With big thanks to the Washington Capitals, the Predators had their playoff ticket punched last night due to the Avalanche losing in regulation to the Caps. With playoff participation confirmed, it’s time to look at positioning heading into tonight’s game with the San Jose Sharks. Tonight is the first of a three game home stand before the Preds finish the regular season in Dallas next Saturday night.
First, there is a losing streak to break. Nashville has dropped games to Colorado, Dallas and Pittsburgh at the end of a four game in six day timeframe, but that kind of thing does raise the specter of the season ending six game losing streak last year among Pred Nation. Tonight the Predators run into a playoff bound Sharks team that has been playing .500 hockey over their last ten and are coming off a loss to Vancouver.
This Sharks team is led by the captain Joe Pavelski, who has done an outstanding job leading this team, especially given all the drama that has surrounded this team over the past few seasons. Peter DeBoer has done an outstanding job this season and should be in consideration for the Jack Adams. Not only navigating the drama, but utilizing the talent on this team well… a turnaround for Joe Thorton and Patrick Marleau and the rising of goaltender Martin Jones.
The Predators are shaking things up a bit, a definite wake-up call was sent to Colin Wilson with his healthy scratch on Thursday night, five goals and 22 points simply ain’t cutting it for a player with his talent level. With 25 players currently on the roster, performance on the ice is everything. The Preds are looking for a season sweep against the Sharks and both teams appear to have their playoff positions set. San Jose has the third spot in the Pacific locked up, Nashville is in fairly solid position as the first wild card, but Minnesota is in striking distance, Nashville needs at least four points to lock in the top wild card slot and a date against the Pacific winner in the first round.
Game time is 7pm central, very limited tickets remain for tonight’s showdown with coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee, 102.5 the Game 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 91 points, trailing 3rd Place Chicago by 6 points. The Predators are in the first wild card slot, leading Minnesota by 4 points, the Wild have a game in hand over the Preds.
- If the playoffs started today, the Predators would be crossing over to the Pacific and playing the Los Angeles Kings.
- First round opponent chances (per SportsClubStats) – Los Angeles – 67.9%, Anaheim – 21.1%, Dallas – 8.4%, St. Louis – 2.4%, Chicago – 0.6%,
- Interesting discussion among the hockey writers on ESPN.com about who Anaheim or LA would prefer to play in the first round, San Jose or Nashville? Pierre LeBrun figures either team would want Nashville to avoid the intra-state battle. Scott Burnside said that either team would prefer to avoid the travel (and Nashville’s strengths on defense and in net.) Craig Custance cites travel as being the biggest issue (beyond opponent)… that’s the opinion I agree with. I remember back to when the Preds beat Anaheim in the first round, then had Vancouver in the second round… travel was brutal.
- The Preds were off yesterday, so no update on Ryan Ellis.
- Eleven games in the NHL today, all times central – Noon – PIT @ NYI, OTT @ PHI. 3pm – DAL @ LAK. 6pm – DET @ TOR, NJD @ TBL, MTL @ FLA, BUF @ NYR, CBJ @ CAR. 7pm – SJS @ NSH. 9pm – WSH @ ARI. 9pm – CGY @ EDM. ------------------------------------
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