Before we get to my regular blog remember you can listen to our latest podcast, which just happens to be our season preview/prediction show with Shawn P. Roarke from nhl.com…
And
We have an awesome event to benefit Best Buddies of Tennessee coming up on Friday October 12th… It’s a Murder Mystery specifically written for this event called Five for Murder! This is presented by The Murder Mystery Company , the nationwide leader in mystery-themed entertainment. Our presenting sponsors are SlapShot Radio and by Jackalope Brewing Company.
So, what’s the story? The hockey community is rocked when a high-profile hockey personality is found dead! Now it is up to you and your teammates to find the ice-cold killer… and put him in the penalty box – for life!
If you ever wanted to take part in a live game of Clue, this is your chance!
Join us for a hockey-themed murder mystery show where guests will enjoy an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and a chance to meet some Predators personalities. Throughout the night, the plot will unfold and we need your help to solve the mystery! Guests will get to interrogate suspects, gather clues and work with their team to crack the case before the suspect gets away.
All proceeds benefit Best Buddies programs devoted to changing the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through meaningful one-to-one friendships and supported employment.
This will be a show you won’t want to miss, so grab your tickets today… click here to get your tickets. VIP tickets are almost gone and every ticket includes dinner, and an open bar for beer and wine. Here are the details… When? Friday, October 12, 2018 6–7 pm: VIP Reception (early access and seat choice, meet and great with the cast and Predators personalities) 7 pm: Doors open for General Admission 8–10 pm: Show Where? The Barn at Chavis 4054 Wilson Pike Franklin, TN 37067
It’s going to be a great night and all proceeds benefit Best Buddies… so we would love to see you on Friday Oct. 12.
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OK… it’s time for my predictions for the upcoming season.
The Eastern Conference is going to be fascinating to watch play out, especially considering that the defending Stanley Cup champ is hardly being talked about as a favorite. NHL.com’s staff predictions don’t even have the Washington Capitals returning to the final… that’s good way to give the defending champ a chip on their shoulder to play with. A chip they played with in their 7-0 beat down of Boston last night.
The banner is lifted to the rafters of Capital One Arena, the defense is on, and by the way… I kinda agree with the experts. So, my first prediction… the Washington Capitals will not repeat as Stanley Cup champs – and the normal explanations (short offseason, satisfaction, lack of hunger) won’t apply.
It is my belief that the Capitals change in coaching will be the main reason for them falling short. Talk about a self-inflicted wound… not rehiring Barry Trotz as the head coach is one thing, but another BIG reason will be the loss of Mitch Korn as the goaltending coach in Washington. The goalie whisperer has moved on to the Island with Trotz and this will have a major impact on the Caps.
Other crazy predictions in the east…
The Florida Panthers and… wait for it… the Buffalo Sabres will both make the playoffs. No, I am not crazy… both teams have boatloads of young talent and budding superstars. Both teams are goaltender dependent… It is my opinion that Roberto Luongo has one more really good season in him and for Buffalo, Carter Hutton is the key… if he makes the transition to starter… Buffalo makes the playoffs.
So here’s my fearless (and slightly insane) predictions for the 2018-19 regular season.
Atlantic Division – 1. Boston Bruins 2. Florida Panthers 3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Metropolitan Division – 1. Pittsburgh Penguins 2. New Jersey Devils 3. Washington Capitals
Wild Cards – 1. Toronto Maple Leafs 2. Buffalo Sabres
I would not be surprised if Carolina sneaks their way in to a Wild Card… I know that Philly and Columbus both got into the playoffs last season but I don’t see it happening again. Goaltending issues in Philly and Panarin issues in C-bus. I am not drinking the Toronto Kool Aid for the regular season just yet. I expect them to struggle a bit at the start of the season, but… If the team does what I think it will, however, they could be scary by the playoffs.
So let’s talk about the West…
If the NHL went to a 1-16, league wide playoff seeding… the West could sport 12 playoff teams… and potentially 1-2 more… the conference is that good. Injuries and suspensions could hamper a few teams but it is my belief that 4 teams will miss the playoffs that would make the post season if they were in the East.
So let’s talk about the conference champ… the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas shocked the hockey world by making the Stanley Cup Final in their first year of existence. They combined an emotional bonding with the city over a tragedy with a 1000 pound chip on their collective shoulder, referring to themselves as the “island of misfit toys.… The disrespect thing works for a season, but I don’t think it works much beyond that. Vegas also took advantage of career years from players like William Karlsson, Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault… does anyone seriously expect those players to repeat 99 goals and 208 points in another season? The adds of Max Pachioretty and Paul Stastny helps, but catching lightning in a bottle is tough enough one time, twice in a row? Not sure I am buying it.
