The Nashville Predators are back in action after their first easing of their schedule since the All-Star break. The Buffalo Sabres are in town, fresh off their 3-1 loss to New Jersey last night in Buffalo. These are two teams with different missions… the Predators are trying to solidfy their turnaround after a disastrous six game losing streak earlier this month and get the division lead back. The Sabres are trying not to screw up their positioning as well… only their positioning means a potential generational talent in the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft.
Injuries are the question of the day… James Neal has been out of the lineup for a week now, Eric Nystrom continues to recover from his lower body injury and Colin Wilson left Thursday’s practice with a lower-body injury. The Sabres have a long list of walking wounded, listing five players on IR.
There is no getting around it, this is a huge game for Nashville. With their next three games against some of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, two points are an absolute must here. They have called up Viktor Arvidsson from Milwaukee as a potential replacement in case Wilson cannot go tonight. Arvidsson has been playing well in the AHL and this is first career call up. In yesterday’s practice, he skated on a line with Gabby Bourque and Mike Ribeiro. Viktor is not exactly a stranger as he played with Viktor Stalberg in MIlwaukke, played with Filip Forsberg on the Swedish National Team and he shares an agent with Mattias Ekholm.
Between the pipes, Pekka Rinne will be in net for the Predators, not sure who will be going for Buffalo as former Pred Anders Lindback took the loss last night against the Devils, really not sure if Buffalo coach Ted Nolan will have him go back-to-back.
Game time is 7pm, coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee.
Here is your preview from nhl.com …
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It’s only two days to the SlapShot Radio Cook Off. Some tickets are still available as Predators forward Eric Nystrom and I will be battling it out at The Chef and I in Lenox Village on Monday night. If you have never been to The Chef and I, it is an “open kitchen… restaurant that allows you to watch the chef create your dinner! An incredible, accessible and unique experience. Eric and I will be taking over the show kitchen to compete in an “Iron Chef… like battle to win the Cup!
The Measuring Cup that is…
It’s all to raise money for the Nashville Predators Foundation and should be a lot of fun! Tickets are on sale at our EventBrite site all tickets include a three course gourmet meal prepared by Chef Chris Rains.
The judges for the evening are Dawn Davenport and Neil Orne from News 2 This Morning and Woody and Jim from 107.5 The River’s Woody and Jim Show. Please join us for all the fun, for a great cause! And by the way… you might want to check out The Chef and I’s website… they handle catering, conduct fun cooking classes and run a fantastic restaurant. Chris and Erica Rains are amazing people!
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Random Notes
- Standings update after play on 3/20 – St. Louis has a two point lead over Nashville with 96 points. Anaheim has added to their lead in the conference with 99 points. The Predators have 94 points and are two points in front of Chicago. The Blues have one game in hand over Nashville, the Blackhawks have two.
- The Western Wild Card – Minnesota (71 games played) owns the first wild card slot with 85 points, the Winnipeg Jets (71) are in the second slot with 84 points. The Calgary Flames (71) are in the third slot in the Pacific Division and the LA Kings (70) are one point behind the Flames and two points behind the Jets. San Jose (71) trails the Jets by six points.
- Who Should Pred Nation Root for Today? – Minnesota (I know…) and Dallas have the most direct impact. Regulation wins by both teams help the most…
- The Predators expend to extend their sellout streak tonight to seven. Currently the Predators have played to 98.4% capacity so far this season. The Preds have 24 sellouts so far this season and that number is expected to continue to rise. The franchise record is 25 sellouts in a single season.
- Predators prospect Jimmy Vesey was named ECAC Player of the Year. The Harvard junior leads the ECAC in goals and points in NCAA Division I.
- Word from Las Vegas is that they should hit the 10,000 season ticket deposit mark sometime next week.
- Off topic – Concrete Charlie is gone. As a longtime fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, the stories about Chuck Bednarik are legendary.One of the last two-way players in the NFL, Bednarik was an icon to Iggle fans. RIP Chuck…
- Thirteen games in the NHL tonight – Blues @ Wild, Blue Jackets @ Flames, Canucks @ Kings, Sharks @ Canadiens, Maple Leafs @ Senators, Bruins @ Panthers, Islanders @ Devils, Rangers @ Hurricanes, Capitals @ Jets, Sabres @ Predators, Blackhawks @ Dallas, Penguins @ Coyotes, Flyers @ Oilers..
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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.
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SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network…
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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