Starting off by offering a hearty congratulations to Eric Nystrom on winning the SlapShot Radio Cook Off and raising the Measuring Cup last night. We had a great time and raised a good chunk of cash for the Nashville Predators Foundation. Thanks to everyone who came out and a special thanks to the gang at The Chef and I for putting on a great dinner for all attendees! And to answer everyone’s question… Yes, we are going to do this again. After all, the vote was so close I need another chance to get that cup!
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Tonight is the start of a key five game segment of the Nashville Predators schedule as the one of the Eastern Conference leaders, the Montreal Canadiens hit Smashville. The next five games are all against teams, like Nashville, in solid playoff position and fighting for the best seed possible.
The Canadiens come into town looking to build on a three game win streak and their goaltender, Carey Price is looking to build on a two game shutout streak. The Vezina and Hart Trophy favorite has been simply amazing. Price leads the league in wins, goals against average and save percentage, he hasn’t lost a game since 3/18 and hasn’t given up a goal since the 13:35 mark of the second period against Florida on St. Patrick’s Day. Quite often, players in Canadian markets (especially Montreal and Toronto) are a tad over-hyped. Not in this case, Price is deserving of all the accolades and hype he receives.
That being said, there is no slouch in between the pipes for the Predators. Pekka Rinne has been a real difference maker for the Predators this season, he is working on a shoutout streak of his own after Saturday night’s 3-0 win over Buffalo. A game that showed some very positive signs for Pred Nation as Rinne looked better in net than he had for the past few weeks. The Preds are looking to springboard off a dominating performance over the Buffalo Sabres (yeah, yeah… I know…) but the competition level goes from the outhouse to the penthouse in the next five games.
When you look at the season stats, these are two evenly matched teams… similar special teams numbers, similar goals for and goals against numbers, both teams rebounding from the dog days. This is going to be a good one.
7pm game time at Bridgestone Arena, limited tickets remain. Coverage on 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network along with Fox Sport Tennessee coverage beginning with pregame at 6:30 pm on both media.
Here is your preview from nhl.com
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Random Notes
- Standings update after play on 3/23 – St. Louis has a single point lead over Nashville with 97 points. Anaheim has top spot in the conference with 99 points. Chicago is two points behind Preds. The Blackhawks have a game in hand over Nashville and St. Louis.
- The Western Wild Card – Minnesota (73 games played) owns the first wild card slot with 89 points, the Winnipeg Jets (73) are in the second slot with 88 points. The Calgary Flames (73) are in the third slot in the Pacific Division and the LA Kings (72) are two points behind the Flames and four points behind the Jets.
- Who Should Pred Nation Root For Tonight? – Well… besides any kind of Preds win at Bridgestone, the Blues are in Pittsburgh so it would be kinda nice if the Pen’s shook off their funk and come up with a regulation win.
- Colin Wilson practiced yesterday and is close to a return.
- Yesterday’s 60 minute practice session concentrated on the power play and getting traffic to the net.
- For the first time since the Air Canada Center opened, the Maple Leafs failed to sell out last night.
- The Hamburglar stole another one last night as the Ottawa Senators beat San Jose 5-2 and placed the Sens in playoff position, completing a miraculous run to get back into the playoff race.
- So Ilya Kovalchuk wants to come back to the NHL after the Russian ruble has crashed and the value of the contract he signed with St. Petersburg of the KHL is dropping faster a stone in water. Sorry bud, you retired. OK, send him back to New Jersey to play out the silly contract he signed. That way both Kovalchuk and the Devils have to live with their actions.
- Eight games in the NHL tonight – Wild @ Islanders, Kings @ Rangers, Blues @ Penguins, Ducks @ Blue Jackets, Coyotes @ Red Wings, Panthers @ Lightning, Canadiens @ Predators, Jets @ Canucks.
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SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network… This week’s guests are The Voice of the Washington Capitals, Joe Beninati and color analyst for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bobby Taylor.
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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