The Nashville Predators begin a three game home stand tonight before heading off on their normal two week odyssey that happens every late October / early November with a showdown against the hated Chicago Blackhawks. Yeah… I know… it’s kinda hard to hate a team that is struggling at the bottom of the Central Division.
No… not really…
The Blackhawks are mired in a tie for the Central Division basement with the Minnesota Wild and finally seemed to have a breakout game against the Los Angeles Kings last Sunday night, snapping a three game losing streak as Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat each posted three points. This Chicago team has been playing better hockey and let’s face it, Chicago does still have some talent, but the contract situation is really hurting this team, aging stars that are taking an insane amount of cap space. $40 million dollars in cap space for five players and that doesn’t include the $11 million dollars tied up between the pipes.
Nashville comes into tonight’s game on a bit of a roll, points in four consecutive and riding a three game win streak… all while missing Filip Forsberg from the lineup, the last one included a missing Matt Duchene. Forsberg does appear to be closing in on a return date, he participated in his first practice yesterday, albeit in a non-contact jersey. No word on Matt Duchene’s status, but he was a full participant in practice.
The Preds offense continues to be dynamic, the overall team defense is showing signs of improvement and they are closing in on the division lead, just two points behind the Colorado Avalanche. The goaltending continues to be a team strength.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena, tonight is a fund-raiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a run-up to Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Saturday… there will be silent auction items available to benefit LLS and Chip Esten will be performing and taking pictures to help raise money and prmote this Friday’s “Light the Night” walk. If you can’t make it, tune in on Fox Sports Tennessee or 102.5 the Game.
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Random Notes – Presented by
- Another good sign for the potential return of Matt Duchene tonight, Anthony Richards was sent back to Milwaukee.
- Roman Josi is off to a torrid start to the year, his five goals and eight assists ties him for the team lead in points (with Ryan Ellis) and ties him for the team lead in goals (with Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg.)
- Full props to Calle Jarnkrok, he has made the most of his time in the top six.
- I love seeing the costumes that hockey players come up with to visit children’s hospitals around Halloween… for the Boston Bruins it was a Toy Story theme, and they were awesome!
- Shots Fired / Shots returned… When the NJ Devils went to Philly, Philly mascot Gritty took a shot a PK Subban with a sign saying “Lindsey Could do Better” with arrows pointing at himself. Lindsey Vaughn, SUbban’s girlfriend fired back on Instagram, with a picture of her with PK dressed as the Devils mascot. Her sign said “Gritty, you’re right… I CAN do better!”
- Two teams no one really expected to be so good went at it last night as the Arizona Coyotes beat the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout.
- Bad news in Blues land as Victor Tarasenko is out for five months with a shoulder injury.
- Tonight’s NHL schedule – 6pm – SJS @ BOS, WSH @ TOR, PHI @ PIT, CGY @ CAR. 6:30pm – TBL @ NYR (NBCSN,) EDM @ DET. 7pm – CHI @ NSH. 7:30pm – MIN @ DAL. 9pm – WPG @ ANA.
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SlapShot Radio is back for our 12th season as Zack, Brent and I will be moving the show to Monday night’s this year. The best hour of hockey talk on the longest running hockey show in the southeast will begin the season at 8pm and will settle into our normal 7pm slot after Thanksgiving… Monday’s on 102.5 the Game.
Our sponsor list continues to grow. Not only are we welcoming back
Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Mufreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group. And our newest sponsors…
Cool Springs Wines and Spirits! The largest spirit store in all of middle Tennessee! And La-Z-Boy Nashville! Three locations, locally owned and operated, check out La-Z-Boy in Mufreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!
The new season promises to be the best yet!
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