The Predators are back home after getting the month of March started with a split. A loss in Winnipeg and a win in Minnesota… both games where the Predators played well and both games where the power play showed some signs of life. The Predators had meetings only yesterday however I do expect some heavy on ice practice over the next few days as Nashville doesn’t play again until Saturday night. A perfect stretch to do continue the tweaking that began last week.
With Winnipeg in Tampa tonight, running into the buzzsaw that is the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville should have an opportunity to gain a little ground… if they come out and play the game they have shown over the last two. It’s going to be important for this team to reclaim the home ice advantage that has been missing since the 7-1 drubbing of the defending Stanley Cup champs. The Preds are 5-5-1 at home since that game… not what you are looking for from this team. With seven home games left in the regular season, it is time to get their home mojo back.
Minnesota is playing in their third game in four nights. They had a really nasty back-to-back over the weekend, playing a late one in Calgary on Saturday, arriving back in Minnesota at 4am before losing to the Preds that night, then travelling yesterday. The Wild are in the middle of a five game in seven night stretch.
That being said, Minnesota showed no ill effects of the back-to-back on Sunday, so expecting an impact on their play is wrong-headed. This is a solid hockey team that is desperate to keep their slot in the Western Conference wild card race.
For Nashville, tonight is the home debut for Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund. These new guys in gold are making an immediate impact on this team, Granlund’s ice sense, Simmonds play in the slot… both elements that the Predators have needed this season. You see the effort and the intensity beginning to ramp up.
The playoff push is on… should be a good one tonight at Bridgestone Arena as we drop the puck on Ford Military Appreciation Week. Very limited tickets remain and if you can’t get to the arena, join Deanna Kay and Zack McCann at Buffalo Wild Wings in Hendersonville for a watch party!
See you tonight at the Bridge!
------------------------------------
ICYMI - Last night’s SlapShot Radio
------------------------------------
The
Where We Stand section
Nashville holds the second spot in the Central Division trailing the Winnipeg Jets by a single point, Winnipeg holds three games in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead St. Louis (3 GIH) by seven points, Dallas and Minnesota by 10 points, Arizona by 12.
Nashville currently holds the 4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Impact Games Tonight – 6:30pm – WPG @ TBL. 7:30pm – NYR @ DAL. 8pm – DRW @ COL, ANA @ ARI.
-------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals are finally back home for three this week, tonight vs. Texas, Friday vs. Chicago and Saturday vs. Grand Rapids.
- Games Played – Nashville still leads the league in games played with 68… that should even out after this week as the Preds are off until Saturday after tonight’s game.
- Injuries – No updates on Brian Boyle yet, he was scratched from Sunday night’s game with what was termed a “lower body injury”
- Playoffs? – Checking SportsClubStats.com… the Preds playoff chances are at 99.6%... Their most likely division finish in the in 2 slot (53% chance) … their most likely first round opponent? The St. Louis Blues (52.4% chance) … next most likely, Dallas (21.7%)
-----------------------------------
-------------------------------------
SlapShot Radio’s 11th season is on! 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. We are on every Wednesday at 7pm, except this week when we are on Tonight at 7pm. Mike Greenlay from the Minnesota Wild broadcast team joins us.
We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives awareness and results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor
Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and Patrick J. Brown’s Farmer Insurance Agency in Mt. Juliet… I switched to them a few years back and their service has been incredible! Give Pat and his team a call at 615-288-2086.
Advertisers… Playoff specials are here! Reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great stretch run advertising deals available combining radio with advertising right here on my blog. It is a great, cost-effective, high-visibility way to build awareness of your business. You can send me a message on the SlapShot Radio Facebook page or by messaging me right here on HockeyBuzz.
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
link.
If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at
The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at
on SoundCloud.
-------------------------------------
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:
»