The Nashville Predators return to practice today after shaking off the jet lag of a Western Canada roadtrip that saw the team go 2-1-1. Not the most surprising record, but how it happened… well, in typical Predator fashion they won the two outside of Alberta and dropped a couple to arguably the worst teams in the west. Go figure…
In my preview blog for the game in Winnipeg I said;
With only five games remaining until the Olympic break, Nashville needs to start a run… now… not tomorrow… not Friday night… tonight.
Unfortunately there are at least another 25 parts to go.
Let’s set up the task in front of this team. Heading into the last four games before the Olympic break, the Predators have 56 points with 27 games to go. Consulting my favorite website beginning this time of year, Sports Club Stats, the Nashville Predators have a 2.7% chance of making the playoffs. That number has actually tripled over the past week and a half, but it is still incredibly slim.
The line to make the playoffs in the Western Conference this year seems to be 95 points (94.4% chance of making the playoffs.) Simple math says the team needs 39 points in 27 games, the team needs a point and a half per remaining game to achieve that, actually, 1.44444 per game to be exact. That is a daunting task. Daunting but not impossible. The key to this is the next four games. New Jersey, @ St. Louis, @ Minnesota and Anaheim. Two on the road and two at home. Take six out of eight and the team is well positioned. Factor in the possibility of a… dare I say it… Pekka Rinne return after the Olympics and the stage is set for a potentially epic, uniquely Nashville finish to the season.
Impossible scenario? Maybe… Improbable? Perhaps… But, for those who think that I am being impossibly positive or simply parroting the “company line… about this… consider the following fact…
The Predators have definitely stepped up their game, gaining points in six of their last eight games, capturing 11 out of sixteen possible points, a clip of 1.45 points per game. Continuing that pace would get the Predators to 95 points by season’s end.
Difficult? Absolutely… but certainly not impossible… Keep the faith Pred Nation. We could be in for a very exciting ride…
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Random Notes
- On last night's SlapShot Radio, we had an interesting discussion on the potential for a Stadium Series game in Nashville as mentioned by Glenn Healy on Hockey Night in Canada, who said that Nashville would be a great location.
- A stadium series game in Nashville would be awesome… especially if the right location is selected. My belief is that Dudley Field at Vanderbilt is the place. About 40k seating capacity and a more intimate environment for an outdoor game. Bring Detroit, Chicago or St. Louis in and you would have a loud and crazy place for an outdoor game among rivals.
- TSN is reporting that there will likely be four outdoor games scheduled for the 2014-15 season.
- In an interview with section303.com, Predators GM David Poile was quoted as saying that the Predators “still need a little tinkering to our lineup.… Move made for goalie? Check… Defense? Check… Forward??? Stay tuned…
- Martin Brodeur is stating that he would be open to a trade if it is “a better situation… for the future hall-of-famer.
- Hmmm… Imagine my surprise… the name sponsor of the NHL’s Coors Light Stadium series wants a game in the Rockies… at Coors Field of course… color me shocked, shocked I tell you! :-)
- Ten games tonight – 6pm starts – Canadiens @ Bruins, Panthers @ Maple Leafs, Capitals @ Blue Jackets. 6:30pm start – Lightning @ Senators. 7:30pm start – Devils @ Stars. 8pm starts – Wild @ Avalanche, Sharks @ Flames, Sabres @ Coyotes. 9pm start – Flyers @ Ducks. 9:30pm start – Penguins @ Kings.
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