“We have to be on our toes and play every game like it’s our last.”
That was the quote from Pekka Rinne yesterday before Nashville headed out to California… oh… and here’s another one…
"We have to play with a lot of desperation is these last 12 games."
And let the choir say… Amen!
Desperation… it seems to be something that has been missing from the Predators’ game recently and while it is fairly understandable, given that the Predators playoff chances have remained in the high 90% range for most of the season, but now… the playoff are so close you can almost smell ‘em. Now is the time to get your game together.
The last dozen begins tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. An Anaheim team that has been injury ravaged and out of playoff contention. A Ducks team that has seen a coaching change and controversy. A team that has gone 3-7-0 in their last ten, but has won three of their last five and seem to be relishing the role of spoiler.
These two teams don’t like each other… playoff experience has shown that. When Nashville and Anaheim get together you can expect lots of behind the play shenanigans. The watchword for Nashville will be discipline tonight as Anaheim loves to play “they can’t call ‘em all” hockey.
I am especially looking forward to the Ryan vs. Ryan matchup. The Kesler vs. Johansen feud has gone on for a few years, going back to the Western Conference final in 2017 when Johansen set up shop in Kesler’s head and has remained there ever since. It will be interesting to see if Kesler can control himself and to see if Johansen can drive him to distraction as he has done repeatedly.
This could be the kind of game to get the juices flowing for Nashville. A nice little grudge match to get this California swing started right and maybe get this team into desperation mode. Game time is 9pm CDT. Coverage begins at 8pm on 102.5 the Game and at 8:30pm on Fox Sport Tennessee.
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The
Where We Stand section
Nashville is in second place in the Central Division, one point behind the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds two games in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead St. Louis (2 GIH) by four points, Dallas by eight points and Minnesota by nine.
Nashville currently holds the 4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Impact Games Tonight – 6pm – DAL @ BUF. 7pm – ARI @ STL, SJS @ WPG.
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals are back in action is a matinee against Cleveland on Wednesday
- Reinforcements Coming? – Preds prospect Dante Fabbro is rumored to be signing as soon as BU’s season concludes. The Terriers have a best of three with UMass Lowell this weekend in the Hockey East tournament. Game one is Friday, game two is Saturday and game 3 (if necessary) is Sunday.
- Impressive – Fabbro finished the regular season with 30 points in 34 games with five of his seven goals on the power play.
- Don’t count your chickens though… – BU and UMass Lowell split their season series back in December, each team winning on the road.
- 110 in 70 – With their win last night, the Tampa Bay Lightning cracked 110 points in 70 games, becoming only the
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