Game Night. In Nashville. In May. Whoda thunk it? The Nashville Predators will host their first May playoff game tonight at Bridgestone Arena.
Last year, Nashville’s first round loss was a mixed blessing. Because of the flooding in Music City last year, Bridgestone Arena was under a foot of water and there was no way it would’ve been available to host a series. Heavy rain over the past 36 hours have given an uncomfortable reminder to Nashvillians of last year. The other part of that mixed blessing is the lessons learned from their six game loss to the eventual Stanley Cup champions… lessons about finishing a playoff game, and finally having a bellyful of “woulda, coulda, shoulda.”
I believe that last point is the key to the Predators success this season. Since the players started filtering back into town last August, you heard them speak over and over about the loss to Chicago, how it was stuck in their minds, driving them in the off-season. Their “refuse to lose” mentality has shown itself quite a few times in this playoff season last Stu4rday night… game five of the Ducks series.
The Predators will have to marshal all of their learnings if they are to take this series over the President’s Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks. They did what they needed to do at Rodgers Arena, got the split. Now they need to maintain home ice with games 3 and 4. It will not be easy, nothing worthwhile ever is. Nashville and Vancouver have played six games against each other so far this season… they have split those six.
Game time is 8pm CDT tonight. Coverage on SportsSouth, Versus and CBC. We’ll be having a plaza party (weather permitting) starting at 5pm… I’ll also be with Greg Pogue on the roof at Rippy’s for the WNSR pregame… lots and lost of activity before tonight’s faceoff!
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Random Notes
- One of the big stories from yesterday’s practice came out of Vancouver’s session, Alex Burrows was put on the same line as the Sedins. They have shown chemistry before and it may be just what the doctor ordered to get the twins back on the scoring track.
- A big Nashville welcome to the swarm of media that has hit town from TSN, CBC, NHL Studios… We’re glad you came! Thanks to NHL On the Fly and Team 1040 in Vancouver for having me on last night.
- The goalie duel between Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo is being hyped like crazy. The kicker… they are living up to the hype.
- The Washington Capitals have to figure out how to beat a Tampa Bay Lightning team that is on a serious roll. Winners of five straight playoff games, including two in DC, Guy Boucher’s Lightning are poised to push a prohibitive Stanley Cup favorite to the edge in tonight’s game three.
- The Philadelphia Flyers wasted an excellent effort from James van Riemsdyk to drop their second straight to the Bruins… if the Flyers lose one more, they will have Boston right where they want them.
- Chills in Philly last night… Lauren Hart did a great job on “God Bless America”
- Congratulations to HBO’s 24/7 on winning a sports Emmy for Outstanding Edited Sports Special last night in New York. Mike Emrick took the Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-by-Play.
- Tonight’s playoff schedule – Washington @ Tampa Bay – Lightning lead 2-0, 5:30pm CDT (Versus, TSN), Vancouver @ Nashville – Series tied 1-1, 8pm CDT (Sports South, Versus, CBC)
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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…
Guest list for Wednesday is being finalized, we'll be coming at you live from Bridgestone Arena in the middle of the Predator's Open House. Expect some surprises!
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