The Predators will be playing three games a week from now to the end of the season. They will fall into a routine of games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. An occasional Monday, Sunday and Friday night games spread out thru the rest of the season.  The nice thing about their schedule is the analysis can be done of the next three games on Monday.   The games this week are tonight the Oilers, February 9th Red Wings and February 12th Avalanche.

Tonight games has been highlighted with the pic of Admiral Akbar's "Its A TRAP!" and that is so true.  But just like the rebel alliance found away to beat the empire, the Preds will have to find a way to win tonight. They will have to put the emotional high of winning Saturday night and the anticipated rematch on Wednesday behind them. Get their focus on beating the last place team in the conference.  Teams that win their division win games like this one tonight. Point blank the Predators are better than the Oilers and this is a team they should beat.

Wednesday night in Motown the rematch will take place.  A chance to gain two more points on the Red Wings. A plus for the Predators is this game is sandwiched in between two original six games( Rangers tonight, at Boston on Friday) maybe, just maybe they might be able to steal this one in Detroit.

Saturday night the Colorado Avalanche come to Smashville. It is anticipated it will be the return of Peter Forsberg to the ice.  Unless Forsberg is going to help them in stopping goals allowed(second to last in the conference at 172) I don't see how his return is going to help them.   The Avalanche are in tenth place in the conference despite being fourth in goals scored.  Thanks to Pekka and Anders the Preds are tied with Vancouver in the conference at 125 goals allowed.   Strong defense is why the Predators are in fourth place contending for the top of the conference and the division.  A strong defense by the Predators Saturday night with some timely scoring  should lead to another victory in Smashville.

The anticipated final tally. 4 points.  6 would be great but 4 is more likely.