One more series to preview… Pred Nation has been impatiently waiting for tonight as the Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks tangle for the third time in the playoffs.
Chicago vs Nashville – This is the third time these two teams have met in the playoffs. Chicago fans will remind you that they have three cups - it’s the biggest tell of a bandwagon fan… shhh… don’t tell them they actually have six. Snark aside… What the Red Wings were up until April 20, 2012, the Blackhawks are now… the measuring stick for progress and success.
Let’s be real here… this is the Vanderbilt / Tennessee rivalry in football (well… at least until recently) … Chicago is the Vols and the Preds are the ‘Dores… The Blackhawks simply do look at Nashville as a rival. Oh sure, their columnists will drag out a few of the old saws, Hee Haw references and kvetching about ticket policies… but really… Nashville is a gnat to them… a pest to be swatted and until Nashville takes this team down in the playoffs, it will always be thus.
Chicago is the overwhelming favorite in this series. Look at most of the national writers and media outlets… their prediction has the Blackhawks winning in three… ok, I’m only half kidding there. I see some half-hearted, semi-respectful comments, but the sentiment is overwhelming… Nashville doesn’t have a chance. Unless…
C’mon, you knew I wasn’t going to leave it there…
This is a Predator team that has finally fully embraced the Laviolette system and since the blueline recovered from a spate of injuries in late January, you have seen this team grow into the expectations heaped upon it. This is a MUCH closer matchup than most pundits will have you believe. Even the fancy stats show that Nashville should compete well in this series, but here is the stat that makes me think Nashville may have a larger chance than most give them…
In 2014-15, the Predators had eight players score 10 or more goals while the Blackhawks had 10. (Blackhawks won series in six games, went on to win Stanley Cup). This year, the Predators had 12 players finish with 10 or more goals while the Blackhawks had only seven. (A year ago the Predators and Blackhawks both had eight).
X-Factor – Controlling the RV… Viktor Arvidsson has had a breakout season and adds another scoring threat to an already lethal offense. A secondary x-factor… Nashville now has late series experience from last year’s run… it could pay off if this series goes deep. Chicago’s X-factor? Been there, done that… this team seems to do the right thing at exactly the right time to extricate themselves from trouble. How Can the Underdog Win? - Puck possession, pure and simple. When this Nashville team plays on its toes and is responsible with the puck, they are almost unstoppable. Prediction - This is going to be a whopper of a series. Chicago has a history of losing in the first round when expectations are high… and right now, they are the odds on favorite to come out of the West… when they beat the Preds in the first round, they win the cup… not this year Felecia… Preds in six.
Game one gets going tonight at 7pm central… coverage on 102.5 the Game, Fox Sports Tennessee and NBCSN.
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Last night’s SlapShot Radio, the annual Playoff Preview Edition
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Playoff Status
Eastern Conference
Washington vs Toronto – Series begins tonight in Washington
Montreal vs New York – NYR leads 1-0 – Game 2 – tomorrow night in Montreal
Ottawa vs Boston – BOS leads 1-0 – Game 2 – Saturday in Ottawa
Pittsburgh vs Columbus – PIT leads 1-0 – Game 2 – tomorrow in Pittsburgh
Western Conference
Chicago vs Nashville – Series begins tonight in Chicago
Anaheim vs Calgary – Series begins tonight in Anaheim
Minnesota vs St. Louis – STL leads 1-0 – Game 2 – tomorrow in Minnesota
Edmonton vs. San Jose – SJS lead 1-0 – Game 2 – tomorrow in Edmonton
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Playoff Random Notes
- I’m not calling tonight a must-win for Nashville… but it would go a long way to put some doubt in the minds of the youngsters on the Hawks.
- The first bulletin board material of the series is out, from a semi-surprising source… longtime Pred fave Jordin Tootoo who is quoted as saying that “It feels great to be on the right side… of this series… Shots fired…
- Wow… Jake Allen was amazing last night… stopping 50 of 51 shots in the Blues win over Minnesota. This is a hard one for Pred Nation to find someone to root for…
- The kids will learn from it… Edmonton blowing a 2-0 lead on home ice to a more experienced San Jose team was a classic example of guile over youth. The Sharks ain’t done… not by a long shot.
- What a goaltending battle in Montreal last night.
- Home teams went 1-4 last night. Canadian teams went 0-3.
- Three games in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight, all times CST – 6pm - TOR @ WSH (USA). 7pm – NSH @ CHI (NBCSN). 9:30pm – CGY @ ANA (NBCSN).
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