That makes two. The Predators have followed up a ten game series of inspired hockey with two poor performances that saw the team be outscored 10-2 and generate the first back-to-back regulation losses since early November.

No time for wound licking as the Ottawa Senators are in town for a pre-Christmas tilt at the Bridge tonight. It is the same situation as last Saturday night as the Preds are coming into the second game of a back-to-back while their opponent ware waiting for them to arrive as Ottawa has been in town since Wednesday morning.

Ottawa has been struggling a bit, going 3-4-3 in their last ten. They are healthy, with an empty injured reserve list. The Preds still list Legwand and Lombardi.

Expect to see Pekka Rinne in net for the Predators, returning from his knee injury. Some tickets remain for tonight, but they have been moving. Puck drop is at 7pm, coverage on FS Tennessee and 102.9 the Buzz.

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I am very proud to announce that SlapShot Radio goes international... at least for this weekend...

SlapShot Radio has been picked up by Sirius/XM Satellite Radio's NHL Home Ice Channel as part of their Christmas programming rotation... A hockey radio show, originating from Nashville, on Sirius/XM, who would imagine?

The channel is airing our "Salute to Slap Shot" show from November, featuring the author of "The Making of Slap Shot" Jonathon Jackson, Steve "Hanson" Carlson, and actor Jerry Houser aka Dave "Killer" Carlson. We are very excited to get this kind of wide hockey audience for our show.

The show will air at the following times on Sirius Channel 208, XM Channel 204...

Friday 12/24 - 3pm Eastern / 2pm Central
Saturday 12/25 - 6am Eastern / 5am Central
Saturday 12/25 - 11pm Eastern / 10pm Central
Sunday 12/26 - 2pm Eastern / 1pm Central

If you haven’t checked out the show… tune in!

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Random Notes

- Costly win for the Red Wings last night as Pavel Datsyuk breaks his hand in the game.

- The Winter Classic hype machine is in full effect, the ice truck has arrived in Pittsburgh, and the NHL has announced the musical acts for the event. The anthems will be sung by Jackie Evancho (10 yr old from America’s Got Talent) and Juno award winner Steven Page (of Barenaked Ladies fame). Pre-game features Hinder and the first intermission band is Pittsburgh’s own The Clarks.

- Light schedule last night… huge schedule tonight… thirteen games including Pittsburgh and Washington’s pre-Winter Classic tilt in Washington.

- It was good to see Patric Hornqvist get back in the lineup last night, his team leading ten shots, five on net, were sorely needed.

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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, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

The podcast for last night’s show is posted featuring HNIC’s Jeff Marek, WGN 720’s Judd Sirott and Pred’s goaltending coach Mitch Korn.

For the most updated guest information go to the SlapShot Radio website.

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