The Nashville Predators end October at .500, and an improbable .500 at that as the month began with a two game win streak and ended with a three game win streak. Unfortunately for Pred Nation there was only a one win in between the seven other games.

At the beginning of the season, I wrote that the team needed to get off to a big start in order to compete for a playoff spot. Well, they dug a hole mid-month that they are climbing out of and the Preds enter November in a three way tie for second in the division and 10th in the conference and only four points behind Chicago for the division lead. They have survived injuries to major players like Jason Arnott and Jordin Tootoo, slow starts from David Legwand and Martin Erat, they have watched youngsters like Patric Hornqvist and Kevin Kline develop and grow and rookie Colin Wilson adapt to the NHL game.

November begins with four on the road and finishes with eight out of nine at home for another 13 game month. The schedule includes three games against the east (Montreal, New Jersey and Florida at home) and four critical games against Central division opponents, three of them at home against Columbus, Detroit and St. Louis during Thanksgiving week.

So, the Predators begin the month on a high note, their traditional CMA road trip awaits, Jason Arnott and Jordin Tootoo are recovering and should return to the lineup soon, Erat is listed as day-to-day, David Legwand is showing signs of getting his play on track… things are looking up in Pred Nation, but potholes await… the resurgent LA Kings, the always dangerous San Jose Sharks, a Thanksgiving eve trip to Denver for a match with surprising Avalanche.

The Predators are off for a few days before heading west… A bad start recovered from, now, can this team make a move to solidify contender status?

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Great pictures posted at HockeyBuzz Radio.com from last night at the Sommet Center. Both game shots and costume pictures from the crowd… make sure you tell your friends by using the refer a friend link on the site.

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COMING UP ON HOCKEYBUZZ RADIO…

November 4th – We’ll preview the upcoming west coast road trip with Pete Weber joining us from Anaheim. For the most updated guest information go to HockeyBuzz Radio's website

November 11th - On the NHL Hot Sheet we’ll talk to Steven Brunt, Toronto Globe and Mail hockey writer and author of “Gretzky's Tears: Hockey, America, and the Day Everything Changed “ … also, we’ll chat with former NHL head coach Ted Nolan, he’ll be talking about his history in the NHL and his involvement in the Western New York Hockey Expo happening on 11/14 and 15. More info on that event can be found at www.wnyhockeyexpo.com.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating during Pred home games in season with information and explanations from the PA box.

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