It’s Game Night on Long Island as the Predators make their final regular season visit to Nassau County Coliseum for a battle of the two surprise powers. The Nashville Predators and New York Islanders were not exactly expected to hold the lofty perched that they do, the Predators lead the race for the President’s Trophy, the Islanders Lead the Metropolitan Division and are seven points back of the Preds.
The Predators bring a six game win streak into tonight’s game and plenty of questions about work visas. Recent acquisitions Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli haven’t been able to join the team since their Sunday trade from Toronto, but word is breaking that the two will join the team this afternoon. Ryan Ellis continues to get closer to his return to the team, reports from today’s morning skate have him on the ice with the team again. The Predators will probably go with Pekka Rinne tonight and split duties with Carter Hutton over the weekend as the team goes back-to-back in Philly and Buffalo.
The Islanders are more than just John Taveres, who leads the team in goals (28) and points (30) and is the unquestioned leader of this team. The defensive acquisitions from earlier in the season are paying big dividends for the team as Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy , both cap casualties from Chicago and Boston, have played outstanding hockey and stabilized the blueline for this team. Jaroslav Halak has had a quietly excellent season, with 31 wins thusfar.
Game time is 6pm on Fox Sports Tennessee and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame starts at 5:30pm.
Here is your preview courtesy of nhl.com…
-----------------------------------
Random Notes
- Standings update after play on 2/18 – Since retaking the lead in the race for the President’s Trophy on 2/8, the Predators have padded their lead to six points over the Canadiens, Blues and Lightning. They are six up on the Blues in the Central and nine up on the Blackhawks. The Preds, Canadiens and Blues all have a game in hand on Anaheim
- The Western Wild Card – Watch out… with their sixth straight win, the Los Angeles Kings have definitely flipped the switch. The Winnipeg Jets (Games played – 59) still are in the first Wild Card slot but the Kings (57) are now in the second slot, knocking the San Jose Sharks (59) out of the playoff mix even though both have 66 points, the Kings have played two fewer games. Minnesota (57) trails by one point, Dallas (57) trails by four.
- I remember visiting Nassau Coliseum in the mid-80’s and thinking it was a stinky dump at that time… I can only imagine what it is like now!
- With his goal Tuesday night… James Neal has scored 20 goals or more in each of his first seven NHL seasons.
- The Preds win on Tuesday night was their 39th of the season. Last year the team won 38.
- Wow… the Pittsburgh Penguins have welcomed a new resident to their heads… It’s Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. They join Anaheim in whining about the Russian sniper… and the Caps continue to laugh it off.
- The Anaheim Ducks lost again last night, their second in a row, 3-6-1 in their last ten. The next few for the Ducks… Saturday at Calgary, Sunday at Edmonton, then home against Detroit, Ottawa and Los Angeles.
- Seven games in the NHL today – Predators @ Islanders, Canucks @ Rangers, Sabres @ Flyers, Blue Jackets @ Penguins, Jets @ Capitals, Panthers @ Canadiens, Sharks @ Stars.
--------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
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!
Last night’s podcast is posted to the website.
We’ve got room for your business to be part of the SlapShot Radio family with effective and affordable advertising packages for every budget. Be part of the excitement of Nashville hockey… Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base via email at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
Radio station owners/programmers, join the SlapShot Radio Network… contact me using the email above to carry SlapShot Radio on your station, we are satellite delivered every week via SkyView on the SlapShot Radio Network. Each show contains two full breaks for your usage.
Our podcasts are posted… Click here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.