The Week Ahead For The Nashville Predators
by Dirk Hoag on Mar 4, 2012 9:57 PM EST
in Nashville Predators News
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PrintThe Nashville Predators get back to their regular Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday routine this week, with all three games taking place at Bridgestone Arena, where they've gone 10-0-2 over their last 12 games. That doesn't mean they'll have an easy time - far from it, as a trio of Western Conference teams who are hungry for wins are on the menu...
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Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings were just here last Monday for a 2-1 Preds victory, and they'll be desperate for points here as they are currently just one point behind Dallas for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West. While the offense has been sluggish in L.A. this season (a rather surprising development given all the talent up front there), the goaltending has been rock solid, so we could be in for another low-scoring affair.
Thursday vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are a couple points behind the Kings and have one fewer game remaining, so their playoff hopes are a bit dimmer, but still very much alive.
These days, over at Mile High Hockey they're excited about the play of rookie Gabriel Landeskog, who was just named Rookie of the Month for February:
The rookie's impact on the team's success is unquestionable, and unlike many freshmen players, he has yet to hit a wall. In fact, he continues to get better. As the year goes on, he climbs in the rankings for the Calder, the trophy given to the Rookie of the Year. If he continues to play as he did in February, the young Swede will leave little doubt that he deserves the award.
Saturday vs. Detroit Red Wings
If the Predators still harbor any hopes of winning their first Central Division title, then this game looms as the most important game of the week, their final home-ice battle with the Red Wings. The Preds are 1-3 against Detroit so far this season, and with a six-point deficit to make up on both the Wings and the Blues, there is little margin for error left for Nashville.
The big story to watch right now is when the legendary Nicklas Lidstrom will return to action. He's been out with a deep bone bruise, a rare absence for a guy who has never missed more than 6 games in any one of his 20 NHL seasons.
So how do you think the Preds will fare this week?
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I'm greedy
so I want all 6 points and to embarrass Detroit on Saturday. However, I see 4 points as the most likely scenario.
"Be quick, but don't hurry. Do not let what you can't do interfere with what you can." - John Wooden
by KnightOfNi222 on Mar 4, 2012 10:22 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Have to beat Detroit if they want to win division.
Howard left the game today with a lower body injury. I haven’t heard if he will be back by Saturday.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
WE ARENT GONNA WIN THE DIVISION
or even finish 2nd. we need to keep winning. we need to play well and make sure we hold 5th. then we will get our chance against either the wings or blues and take them down there.
I am watching Tootoo on 2...
What does anybody know about this E.J. guy? I know in one of the episodes they said he was his party buddy when Tootoo was having his problems.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
Big time week ahead.
Tough week. Both Kings and Avs are desperate for points, and no easy pushovers. So it’s really time for the Preds to show their mettle in these two games. I really hope they can focus on these games w/o being too much distracted by the big showdown w/ Detroit on saturday.
As far as the Detroit game… Team needs to make a point with a side glance to the POs. A statement, that they can win against the top contenders in Central, and that they will!
Trying to be optimistic
I’m thinking 5. 2 wins and an OTL. Just hope the OTL is not against DET.
TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....
Get 4 points and make them the none shootout variety and call it a week. I personally would rather detroit win the division then the blues if we can’t win it.
Cheering for buffalo, edmonton, and phx tonight.
by wrandsw on Mar 5, 2012 8:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Need an edit button
Non instead of none.
by wrandsw on Mar 5, 2012 8:40 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Need the 6 but will likely get only 4 at the most
The Predators have not shown much against the Wings. The only game they won against Detroit was because of some incredible puck luck from Weber. I agree with predswilrule, they’re not going to win the division unless they pretty much win all their remaining games. Not much difference between 4th or 5th other than home ice in the first round. Again I say, better to avoid the Wings or the Blues in the first round—which would be an exhausting series even if the Preds win—by finishing 6th and playing the Pacific winner. Allow me, however, to temper everything I’ve just said by admitting that I haven’t seen enough of the Preds with their new acquisitions to form an opinion regarding how deep they can go in the playoffs. I do know one thing—they can’t have any more games like the one in Carolina.
The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
6th would probably be the best matchup...
but I think it would be dangerous to try to get that position.
Beer... Now there's a temporary solution.-Homer Simpson
Not advocating they should make a conscious effort to finish 6th, just saying it might not be a bad thing if that’s where they end up.
The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
by shoot the puck on Mar 5, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
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