A couple of close ones as last night dropped the puck on the second round… normality (or what may pass for it) looks like it is being restored as both home teams won, Boston in OT and St. Louis in regulation, both by 3-2 final scores.
The rest of the second round begins tonight. So, let’s take a look at the series that begin tonight…
NY Islanders vs. Carolina - It’s another “rest vs. rust” scenario as the New York Islanders have not played since April 16 and the Hurricanes are jumping right back in. I have to admit, I really wanted a Barry Trotz vs. Capitals storyline here but the Bunch of Jerks screwed that one up! :-) But seriously… I see this series as a toss up. One major factor will be home ice… can the Islander’s faithful recreate the craziness from round one at sterile Barclay’s Center? We know that Carolina will be off the hook… and that could be a difference maker. These teams are evenly matched, but I think the X Factor is in net, and if that is so, then I trust the guidance of “the goalie whisperer” Mitch Korn in NY and the experience of Barry Trotz behind the bench. Islanders in seven.
San Jose vs. Colorado - The wounded Sharks vs. the one line wonder in Colorado. It’s what it all boils down to. Both teams have issues locking it down defensively, both teams have goaltenders that can be awesome or awful and both teams can struggle scoring goals. San Jose’s miracle comeback in the Vegas series could really propel them to great things where this version of the Avalanche is new to this level of playoff intensity. I have never been a big Sharks fan however, it wouldn’t bother me to see Jumbo Joe get a ring… sentimental choice here… Sharks in six.
So there you have my picks for the second round… enjoy it!
-----------------------------------
The
Playoff Status section
Second Round
The Eastern Conference
(2) Boston vs. (WC2) Columbus – BOS leads 1 – Game 2 – Tomorrow – 7pm - NBC
(2) NY Islanders vs. (WC1) Carolina – Game 1 – Tonight - 6pm - NBCSN
The Western Conference
(2) San Jose vs. (WC2) Colorado – Game 1 – Tonight - 9pm - NBCSN
(3) St. Louis vs. (WC1) Dallas – STL leads 1-0 – Tomorrow – 3pm – NBC
-------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals are now down 2-1 in their best-of-5 playoff series with Iowa after last night’s 3-1 win over the Wild. Milwaukee got goals from Colin Blackwell, Anthony Richard and Mathieu Olivier. Game Four is tonight at UM-Panther Arena.
- Meetings – During the swirl of activity of the NFL Draft in downtown Nashville yesterday, player meeting were quietly held. No information has come out yet.
- Search for Answers – The same search for answers is going on Winnipeg as well, read the articles in the Winnipeg press… you could substitute the words Nashville Predators in the entirety of the coverage of their exit and be reading the same articles and quotes.
- Babcock on the hot seat – The Toronto media is going nuts (surprise, surprise) about Mike Babcock and his position with the Maple Leafs, especially after Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was non-committal on his future with the team… watch this one… dram is building.
----------------------------------
-------------------------------------
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 the NHL Entry Draft. Our next show is Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game.
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. And of course… don’t forget our good friend Carter Church! Your Mufreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group.
Advertisers… We are finishing the season in style and our end of season specials are just getting going… while other local hockey shows are shutting it down, we continue our coverage all the way through the end of the playoffs! 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:
»