The last game before the CBA mandated bye week is tonight for the Nashville Predators as they welcome the Edmonton Oilers to Music City. The Oilers are in the midst of a really disappointing season for a team that considered itself a Stanley Cup contender preseason. 43 games into the season and the Oilers have 39 points. They are 8 points out of a wild card spot and nine points out of the 3 slot in the Pacific Division.
Why? Hell… if I had the answer to that I’d be behind the bench… and maybe it starts there… Todd McLellan is on the hot seat as he has a team that is loaded with talent, and underachieving… again.
Goaltending? Injuries have played a role here, but Cam Talbot is having a mediocre year at 15-15-2 with a 3+ GAA and a .902 save percentage.
Scoring? Yeah… especially from a secondary perspective… beyond Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid … well there ain’t much… it allows teams to stack up on that line and limit their effectiveness as well.
The Predators are looking to solidify their performance, looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since before Christmas. It was nice to see Nashville simplify their game and increase their shot volume… I’d like to see a little more care with the puck and reverse this nasty turnover trend we have been seeing for the first half of the season.
On the injury front, Edmonton’s IR is empty, Nashville lists Filip Forsberg, who should be out until after the All-Star break.
Both of these teams have speed to burn and if tonight is anything like the last time these two teams met, the pace will be breakneck. I do expect the goaltending matchup to be Pekka Rinne vs. Cam Talbot.
Game time is 7pm, limited tickets remain for tonight’s game. Pregame coverage begins on 102.5 the Game at 6pmgame coverage begins at 7pm. NBCSN has the game tonight on national TV.
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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 stand third in the Central Division with 54 points, three points behind Winnipeg (2 GIH) and one point behind St. Louis (4 GIH) … the Preds lead Dallas by three points (2 GIH)… and lead Colorado (0 GIH) and Minnesota by seven points (1 GIH.)
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 2pm - Edmonton @ Chicago, San Jose @ Winnipeg, St. Louis @ Washington.
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 96% after yesterday’s play.
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Random Notes
- Tonight begins a stretch where eight of the next nine games are inside the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena.
- Edmonton has won only once since Christmas.
- The Predators have a ten game win streak over Edmonton, including five in a row at home.
- The Oilers need to catch fire and fast if they expect to make the playoffs. To reach the 96 point level and an 85% chance to make the playoffs, they have to go 26-8-5 or other combo to achieve 57 points in 39 games.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen finished the World Juniors tournament with 1 goal and 5 assists for Team Finland. Tolvanen now returns to Jokerit in the KHL, his return to the Jokerit lineup is still up in the air.
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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.
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