The Nashville Predators dropped a decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, and it would be easy to be frustrated at the result. But not for the reason you may be thinking. My frustration comes from the feeling that Nashville deserved so much better than they got.
Nashville outplayed Tampa for long stretches last night, out shooting and out hustling a Tampa team that on paper, is light year’s ahead of Nashville in talent and health. But, as head coach John Hynes put it in his post-game presser, they played “lots to their identity.” The game got nastier as it went on, setting up an interesting rematch Tuesday night.
Full marks to Bolts goaltender Andrei Vasilexskiy, he stole that game for his team.
No time for licking wounds with another crucial game tonight in Smashville as the Dallas Stars come to town. The Stars closed the gap a bit yesterday with a win over Florida in the Lone Star State yesterday. Dallas trails the Preds by five points going into tonight.
Expect Juuse Saros in net tonight for the Preds where the Stars may go with Jake Oettinger as Anton Khudobin started yesterday in Dallas.
The injury news remains the same… at least at this writing. Ryan Ellis’ return was a bright spot for Nashville last night and he didn’t show much rust at all.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena.
--------------------------------------
Random Notes – Presented by
-
Where We Stand - A daily playoff update. As play opens today the Predators own 4th place in the Central leading Chicago by 2 points. Nashville leads Dallas by 5 points and Columbus by 8. Dallas still has 3 games in hand. The Preds trail Florida by 11 points, Tampa and Carolina by 13 points for higher playoff positioning.
-
The Return of Ellis - Ryan Ellis made a surprise return to the lineup last night after missing 20 games. He posted almost 20 minutes of ice time.
-
-
-
Smashville Held Hostage - Game 43 – Cord cutters still have no legal way to watch the Predators and Sinclair dithers while watching the value of their properties burn. Time for this corporate behemoth to dive into the 21st century and figure out where their audience is… before they lose them. Reason has to break out sometime… doesn’t it?
--------------------------------------
SlapShot Radio is on… every Wednesday night at 7pm on 102.5 the Game.
Our sponsors are fantastic, you need to check them out…
Dr. 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.
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!
Season 13 is shaping up to be the best ever, so get in on the action… reach out to me for awesome new advertising packages.
---------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information,
click here.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»