The other teams that seem to be gathering a bunch of headlines are the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues. San Jose’s trade for Erik Karlsson has a lot of pundits heaping Stanley Cup expectations on this team. St. Louis added some nice pieces but still hasn’t addressed their most glaring weakness… between the pipes. So… where does the West shake out?
Pacific Division – 1. San Jose 2. Los Angeles 3. Anaheim
Central Division – 1. Winnipeg 2. Nashville 3. Dallas
Wild Cards – 1. Edmonton 2. St. Louis
I know… calling Vegas out of the playoff mix is a bold call… but I am not sold on them defensively and the loss of Nate Schmidt for a 20 game suspension for PED usage will further hamper this team’s blueline. I am not too high on Edmonton at all but I do expect Cam Talbot to rebound some from last year’s terrible, horrible, no good season. I am also not buying the whole “Calgary is back… scenario either. There are some nice pieces on the Flames, but when you are counting on Mike Smith in net…
The Central predictions can go either way in the 1-2 spot… flip a coin… I just know that Nashville has learned that winning the division/conference/President’s Trophy is not the goal, they learned it the hard way last season. I have my questions on the Jets, especially given that Paul Stastny’s stabilizing force is gone and Bryan Little is going to have to have a much better season that 2017-18.
So… bookmark this page come April so you can beat me about the head and neck with my stupid predictions.
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The Nashville Predators are in New York to take on the Rangers at MSG tonight in the season opener for each club, each wanting to make a statement. The Rangers want to prove they are not the worst team in the Metro, but the rebuild is underway on Broadway. The Predators want to get off to a good start to a season where expectations are high for a team that feels it left the playoff party far too early last May.
There’s a new bench boss in New York as the Rangers are following a new trend of bringing college coaches in, they hired David Quinn to replace Alain Vigneault, who was fired at the end of last season. There are some familiar faces on this Ranger team, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, former Pred Cody McLeod, Pred Nation’s favorite (or second favorite) booing target, Jimmy Vesey and of course, Henrik Lunqvist in net. You wonder if King Henrik can hang in there until this team becomes competitive again, don’t get me wrong… this team has some young talent on the opening night roster… and even more waiting for their shot in the AHL, but this season could be a rough one on Broadway.
For Nashville, there is a palpable chip on this team’s shoulder. They do not like how last season ended and have been chomping at the bit to get this season going and they get it going under the bright lights of the big city with a national TV audience.
The excitement for opening night can be felt up and down the lineup and frankly, the schedule falls nicely for the Preds for this first week… open with two on the road, get a little bonding time while you are out of town to focus solely on getting these four points before the home opener and a four game homestand against some tough Western Conference competition.
It all begins tonight at 6:30pm. Game coverage with the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber and Hal Gill on color is on 102.5 the Game starting at 6:30pm. Darren McFarland has pregame at 5:30pm. TV coverage is on NBCSN.
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Random Notes
- The Predators opening night lineup includes 12 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies. Ryan Hartman will start the season on IR.
- Nice to see Frederick Gaudreau make the opening night lineup. This is a big season for him.
- Nice ceremony in DC last night, except… c’mon Washington… show a little class… not a single picture or mention of the head coach that got you there??? You’re better than that.
- Things got nasty fast in Washington’s 7-0 blowout win over Boston. Brad Marchand and Lars Eller got into a nasty fight after Eller put the extra point on and celebrated a bit too much for Marchand’s liking. Marchand has been suspended six times in his career and he really didn’t give Eller a chance to accept or turn down the fight, don’t be surprised if the DoPS gets involved.
- Oh and by the way - Marchand, if you want to stop players from celebrating a goal, try stopping them from scoring, just sayin’
- Big win for Anaheim against the Sharks last night as their youngsters really stepped up to help spoil the debut of Erik Karlsson in teal.
- Looks like Seattle is coming closer and closer to reality as the NHL’s 32nd team and finally balancing out the conferences.
- If Seattle ends up as the 32nd franchise, there may be some realignment and speculation is building that Edmonton and Calgary could move to the Central with Colorado moving to the Pacific to join the new Seattle team.
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