The San Jose Sharks skated into town last night, literally skated as a rather nasty ice storm was finishing up in Music City. Tonight’s game is on, use caution when heading downtown today and as I write this, the side roads are in better condition than the interstates, so choose your route wisely…
The Sharks come in struggling a bit, 2-4-2 in their last eight and they are locked in a steel cage death match in the Pacific Division playoff fight with Calgary and Vancouver… playoffs are not assured for the Sharks, they have to get it turned around and quick. Keep an eye on Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski, especially Pavelski who has five points in his last four ames.
The Predators are still hoping to get recent acquisitions Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli’s work visas worked out in time to get them in Nashville for tonight’s game. Franson has been an assist machine this season with 6 goals and 26 assists on a bad Toronto team, Santorelli has 11 goals and 18 assists so far.
In net for the Sharks, expect to see Antti Niemi who has had an up and down season. Pekka Rinne is expected between the pipes for the Predators.
Here’s the preview for tonight’s game from nhl.com
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Random Notes
- Standings update after play on 2/16 – The Predators lead St. Louis and Montreal by four points in the President’s Trophy race and lead Anaheim by five. St. Louis, Montreal and Nashville have a game in hand on the Ducks.
- The Western Wild Card… Winnipeg (59 games played) continues to hold the first wild card with 70 points. The San Jose Sharks (58) hold the second wild card with 66 points, leading Los Angeles (56) by two points, Minnisota (56) by three and Dallas (56) by six. The Wild, Kings and Stars all have two games in hand on San Jose.
- Both Franson and Santorelli are saying the right things in the media and seem to be generally excited to return to Nashville.
- Ryan Ellis continues to skate with the team and is 1-2 weeks away from a return.
- Congrats to Pekka Rinne on being named NHL Third Star of the Week.
- A couple of wacky games last night… both Rangers/Islanders and Jets/Oilers were nutty!
- Seven games in the NHL tonight – Blue Jackets @ Flyers, Capitals @ Penguins, Islanders @ Hurricanes, Sabres @ Devils, Panthers @ Maple Leafs, Stars @ Blues, Sharks @ Predators.
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SlapShot Radio is back on Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network… We are focusing on hockey history as we talke to two generations of Geoffrion’s… former NHL’ers Danny and Blake Geoffrion. Plus we will take a look at the Predators upcoming road trip. Our premier, day one sponsor is Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at 615-872-7762. Also The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills and Burger Republic!
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