If I am a St. Louis Blues fan, the only thing I am worried about is that my team may be peaking too early. At least that was my impression after Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Blues. Beyond the performance of Juuse Saros… which was spectacular by the way… and a power play that still isn’t producing on the scoreboard, but is looking better, there’s not much to discuss from Tuesday night.
Nashville had the day off yesterday and practiced at Centennial today before heading to Winnipeg for the second of four consecutive Central Division games. After a very busy February, the Predators have a little badly needed time to practice. The Preds are the only team to have played more that 64 games so far this season and the respite is welcome, the March calendar features two spans of three days between games and only one back to back at the end of the month.
The Predators start on the road with Winnipeg tomorrow night and Minnesota on Sunday night, before returning to Bridgestone Arena for two, one against the Wild and one against the surging Carolina Hurricanes. It’s a tough start to the month, one that will test a team that is desperately seeking consistency, but the practice time today and between home games will help integrate Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund into the team and should pay off come playoff time.
After the quick two game home stand, the team heads to California for three as they vacate Bridgestone Arena for the SEC Basketball championship tournament. Starting off with a game in Anaheim, then LA and San Jose before returning home for two… one against Toronto and one against Pittsburgh. After that it is back to Winnipeg and back to Minnesota before finishing the month with a back to back at Pittsburgh then home against Columbus.
Sixteen games left, additional practice time and only one back-to-back remaining in the season. The excuses for this team will be gone… Only 12 games in March… five at home and seven on the road, by the time the calendar turns to April, the games in hand will be equalized and we will have a solid idea of the Preds seeding in the playoffs.
Strap in…
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The Where We Stand section
Nashville is in first place in the Central Division with a one point lead over the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds three games in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead St. Louis (3 GIH) by five points, Minnesota and Colorado by 11.
Nashville currently holds the 2 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Impact Games Tonight – 930pm – DAL @ LAK.
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals finished February the way they began it, with a loss. This time to Texas, 4-2. Milwaukee finished a disaster area on February with a 1-5-5 record… ugh!
- Granlund – Mikael Granlund was with this team this morning for practice and will play in Friday night’s game against Winnipeg. He is the father of a brand new baby boy!
- Home Quick – Granlund will be able to visit his new son quickly as the Preds head to Minnesota after tomorrow night’s game.
- Signings – The Preds signed two recent depth acquisitions. Laurent Dauphin and Adam Hekewaka are both signed to two-way deals.
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