquisitions by adding a solid top nine winger in PA Parenteau. Parenteau will be headed directly to Nashville… no word yet on if we see any of Montreal’s deadline day acquisitions tonight.
Game time is 6:30pm CT tonight, coverage on the Predators Radio Network gets started with pregame at 5:30pm on the Predators flagship, 102.5 the Game, pregame on Fox Sports Tennessee gets going at 6pm. Game coverage begins on both media at 6:30pm.
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Last night’s SlapShot Radio featuring Preds GM David Poile and Eklund from hockeybuzz.com
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Random Notes
- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 73 points in 63 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by six points. The Blues have a game in hand on Nashville. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 93.2%
- David Poile made a few paper moves yesterday, sending Kevin Fiala and Juuse Saros down to Milwaukee and recalling… simply to ensure they are available for the Admirals in case of a long playoff run for the Ad’s. They are now eligible for the AHL playoffs if they are available.
- There is an official announcement scheduled for later today in Bellevue… it should be the announcement of a new rink being constructed on the old Bellevue Mall site, similar to the Ford Ice Center that was built on the ground of the old Hickory Hollow Mall that has led to a revitalization of the area.
- Montreal’s three game win streak has all happened in overtime. The team is 4-2-0 under new head coach Claude Julien.
- The expansion draft loomed large over deadline day… I believe it was a major reason for the slow day.
- Can you figure out what the hell Colorado is doing? Yeah… neither can i…
- The Vegas Golden Knights have made their final payment to the NHL and are officially the 31st NHL franchise. Let the dealing begin!
- Ten games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – NJD @ WSH, NYR @ BOS, FAL @ PHI, MIN @ CBJ, ATI @ BUF. 6:30pm – NSH @ MTL, COL @ OTT. 7:30pm – NYI @ DAL. 9:30pm – TOR @ LAK, VAN @ SJS.
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