No one said it was going to be easy, but the streak is over. Actually, three streaks. The important one, the 6 game losing skid is done, thanks to a 2-1 overtime victory over the pesky Arizona Coyotes, who seemed to forget they were supposed to be overwhelmed in this game. The second streak… eleven games without scoring the first goal. That ended with Paul Gaustad’s 3rd of the year, picking up the garbage from Taylor Beck’s hard work in the high slot. A greasy goal… exactly what the doctor ordered.
Then came the “oh hell… moment… OK, I cleaned up the name a bit… but you know what I mean… the bad penalty at the wrong time. Almost five minutes into the third period, James Neal clipped Shane Doan with a high stick and was assessed a double minor. Less than two minutes later, Kyle Chipchurra redirected a John Moore pass over Pekka Rinne’s shoulder to tie the game.
And here we go again… a rookie goaltender, standing on his head, frustrating the heck out of a Predators team desperate for a win… Pred Nation has seen this movie way too often. But this team proved to be different and rewrote the ending.
The Predators hit the gas and kept firing the puck, pouring 12 shots on Arizona’s rookie netminder Louis Domingue, who was rock solid all night long… displaying great positioning and a calm manner between the pipes. The Coyotes may have their goalie of the future. The only reason the game got to overtime was Domingue.
To overtime they went and the Predators kept shooting like there was no tomorrow, outshooting the ‘Yotes 7-0 in the OT. The game winner? Well… that’s the third streak broken… James Neal’s nine game goal-less streak, banging home the rebound of a Seth Jones shot to win it halfway through the overtime period. Speaking of Seth Jones… he was a beast last night, especially on the game winning series.
So the losing streak is over, time to get on a roll in time for mid-April. Next up… the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The team is hanging in the desert today and most of tomorrow for a practice and some needed R & R.
Here are your highlights, from nhl.com
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VIP Tickets are now gone but there are plenty of good seats remaining 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 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 3/9 – Nashville is back on top of the NHL with 91 points, but they can’t get too comfortable as almost everyone chasing them has games in hand except Anaheim and the Islanders. Their lead in the Central is at 4 points over St. Louis and 7 points over Chicago. The Blues have three games in hand over Nashville, Chicago has two.
- The Western Wild Card – Minnesota (66 games played) owns the first wild card slot with 79 points, Winnipeg (66) is in the second with 78 points. LA (65) trails the Jets by 3 points, San Jose (67) trails by 4 points after their win last night.
- Who to root for tonight – The big game that Pred Nation will be watching is Winnipeg @ St. Louis. A Jets win in regulation certainly helps the Preds division title hopes.
- The battle for the East’s top spot has tightened considerable with six team within 5 points of the lead.
- “Flipping the switch… seems to be the phrase of the last month, first it was applied to the LA Kings during their February run, now it’s being applied to the Chicago Blackhawks.
- The Edmonton Oilers are the first team to clinch! Clinch their non-playoff position for the eighth straight year.
- Las Vegas is now over 8000 season ticket deposits for a potential team in Sin City in less than a month. The goal is 10,000 which looks to happen.
- Eight games in the NHL today – Rangers @ Islanders, Stars @ Flyers, Blue Jackets @ Hurricanes, Lightning @ Canadiens, Bruins @ Senators, Jets @ Blues, Devils @ Wild, Kings @ Avalanche.
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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… latest podcast is posted. This week’s guests include the director of the new documentary Red Army, Gabe Polsky… the movie opens in Nashville on March 20th at the Belcourt Theatre. We will have passes to giveaway for the movie. We will also be talking to the radio play-by-play man on the Miracle on Ice game, Curt Chaplin and we will be welcoming one of our favorite guests, Jeff Marek.
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…
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