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Divisional Game Night

November 7, 2018, 8:54 AM ET [6 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It’s a Rocky Mountain Game Night as the Nashville Predators begin a five game odyssey that takes them to four different states and three different time zones in a ten day period. Nashville hasn’t lost on the road yet, posting a 5-0-0 record so far, keeping that record intact will not be an easy thing… starting tonight in Denver.

The Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators meet for the first time since game six of their opening round playoff series back in April. Both teams have had a few days for some rest and recovery, Colorado last played on Friday, Nashville on Saturday. The Avalanche are led by the hottest, most productive line in hockey. Nathan MacKinnon (11g, 10a) Gabriel Landeskog (11g,7a) and Mikko Rantanen (5g,19a) … do the math… that is 63 points in 14 games. This will be the third game in a row that Nashville has been against a team that features a superstar line performing at its’ peak.

The Av’s will also be wearing their new third jersey tonight, as they will for all divisional games at the Pepsi Center this season. The team expects to have Semyon Varlamov in net. Colorado also may be expecting Tyson Jost to be available for tonight’s game. Jost was a participant in the Av’s last practice, although in a non-contact jersey.

The Nashville Predators list Dan Hamhuis and Viktor Arvidsson on IR. But even without these two key players, the Preds have continued to play well, winning their last three games and four of their last five. In net, Pekka Rinne has been other-worldly since his return from injury. His stats are simply outstanding right now… a .948 save percentage and a 1.63 GAA with a 5-1-0 record. Pair that with Juuse Saros’ 6-2-0 record with a .917 and 2.49… that’s a dynamic goaltending duo. No matter who is in net, the chance for victory is the same… and the future development of Saros will benefit.

Colorado got off to an outstanding start to the season but have recently come down to earth a bit. They are fighting through a three game losing streak after dropping a couple of western Canada contests. They are a dangerous team that plays with speed and Nashville cannot take this team lightly.

Game time is 9pm central time… the hockey block on 102.5 the Game will give you a three hour pregame tonight, starting off with Preds Insiders at 6pm. SlapShot Radio at 7pm takes you right up to Preds pregame at 8pm… so tune in early! Game coverage starts at 9pm on 102.5 the Game with the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber and Hal Gill. TV coverage tonight on NBCSN at 9pm.

Should be a good one so brew up the coffee.

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Random Notes

- Milwaukee Update – After a great start to the season, the Ad’s have come back down to earth a bit, losing three in a row, two of them in overtime. Eeli Tolvanen has stalled at 1g and 6a for the season, but observers are saying that he is getting his chances and they are bound to start falling.

- No real updates on Dan Hamhuis or Viktor Arvidsson although it appears that Arvy is closer to return.

- The disaster in Ottawa continues to grow. The Uber video is a bad, bad thing… but look at it this way… have YOU ever complained about a boss or co-worker? Why would a hockey player be any different?

- Scary places that now-former Chicago head coach could end up… Edmonton – the “Yikes” factor is high here… boatloads of talent on this team that has historically under performed. St. Louis – Q has been here before, another underperforming talented team… the big question… will Chicago allow him to go to a divisional rival? And of course… any other Western Conference team.

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