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Four points out of 3rd.

March 11, 2020, 4:41 PM ET [4 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Well now things are getting interesting. The Nashville Predators posted a solid 4-2 over Montreal last night on the strength of Filip Forsberg’s two goals and another excellent performance from Juuse Saros in net. It’s the Preds third straight win and makes the Central Division playoff race a lot more intriguing as Dallas dropped a 4-2 decision to the New York Rangers. That draws the Predators and Jets within four of the third slot in the Central with Minnesota lurking one point behind Nashville and Winnipeg.

The Predators started strong last night, pressuring the Montreal defense and making Carey Price earn his scoreless first period. That work paid off with a four goal second period as Ryan Johansen got the scoring started less than a minute in, Calle Jarnkrok scored two minutes later, then Forsberg posted his 20th of the year on the power play at 8:18, and got number 21 a little less than eight minutes later.

For all intents and purposes, that did it for the game. Oh sure, the Habs put on a push, got a lucky bounce to break Saros’ shutout streak and followed up with a nice play to halve the lead… but the Preds locked down and came away with the win

So now, the team heads to Toronto for what is sure to be a very interesting matchup with the Leafs, who are coming off of a big win over Tampa Bay last night. The Maple Leafs have been an enigma this season… lots of high powered talent that isn’t delivering. A coaching change… and a pitched battle to solidify their playoff positioning. They went 0 for California last week, only salvaging a single point in a shootout loss to LA… and they have a trip to Boston looming on the weekend.

There was plenty to like about last night’s win, not only defensively or between the pipes… the continued performance of the top six with goals from Johansen and Forsberg and the continuing improvement of Nashville’s special teams.

The roadie continues…

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Where They Stand – a daily look at where the Predators are in the playoff race.
As play opens on 3/11/2020, the Nashville Predators are in the first Wild Card slot in the conference. They are tied in points with Vancouver and Winnipeg, but have played one less game than the Jets and have one more regulation win that the Canucks. They trail Dallas by only four points for third in the Central.

Impact games tonight – WPG @ EDM, NYR @ COL.

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Random Notes – Presented by

- Saturday night could be really weird… The Preds / Jackets game will be played in an empty arena… no fans allowed due to Ohio’s ban on large gatherings.

- Great pregame last night as the Habs honored Henri Richard… the “Pockey Rocket” passed earlier this week.

- Juuse Saros is 12-5-0 in his last 17 starts.

- Don’t forget… the annual Predators Foundation Gala is next Tuesday… Preds and Threads is back with a fashion show and lots of cool stuff to bid on. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to tornado relief efforts across Middle Tennessee.

- Tonight’s games – 7pm – SJS @ CHI. 8pm – WPG @ EDM. 9pm – NYR @ COL, STL @ ANA. 9:30pm – OTT @ LAK.

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SlapShot Radio is back for our 12th season as Zack, Brent and I are on Monday night’s this season. The best hour of hockey talk on the longest running hockey show in the southeast … Join us Mondays at 7pm on 102.5 the Game.

Our sponsor list continues to grow. Not only are we welcoming back Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Murfreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group. And our newest sponsors… Cool Springs Wines and Spirits! The largest spirit store in all of middle Tennessee! And La-Z-Boy Nashville! Three locations, locally owned and operated, check out La-Z-Boy in Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!

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