The Nashville Predators welcome central division foe Dallas to Bridgestone Arena tonight, two teams with similar records in their past ten games… the Stars are 7-2-1 for 15 points and the Predators are 7-1-2 for 16 points. Dallas is trying desperately to get back into the playoff mix and get a welcome return with Shawn Horcoff expected to return to the Stars lineup. Dallas comes into tonight’s game five points out of the wild card with a game in hand on both teams they are chasing.
Nashville on the other hand, is in serious contention for the franchise’s first ever Central Division title with a 2 point lead on Chicago and a game in hand over Chicago. You can even call them a contender for the President’s Trophy as they are only two points back of current leader Anaheim and tied with Tampa… their advantage is three games in hand over both teams.
The Predators have won both games in the five game series so far. The teams play twice in the last week of the regular season, which will be critical to Dallas’ playoff chances. Nashville continues to gather points, even though they are not playing their best hockey in complete games. They continue to show a resiliency that has covered for poor starts or giving up leads. They also continue a home dominance with a 14-2-1 mark that is the best in the league.
The injury situation is fairly static for both teams… Matt Cullen and Taylor Beck remain on IR, however Beck has resumed skating with the team. James Neal is listed as day-to-day and has missed the last three games. Dallas lists Patrick Eaves and Patrik Nemeth on IR. Expect Pekka Rinne in net for the Preds, Kari Lehtonen for the Stars.
Game time is 7pm, very limited tickets are available at the Bridgestone Arena box office. Coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee gets going with pregame at 6:30.
And here is your preview from nhl.com;
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Random Notes
- The Preds defense is on a scoring tear right now… Roman Josi is on fire right now, seven points in the last six games, as is Ryan Ellis… five points in the last three games. Shea Weber? Oh… ho-hum, he’s posted 11 in the past 12.
- Filip Forsberg broke the franchise rookie scoring record on Tuesday night, 38 points in 39 games. He will easily set the franchise standard for goals and assists as well.
- We are at mid-season right now and the rash of “who should win end of season awards… articles are starting. Pekka Rinne getting lots of love for the Vezina and the Hart… Forsberg as Calder.
- Stretches of three games in four nights don’t seem to faze this Nashville team. They have had three over the past three weeks posting a record of 6-1-2 in those games, taking 14 of a possible 18 points. The team has another three-in-four at the end of January (COL, @STL, @COL) two more in February and three in March.
- Wishing nothing but good things for new Leafs interim head coach Peter Horachek. The former Nashville assistant is a good coach and an even better person… the best part may be his reactions to some of the stupid questions the Toronto media asks. The internal monologue will be simply awesome!
- The defense of the Toronto columnist question to Phil Kessel is hysterical. As writers let’s make sure we make ourselves the story instead of the sport you are covering…
- Sheesh… where did the New York Rangers come from? Solid win over Anaheim last night.
- Good for Minnesota coach Mike Yeo... that was a rant that needed to happen. It may be the last act of a desperate coach to wake his team up...
- Ten games on the NHL schedule tonight –Devils @ Bruins, Capitals @ Flyers, Sabres @ Hurricanes, Sharks @ Blues, Stars @ Predators, Blackhawks @ Wild, Senators @ Avalanche, Jets @ Coyotes, Panthers@ Canucks, Rangers @ Kings.
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