It’s Game Night in Smashville as the Nashville Predators host the suddenly resurgent Minnesota Wild tonight at Bridgestone Arena. The Wild have won two straight, a grind it out win over Montreal and a shutout of the Edmonton Oilers.
That isn’t a typo… you do wonder if the key to the Wild right now is goaltender Alex Staylock. He took over in relief of Devan Dubnyk against the Oilers, completing the shutout when Dubnyk left the game with an injury. Dubnyk is out for tonight’s game and the Wild have recalled Kappo Kahkonen from Iowa. Staylock has posted some pretty impressive numbers this season so far… he has 4 appearances and a 1-1 record posting a 1.84 GAA and a Save % of .942, well ahead of Dubnyk.
For Nashville, the Predators are coming off one of their best performances of the season… yikes… last time I wrote that was after the Vegas game heading into the LA game. Pred Nation is hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself. The Preds took down Minnesota in the season opener 5-2.
I would expect Pekka Rinne in net tonight for the Predators, he does have an excellent record against this team including four shutouts, but we will find out more at morning skate.
No word on Filip Forsberg as well, he has missed three games since going down in the Vegas game with a lower body injury. That being said, you have to love the game being shown by Kyle Turris, he is performing no matter where he gets slotted in the lineup and has been consistent so far through the first nine games of the season.
The questions on the blueline are still there… the issues with the third d-pair are improving, but you do wonder if there is a move that needs to be made there.
Game time for tonight’s Central Division showdown is 7pm at 501 Broadway. We will see what Pred team shows up… coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee.
See you at the Bridge!
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Random Notes – Presented by
- The Predators won’t see the Wild again until they head to St. Paul on March 3, 2020.
- The Predators have scored 38 goals so far this season… a franchise record through nine games.
- Why is the offense clicking? You can look at the possession numbers, starting with a 53.1% face off win percentage.
- Ryan Ellis has a five game point streak going and currently the 2nd most among NHL defensemen.
- The Lightning looked really good last night in beating the Pens.
- Prep for the Tim Horton’s Heritage Classic a proceeding. Should be a fun one outside on Saturday night between the Flames and Jets. It will be a 9pm puck drop at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan
- Av’s star Mikko Rantanen is classified as “week-to-week” with a lower body injury. Bad news for the Avalanche.
- Tonight’s NHL schedule – 6pm – SJS @ MTL, ARI @ NYI, BUF @ NYR, CAR @ CBJ. 7pm – LAK @ STL, MIN @ NSH. 7:30pm – PHI @ CHI, ANA @ DAL. 8pm – FLA @ CGY, WSH @ EDM.
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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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