Before I get to my preview of tonight’s Nashville/Chicago game I wanted to congratulate the Voice of the Predators and co-host of SlapShot Radio, Pete Weber on his being named Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year for the second consecutive year and fourth time overall. An amazing broadcaster and frankly… and even better man, the honor from his peers is well deserved… Congratulations my friend!
And now… to tonight’s game…
Heading into tonight’s showdown in Chicago, the Predators are the owners of a three game losing streak and the Blackhawks are the owners of a seven game win streak. Talk about moving in different directions. However, it also a tale of how quickly a season can turn. A few bounces, a little confidence builds and all of a sudden, you are chasing down the division leader. It’s a message the Predators need to take to heart.
This type of adversity can harden a team and prepare them for a long playoff run. You have seen it over and over again. Teams that have an easy time getting to the second season most times don’t spend much time there, so I prefer to look at this stretch as character building for success.
Pred Nation is wondering when the character meter will be indicating full. It has been a difficult two month stretch for the team and its’ fans. You can’t say they aren’t working hard, you can’t say they aren’t talented enough, hope springs eternal that halfway through the marathon NHL season the Predators are still in playoff position and have complete control of their destiny.
Getting well against one of the hottest teams in the league is a challenge. The kind of a challenge this team has risen to before. Coming into tonight’s game at the United Center, the Blackhawks are scoring like crazy (18 goals in their last five games) and Corey Crawford is making a case for the Vezina. Tonight will not be easy.
On the injury front, Gabriel Bourque is still working his way back, practicing but still not ready to come off IR. Colin Wilson did not practice yesterday and is listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury, Viktor Arvidsson took his place on the second line with Mike Ribeiro and Craig Smith. Eric Nystrom was not on the fourth line as per usual, indicating a potential scratch for tonight, that should become clearer at day of game skate.
Game time is 7:30pm with coverage on the Preds Radio Network flagship 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee. I will be hosting an official Preds watch party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Snyrna... come on out and cheer on the Preds!
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Random Notes
- “Where They Stand… - Entering tonight’s play, the Nashville Predators stand 5th in the Central Division tied in points with Colorado (1 game in hand.) The Predators trail MIN by 7 points, CHI by 13 points (2 GIH,) STL by 10 points (3 GIH) and 1st place Dallas by 17 points (2 GIH). The Predators are currently in the second Wild Card slot, ahead of Colorado as the Preds have the tie break. San Jose trails the Preds by three points and the rest of the Pacific Division trails by 4 or more points.
- Yesterday’s Hockey Hotstove question begs a response… anyone who thinks that Shea Weber is overrated as a defenseman in the NHL has probably been hit with one of his slap shots… there isn’t an NHL general manager or coach that would not take Shea Weber off Nashville’s hands and install him on their top D pair… not a single one.
- Another local sports writer was honored by the NSSA as AP writer Teresa Walker was named Tennessee Sportswriter of the Year. An excellent writer who knows the game… way to go Teresa!
- Congratulations to Alex Ovechkin on scoring his 500th NHL goal.
- Eight games on the NHL schedule tonight (all start times CT) – 6pm – CBJ @ NYI, PIT @ CAR. 7pm – NJD @ STL, BUF @ MIN, SJS @ WPG. 7:30pm – NSH @ CHI. 8pm – TBL @ COL, EDM @ ARI.
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