Predators scoreboard watch: home ice in the West is up for grabs

Tonight's NHL action features three games with implications for the Western Conference playoff picture, so keep an eye on the following:

Dallas @ Buffalo, 6:00 p.m. Central: The Stars are in danger of falling out of the race, 5 points behind 8th place Calgary but with a game in hand. Tonight's matchup is against a Buffalo Sabres team that boasts a 20-8-6 record on home ice.

Los Angeles @ Chicago, 7:30 p.m. Central: The Kings are in a tight battle with Phoenix for the #4 seed in the West and home-ice advantage in the first round, but will have to beat the high-flying Blackhawks to keep up the pace.

Vancouver @ Phoenix, 9:00 p.m. Central: The Canucks are trying to pull away from Colorado with the Northwest Division lead, having opened up a 4-point gap. The pesky Coyotes are 3rd in the NHL in home wins (24), however, and they're focused on staying ahead of the Kings.

The teams immediately above and below Nashville aren't playing tonight, but it would be nice to have Dallas eliminated by the time they come to play the Preds later this month (March 23rd at Bridgestone Arena).

Also, while you're watching tonight's games, check out this segment from yesterday's Thom Abraham Show, in which Thom & Charlie discuss the recent injury to Denis Grebeshkov:

Thom Abraham Show 20100309