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When things go bad, they seem to go bad in a hurry.
The Nashville Predators, after a nice five game win streak, have followed up with a nasty four game losing streak. After looking like they may be getting healthy, another spate of injuries… and now, team sparkplug Jordin Tootoo has entered the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program and will be out for an indefinite period of time. I won’t speculate on why, I will simply wish him a speedy recovery and send good thoughts his way.
When it rains, it pours.
The season must go on and the Predators find themselves in one of the most difficult places I can recall seeing them in their twelve year history. Going into tonight’s game the Predators have lost 102 man-games to injury in the first 35 games of the season, putting them on pace to lose an astounding 239 man-games. That number will continue to climb as Steve Sullivan and Martin Erat join Matthew Lombardi and David Legwand on Injured Reserve. Legwand is the closest to returning to the lineup, Coach Barry Trotz calls him “possible” for tonight’s game. That is the only good news on the injury front... and the Preds need him.
The Dallas Stars are one of the surprise stories in the league so far this season. They have played consistently well and are leading the loaded Pacific Division. They are looking to reverse a losing streak of their own, having dropped their last two games. The Satrs have no one on IR, but list Niklas Grossman and Tom Wandell as questionable for tonight’s tilt.
To cover the loss of Sullivan and Erat, Linus Klausen was brought up from the Ad’s. Before the Tootoo news broke the Predators announced the signing of Chris Mueller to a two-way NHL contract. Mueller has been playing well in Milwaukee, second in goals and points for the Admirals so far this year. He was a non-drafted free agent from West Seneca, NY.
The big question for tonight is “how do the Predators respond?” This is a team and a franchise that prides itself on its’ resiliency, that gets a big test starting tonight. Line combinations are certainly written in sand, but expect the following, at least to start the game…
No local television tonight, game coverage on 102.9 the Buzz. Given the scarcity of home games in late december and all of January, weekday sellouts are becoming a regular thing, some tickets remain for tonight, but I do expect a brisk walk up. Don’t forget to join Greg Pogue and I from the roof at Rippy’s for the WNSR Pre-Game Show at 6pm.
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Random Notes
- Big thanks to Joe Thistle and the gang at NHL Home Ice for airing SlapShot Radio over Christmas.
- New Predator Chris Mueller will wear number 53.
- Congrats to Chris Osgood on his 400th win last night.
- A rain out in Pittsburgh? The Winter Classic is at risk given an unusually warm and rainy forecast for New Year’s Day in the Steel Coty.
-Good article on Preds prospect Ryan Ellis in the WJC’s on NHL.com… he is the captain of Team Canada, you may want to look up the goal he scored in Canada’s opener against Russia on Saturday. Simply a heads-up hockey play that his coach calls "elite."
- Team USA is back in action today at 7pm CST. The Americans take on Slovakia. Team Canada has a game with the Czech Republic at 3pm CST. Both games will be on the NHL Network.
- First Thrash gets arrested… now Stanley C. Panther is confined to a wheelchair?” Oh, those crazy Southeast Division teams and their mascots…
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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…
No show this week due to broadcast conflicts… next show is January 5th.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
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