After a difficult back-to-back where the Predators took two of a possible four points, Nashville is home for the next four, beginning tonight against the LA Kings in a potential first round playoff preview. If the playoffs were to begin tonight, the Preds would play the Kings. The Predators have dropped both regular season games to the Kings thus far, both in overtime. The two OT losses actually keep a rather interesting stat alive. The Preds are undefeated in regulation against the Kings for the last eight games (5-0-3.)
The Kings have clinched a playoff spot and lead the Pacific Division with 93 points, four points up on Anaheim and five up on San Jose. LA is coming off of a 2-1 win over Boston and appear to be hitting their stride at the right time. This is the first of a three game road trip for the Kings, taking them to Minnesota and Winnipeg after tonight’s tilt. Now it is all about positioning for the Kings.
Nashville took Saturday off before a well-attended public practice yesterday at Ford Ice Center. No real changes to the line combination were evident in that practice. The Preds also announced the recall of Gabriel Bourque and Eric Nystrom from their conditioning assignment in Milwaukee. Anthony Bitetto and Paul Gaustad did not participate in yesterday’s practice and are listed as day-to-day, Mike Ribeiro was given a maintenance day. According to NHL.com, Nystrom is ready to go, but Bourque is not.
Still no word on an official starter in net for the Predators, but I would assume it would be Pekka Rinne. Jonathan Quick has been announced as the Kings starter.
The Predators and Kings have both been playing very solid hockey over the last ten games… the Preds are 6-2-2, the Kings are 7-2-1. Anze Kopitar has been heating up, he owns a five game point streak, potting six goals and seven assists over that span.
The final three weeks of the regular season begins tonight… faceoff is at 7:15 after a recognition ceremony for Mike Fisher’s 1000th game. It is also 90’s night and Dollar Dog Night on top of what should be an excellent game. Coverage on 102.5 the Game, Fox Sports Tennessee and the Predators Radio Network.
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Random Notes
- “Where They Stand… – Entering tonight’s play, the Nashville Predators are 4th in the Central Division with 85 points, trailing 3rd Place Chicago by 6 points. The Predators trail 2nd place St. Louis by 8 points and 1st place Dallas by 10 points, Nashville has a game in hand on all three teams.. The Predators are in the first wild card slot, leading Colorado by five points and Minnesota by six points with a game in hand on each.
- Per SportsClubStats.com, the Predators playoff chances stand at 98.9% heading into tonight’s play. According to the site, finishing with 94 points or better will give the team a 99%+ chance on being in the playoffs.
- Pekka Rinne is 9-1-2 in his last 12 starts posting a .937 save percentage.
- Colorado and Minnesota are both at or near the 50% mark (according to SportsClubStats.com) when measuring their chance of making the playoffs. Their last head-to-head matchup is this Saturday.
- Vesey Watch – Harvard dropped the ECAC Tournament Final against Quinnipiac 4-1, however the Crimson was selected as a three seed in the NCAA Tournament. They play 2 seed (ranked 4th overall) Boston College this Friday night. It’s win or go home time for the Crimson. The winner of this game plays for a spot in the Frozen Four against the winner of Providence / Minnesota-Duluth. You will get a chance to watch the final games of Jimmy Vesey’s college career on ESPN as their family of channels cover the tournament. ESPNU will have the game Friday with a 7pm CT puck drop.
- The Frozen Four is scheduled for April 7th – 9th in Tampa.
- Four games in the NHL tonight, all times central – 6pm – FLA @ NYR. 6:30pm – PHI @ NYI, CGY @ TML. 7pm – LAK @ NSH. ------------------------------------
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