The question has been asked a lot this season… what is wrong with the Nashville Predators? A preseason darling with the only concern that was raised had to do with the performance of Pekka Rinne, the team has turned into a mid-season enigma, with the only thing that has been consistently solid is the performance of Pekka Rinne.
Go figure…
As the Predators start another three game home stand, the team stands two points outside the playoff mix, certainly not a reason for panic… but the concern level is rising. The team has a sparking 9-2-2 home record, but that showed some cracks on the last home stand, with only one win and three points in three games. These Preds have a downright distressing 3-9-2 road record, including dropping both road games this past week without even being close overall. A desperate Dallas team steamrolled them 5-2, then an even more desperate Coyotes club delivered a 4-1 beat down Saturday night in the desert.
The post-game quotes from the Arizona game strike me as even more distressing as multiple players talked about not matching the desperation level of their opponents. That is a choice issue, not a luck or an injury or a talent issue… I am sure that doesn’t make the head coach happy.
Perhaps some good news is around the corner as moves made over the weekend indicate some needed lineup returns. Both Adam Pardy and Fredrick Gaudreau were reassigned to Milwaukee in what is a pretty clear indicator that Ryan Ellis and Colton Sissons are ready to return to the Predators lineup. Both of these players have been sorely missed during their time on IR. Ellis’ absence on the blueline, especially on special teams has certainly shown in the relative weakness of the Preds power play and more importantly, on what has become a much weaker PK. Sissons has been critical in the faceoff circle and a stabilizing force on the 4th line and while Gaudreau has been serviceable, Colton’s possession numbers and faceoff wins were a glaring absence.
So the Predators now have one helluva week ahead of them… after not taking advantage of teams that frankly, they should’ve beaten… the team finds itself trying to get well against St. Louis, Minnesota and the New York Rangers. Two teams they are chasing and arguable the best team in the NHL right now. As is the custom, this franchise never seems to take the easy path.
Game time Tuesday is 7pm, some tickets remain for this critical Central Division matchup against the Blues. Keep in mind, every game at Bridgestone Arena this season has sold out, so you may want to get your tickets for these three critical games early.
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Just a quick note of thanks for the great gang that went to Arizona with the SlapShot Radio Road Trip. A great time was had by all, two games in two nights, a teddy bear toss, some fantastic weather and as always… the best group of fans and friends you could ask for to travel with. This was the best SSR Road Trip yet! Besides… taking over a couple of rows at Gila River Arena with gold clad Pred fans looked great on TV!
So… how do you get involved in the next SSR Road Trip? Follow and like the SlapShot Radio Fracebook page… here's the link. We do all the arrangements and communication through the page, but you gotta tell us you are interested in the trip! We have big plans for next year… it’s our 10th anniversary season for the show and we plan to have a road trip that matches the occasion.
I would be remiss if I did not give a big, gigantic, humongous thank you to SlapShot Radio’s Marketing Maven, Denise. She puts these road trips together from game tickets to ground transportation to hotel rooms to flights, handling all the logistics and the headaches… it is a huge undertaking and sometimes a thankless one… She did an unbelievable job and deserves all the credit for the success of the trip.
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Random Notes
- Along with Gaudreau and Pardy, recent waiver wire pickup Reid Boucher was also sent to Milwaukee for a conditioning assignment.
- The Preds may trail in the standings, but they have games in hand over almost every team they are chasing. Nashville has played 27 games as I write this. Winnipeg (1 point ahead) has played 32, St. Louis has played 29, Chicago has played 30.
- Anthony Bitetto is quoted in the latest Sports Illustrated in an article about the sudden emergence of Long Island as a youth hockey development hotbed.
- Man… what has come over the Philadelphia Flyers… they won their ninth straight last night, in overtime, against the Detroit Red Wings.
- Two games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – ARI @ PIT. 6:30pm – BOS @ MTL.
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------------------------------------- SSR’s season nine is on, our next show is Saturday December 17 at 8am on 102.5 the Game. SlapShot Radio is the longest running hockey show in the mid-south and Pete Weber and I bring you the best in hockey talk all season long.
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