The Nashville Predators continue to look for answers in the struggle to return to playoff position. A new head coach in John Hynes but some old habits are really seeming to die hard. Some old habits… and a new habit… struggling on home ice.
Adam Vingan’s piece in The Athletic called it out and the player quotes were both heartening and disturbing… and a look into the fragility of the athlete’s confidence. The heartening part is that they are aware, that they do discuss it. The disturbing part was the “oh no here we go again” thing that came out.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, resiliency has been a key to this team’s success over the past 10 years, the ability to bounce back, the unshakable belief that, no matter what, a comeback was possible. Hell… I remember complaining about it… wins after slow starts… now, I would take a little more of it. I sure don’t know how to rebuild mental toughness… Pred Nation is hoping that new coach John Hynes knows how.
Tonight, Nashville heads into the bye week and All-Star break by playing the Buffalo Sabres. A team that has given the Preds fits at 501 Broadway over the past few seasons, and now… they are a much better team. The Sabres roll into town after a win in Dallas on Thursday night, their third consecutive win. Buffalo is led by Jack Eichel, who is coming into his own this season with 62 points so far, he has been a dominant force for the Sabres.
Tonight is a Winter Classic White Out game as the Preds will wear their Winter Classic jerseys for the first time on the ice in Smashville. Game time is 7pm… coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee.
See you tonight!
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The Where They Stand thread is back
Heading into tonight’s action, the Nashville Predators stand 6th in the Central Division with 49 points in 46 games. They are six points behind the last wild card slot holder with 2 games in hand. They trail third place Dallas in the Central by 9 points.
According to SportsClubStats.com, the Predators have a 42.3% chance of making the playoffs. The playoff line for points seems to be 94 at this point as that point total gives you a 95% chance of making the playoffs. The Predators will need to gather 45 points in their last 36 games to make that mark, meaning they need to gather points on a 4 out of every six rate.
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Random Notes – Presented by
- Coach John Hynes said that the team set a goal of getting at least six out of ten possible points in the five games leading up to the break, a win tonight achieves that goal and would send the team into the bye week in a better frame of mind.
- Hope no one gets hurt in pregame tonight… the Predators are at the 20 man roster minimum after sending Yakov Trenin, Alexandre Carrier, and Jared Tinordi back to Milwaukee. Assuming the send downs were to allow them to continue play in the AHL during the next week while the Preds are idle.
- Still shocked at the firing of Gerard Gallant in Vegas… a victim of his own success maybe? Take a team to the Cup final in your first year and your have set some serious expectations… take an expansion team to the final? They are even higher.
- Today's games – Noon - WSH @ NYI. 2pm - STL @ COL. 3pm - CGY @ OTT. 6pm – CHI @ TOR, VGK @ MTL, FLA @ DET, LAK @ PHI, NJD @ CBJ. 7pm – BUF @ NSH. 8pm - DAL @ MIN. 9pm - SJS @ VAN.
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SlapShot Radio is back for our 12th season as Zack, Brent and I are now on Monday night’s this season. The best hour of hockey talk on the longest running hockey show in the southeast … 7pm Mondays 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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