The Western Conference focus continues tonight as the Vancouver Canucks make their first trip to Music City tonight. This Canuck team is attempting to rebuild on the fly and is having some success as they are a single point out of a Wild Card slot and two points behind San Jose for third in the Pacific. The Predators will have to be careful not to overlook this Canuck team or they will end up on the wrong end tonight.
Nashville has definitely been on a roll, going 10-1-1 in their last 12 games and posting a power play goal in each of their 11 home games so far this season on their way to a 9-1-1 record inside the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena.
Keep an eye on rookie sensation Brock Boeser who is rolling along on a point per game pace with 11 goals and 11 assists, closely followed by Bo Horvath with 10 goals and 8 assists. Thomas Vanek is seeing a bit of a renaissance with 8 goals and 7 assists so far, tied in points with Sven Baertschi. Fascinating that I get down to the 5th spot in scoring before mentioning a Sedin… both Henrik and Daniel have 12 points each.
The Canucks have gotten decent goaltending this season, both Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson have respectable 2.63 GAA…s … but Markstrom’s .909 save percentage is only average.
For the Predators… the JoFA line has been dominant, they were almost unstoppable at times in Tuesday’s win over Chicago. The only quibble I have with this team is their giveaways and their occasional loose play with the puck. It has gotten them into trouble occasionally, but it will bite them hard if they can’t get it under control.
Vancouver is coming in trying to avoid a four game losing streak as they finish an almost two week long road trip that has taken them to Philly, Pittsburgh, New Jersey and both New York teams before finishing in Smashville. The Preds play three of their next four at home before heading to Western Canada for three.
Game time is 7pm … very limited tickets remain. Game coverage on 102.5 the Game starts with pregame at 6pm, Fox Sports Tennessee coverage begins at 6:30pm.
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Last night’s SlapShot Radio…
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Random Notes
- A win for Nashville tonight will tie the franchise record for best November in franchise history, another power play goal tonight will also tie the franchise record for consecutive home games with a man advantage marker.
- A win tonight vaults the Predators into a first place tie with St. Louis, who lost to Anaheim last night.
- The Predators have moved up to number 3 in the NHL’s Super 16, behind No. 2 St. Louis and No. 1 Tampa Bay
- Watch out, Carey Price is back and so are the Canadiens… they won their third straight last night.
- KHL Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit club dropped an overtime decision to Amur 5-4 yesterday. Tolvanen was again held off the scresheet and stands at 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points in 34 games. Jokerit is back in action Sunday against SKA – ST. Petersburg.
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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 12/9 at 8am.
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.
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