It’s a critical game night in Smashville tonight as the Nashville Predators try to tie their Western Conference Semi-Final series with the Vancouver Canucks at two. The only game of the day, the focus of the NHL will be on Music City tonight.
The big story in today’s game has to do with the injury to Steve Sullivan. He has already be declared out for tonight’s game four so the debate has been joined… who gets in to replace him? Will it be the wily veteran or the youngster itching to get back on the ice? Let’s make the case for who should be in the lineup tonight…
JP Dumont – The former first round draft pick of the New York Islanders is in his 12th NHL season, Dumont is in his fifth season with Nashville. His productivity has dropped dramatically after his 72 point campaign in ’07-’08… his scoring stats this season were the lowest since his second year in the league with the Chicago Blackhawks. Dumont has played in 50 NHL Playoff games, 19 of them with the Predators. He has great hands and can score, but frankly has struggled since taking a nasty hit from Alexander Burrows in December of 2008 and truly hasn’t been the same player since. Filling in for Martin Erat in the series against the Ducks, he played well and got an assist for his efforts. If Barry Trotz wants to go with another veteran, like he did in the Ducks series, expect to see 71 in the lineup.
Colin Wilson – Nashville’s first round pick in the 2008 entry draft, Wilson played two years at Boston University as a more than point per game center. Wilson spent his first year between Nashville and Milwaukee; however he has been with the big team all this season. Showing inconsistent performance throughout the regular season, Wilson has spent the playoffs cooling his heels on the healthy scratch list. Comments from the coaches indicate they want his to work harder, make better decisions on the ice... not exactly unexpected feedback for a second year player. Wilson was initially not very happy with his benching, who would be? However, it took him a few days to process the information and get his mind right. That appears to have happened and he is chomping at the bit to get back in the lineup. Wilson has all the tools to be a very good power forward in this league, he can be very hard on the puck, skates well and has excellent hands... which is all part of the frustration with his performance this season. If Coach Trotz wants to take advantage of that pent-up energy in Wilson, he will pencil 33 into the lineup tonight.
UPDATE - per Josh Cooper over at the Tennessean, Colin Wilson will be in the lineup tonight... going with youth!
Game time is 7:30pm at the Bridge… Plaza Party (hosted by yours truly) begins at 4:30pm, live music, good food, cold beer and a car to smash… what better way to get ready for game 4? Alsop, I will be joining Crazy Charlie Saunier for the WNSR Pre-Game Show at Rippy’s at 6pm.
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Random Notes
- As we discussed on last night’s SlapShot Radio, Predators prospect Craig Smith is playing with Team USA in the IIHF Worlds. He’s showing some very good stuff, leading the team in scoring. The University of Wisconsin Badger will be at conditioning camp this summer.
- The Predators get some love from Sports Illustrated this week as part of a cover feature they are calling Tennessee Two-Step… also recognizing the Grizzlies success as well.
- What a flame out for the Washington Capitals… and so much for Alex Ovechkin’s Joe Namath impersonation. Congrats to the Lightning on sweeping the Caps.
- Fire Bruce Boudreau??? Really??? I’ll never say never, but to this observer, that shouldn’t even be on the table.
- The Flyers have the Bruins right where they want them…
- The Sharks have the Red Wings on the brink with their huge OT win last night. Detroit’s in a 3-0 hole and I don’t think they have a snowballs chance of crawling out of it.
- One sweep complete, two more potential sweeps could occur tomorrow night.
- Tonight’s playoff schedule – Vancouver @ Nashville – Canucks lead 2-1, 7:30pm CDT (Versus, CBC)
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From Tuesday’s game…
Original In Arena Fan and Game Shots
The Party on Plaza
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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…
Thanks to Eklund and Julie Robenhymer for appearing on SlapShot Radio last night.
You can get check out our podcasts at
the SlapShot Radio podcast page.
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