Time for Sunday Shots as SlapShot Radio’s intrepid photographer was out capturing the color and the action of a Smashville Saturday Night
Photos courtesy of SlapShot Radio/Denise McCann Photography
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Is there a need to push the panic button after last night’s dumpster fire of a 6-2 loss to the New York Islanders? No. Is there cause for concern? Abso-freakin’-lutely. What should Pred Nation be concerned about? I have a couple of things.
First period efforts – This is an old song. This team has had a nasty habit of starting slow… they have had several games where they simply did not look good in the first period. Sloppy, disorganized and undisciplined play early in games have tested the Predators resilience. Some games they have recovered and gotten points (Friday against Chicago) and sometimes they have not, like last night.
Backup goaltending – It is becoming apparent that Juuse Saros may need to get some playing time in Milwaukee. Not laying it all at Saros’ feet, but his games so far have been uneven… he has been overplaying the puck and been less than optimal positionally. The play of the team in front of Saros has been off in his starts, but Saros needs to be better, and he knows it. Another back-to-back is coming this weekend and Saros needs to be better in his next start or the Predators may turn to Anders Lindback, who is 5-1 with a 2.34 GAA in Milwaukee so far this season.
Giveaways – Not just the number of giveaways… which has been plentiful… but the timing of the giveaways. This part of the Predators game has been horrendous, especially for a team that prizes puck possession. Last night’s 13 giveaways (and it felt like a LOT more) was a perfect example here as four of those giveaways directly led to goals.
An extra day between games this week before the Predators start a 3 games in four night stretch, all in California starting with San Jose on Wednesday night. There is some work that needs to be done here, but none of the things I have laid out are impossible to fix.
At the end of October, the Predators find themselves in playoff position… in a four way tie for second in the Central with 12 points. They survived one of the toughest parts of their schedule and now have a chance to hit the road and bond over a ten day roadie.
They need to take advantage of it.
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ICYMI, yesterday’s SlapShot Radio…
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Random Notes
- Filip Forsberg’s goal last night set a new franchise standard for goals in October… he now has 8 goals in 11 games. It took him 37 games to get to 8 goals last season.
- The Preds are managing the schedule of play for young Samuel Girard. Keep in mind that if the Preds play him in more than nine games, he burns a year of his entry level deal.
- Next home game for the Nashville Predators is Saturday November 11th… against Pittsburgh.
- An interesting bench minor called in last night’s game… apparently head coach Peter Laviolette was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct in a call that was unexplained from the official.
- KHL Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit club got back on the winning track yesterday with a 2-0 win over Dinamo Minsk, but Tolvanen was held off the scoresheet. Tolvanen has 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 24 games. He is in a 3 way tie for 4th in KHL goal scoring. Jokerit is back home tomorrow to take on Barys.
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SlapShot Radio has an exciting season in store for our tenth anniversary season. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day… the only local hockey show that does that.
We are on every Wednesday night at 7pm on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game. Our new co-hosts are ex-Preds Dan Keczmer and JP Dumont bringing a true insiders perspective to the show. This week we welcome Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek and we will also talk to LA Kings TV color man, Jim Fox, who will help get you ready for the Predator’s west coast road swing.
We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor
Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762, Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799, and TurfMasters… check out their great service at
TurfMasters.com.
We are also welcoming a new sponsor to the SlapShot Radio family… The Crag… Nashville’s premiere location for indoor rock climbing. Newton Dominey and his awesome crew have a great location in Cool Springs and they are opening a new location in South Nashville at the corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Nolensville Rd. Check out their website at
ILoveRockCLimbing.com If you’ve never done it before… you need to try, they specialize on helping first timers.
Advertisers… reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great preseason advertising deals available for our tenth season when you email me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1 … Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
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