To start off… thanks for all the well-wishes. My upper body injury is doing much better and I will be there, ready to go tomorrow night. My thanks to the docs that helped fix me up! Now…
I got nothing.
I cannot explain what happened last night. Giving up a 2 goal lead on the road against Anaheim? Giving up 4 in the third? There is no explanation. So I am not even going to try…
Here are your highlights, from nhl.com
You have to wonder what a “wheels come off… performance like that does to a team’s psyche. Is it easy to forget, like an 8-0 drubbing all rolled into one period? Or does it stay with you like San Jose’s collapse in last year’s playoffs?
Looking ahead… the next seven days will go a long way to determining the Central Division.
Starting tomorrow night, St. Louis will have five games in seven nights, all on the road, all against teams in playoff position as of this writing. This week is only the third week since New Year’s that the Blues have four games, by comparison, the Predators just finished their fifth four game week in the same time frame. Since New Year’s, The Blues had five back-to-backs, the Preds had seven. The Preds have one more back-to-back in the regular season, the Blues have two. It’s important to look at this as part of an apples-to-apples comparison.
The remaining schedule for the Blues see them playing seven on the road and six at home. Their remaining games … @ Calgary, @ Winnipeg, @ Minnesota, @ Detroit @ Pittsburgh, Columbus, Vancouver, Calgary, @ Dallas, @ Chicago, Winnipeg, Chicago, Minnesota. Only two games are against non-playoff positioned teams (as of this writing.) When the Blues finish the six game roadie they are on, they will get their last “break… of the regular season, with three days in between the Pittsburgh and Columbus game, from that point on they are almost every other night with two minor variations.
Remaining for the Predators include seven at home and four on the road. The Predators remaining games include, Minnesota, Buffalo, Montreal, @ Tampa Bay, @ Washington, Calgary, Vancouver, Dallas, @ Colorado, Minnesota, @ Dallas. Four games against non-playoff teams (as of this writing.) The Predators have a three day break this week between the Minnesota and Buffalo games and another three day break in between the Vancouver and Dallas games in early April with no travel involved to infringe on the off time.
So, what does all this mean? It means that the Predators will have an opportunity to rest those dead legs a little and to get a little clean up time in practice. When looking at the schedules, the Predators have the “easier… schedule on paper. The teams that may have the biggest impact on the divisional race are Minnesota and Dallas as both St. Louis and Nashville have these opponents in common on their remaining schedule… especially the Wild as both the Blues and Preds play them twice.
The Predators are back in action tomorrow night at Bridgestone, tickets are scarce for the 7pm face off against the Wild.
------------------------------------------
Good seats remain for the SlapShot Radio Cook Off. Predators forward Eric Nystrom and I will be battling it out at The Chef and I in Lenox Village on Monday night, March 23rd. 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. There is VIP Seating available that includes a ring side seat for all the action!
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!
--------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Standings update after play on 3/15 – Anaheim is back on top of the conference with 95 points, Nashville trails by two points, tied with the St. Louis Blues who holds the tie-breaker in the division race. The Blues have two games in hand over Nashville.
- The Western Wild Card – Minnesota (69 games played) owns the first wild card slot with 83 points, Winnipeg (69) is in the second with 80 points. LA (68) trails the Jets by 1 point, San Jose (69) trails by 3 points.
- Two power play goals in two games? I‘ll take it… .500 road trip after a six game losing streak? I’ll take that too.
- No words…
- Speaking of the Pens… ummm Steve Downie seems to have lost his freakin’ mind! It’s well known the kind of game he plays, but yesterday he racked up 22 penalty minutes which included a 10 minute misconduct for pushing a linesman. Praise the Pens for getting rid of Matt Cooke, then they hire this one… Mario… heal thyself.
- LA is close to recalling Mike Richards from the AHL.
- University of Alabama Huntsville alum Cam Talbot is proving his detractors wrong as he continues to post great numbers for the Rangers filling in for the injured Henrik Lundqvist. He was named second star of the week in the NHL today.
- Four games in the NHL tonight – Capitals @ Sabres, Canadiens @ Lightning, Maple Leafs @ Oilers, Coyotes @ Kings.
--------------------------------------
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 next show is Wednesday March 25th … make sure to check out Eric Nystrom’s Show at Mason’s Bar in Loews Vanderbilt this Wednesday.
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!
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…
-------------------------------------
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.