Nashville Predators fans are getting a great chance to get pumped up for the playoffs by catching the team’s practices these days at Centennial Sportsplex. Today’s practice is set for 11:00 a.m. and is open to the public, and makes a great opportunity to see the team up-close as they get ready to meet the Red Wings in Game One on Wednesday.
Centennial should have a bit of playoff atmosphere hanging in the air, as rec-league playoffs are currently underway. After our team got bounced out last night, I think I’m going to launch a campaign built off the famous You Can Play initiative. It’ll be called “You Can’t Play”, and will be geared to 40-year-old+ clods like myself that really need to lose 20-30 pounds before we step on the ice again.
Follow after the jump for more on yesterday’s practice and the rest of your morning hockey notes…
Nashville Predators News
Preds On The Glass: The 2011-12 Nashville Predators: What a long strange trip it has been
Recapping the season gone by.
Preds On The Glass: POTG First Round NHL Playoff Predictions
Buddy calls his shot for all of the opening round series.
The View from 111: Predators/Red Wings Playoff Preview
Mark weighs in with his prediction.
Nashville VS Detroit – The Quintessential “Measuring Stick” Matchup | The Predatorial
Kristopher feels pretty confident.
Inside Smashville ” Legwand has become real difference maker in playoffs for Nashville
Playoff Legwand… Activate!
Predators NOW! Red Wings @ Predators Series Show | Fang Faction
A host of Preds bloggers participated in this roundtable (including yours truly), and ESPN’s John Buccigross jumped in as well.
Reference Post: OtF’s Look at Predators’ Even-Strength Weakness (And Follow-Up Penalty/Line Analysis) – Winging It In Motown
J.J. builds off my post the other day to see how the special teams battle might play out, based on each team’s propensity to draw or commit penalties.
Smashville 24/7 – Smashville On The Glass – First round preview
Ryan chats up Terry Crisp and NHL.com’s Brian Hedger on the series.
NHL Playoffs Pick ’em: Nashville Predators (4) vs. Detroit Red Wings (5) – Lighthouse Hockey
Dominik’s head & heart struggle over a pick here, but so far the readers favor Nashville.
2012 Stanley Cup playoffs: Experts’ picks – ESPN
11 out of 12 ESPN talking heads prefer Nashville, and all of those say it will take 7 games.
Predators goalies had slightly different look Monday – Nashville Predators Examiner
The real news? Peks may (or may not) go with a new mask.
Detroit Red Wings’ Pavel Datsyuk is Nashville Predators’ nemesis | The Tennessean
This is certainly Job #1, slowing down Datsyuk.
Nashville Predators begin practices for playoff opener | The Tennessean
Josh brings your update from Monday’s practice.
This time Fisher ready for physical demands of Predators’ playoff run | Nashville City Paper
It’s interesting to hear that Fish’s shoulder had been a problem “for a couple years” before he had surgery last summer.
Rinne’s humble beginnings lead to greatness – FS Tennessee
Lots of people have humble beginnings, right? How many of them reach the pinnacle of their profession?
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
The NHL and NBC Keep Their Promise, As Fans Win Big with Every Game on TV ” Puck The Media
You have to be impressed with the effort NBC is bringing to the playoffs.
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: 6 Questions Heading Into The NHL Playoffs – SBNation.com
Some will get their hackles up because the Preds draw doubters over the Shots For & Against issue. It’s a legitimate question, though.
Larry Tanenbaum’s original draft for his open letter to Toronto Maple Leafs fans. [Full size] – Pension Plan Puppets
You’ve got to love bitter Leafs fans.
NHL Worst Awards 2011-12: Puck Daddy dishonors hockey’s blunders and busts | Puck Daddy
A collection of the wild & wacky from the season gone by.
Driving Play: Power Plays In The First Round Of The Playoffs
Contrary to popular opinion, there seem to be more penalties called in the playoffs.
Top 10 Stanley Cup Playoff storylines to watch in the 2012 NHL postseason | Puck Daddy
The Predators’ “all in” approach will be closely watched by observers around the league.
2011-2012 Season In Review: The Negatives – The Cannon
I was expecting this to be a lot longer.
Coaching | mc79hockey.com
Is Tom Renney going to get the chance to lead the Oilers out of the darkness?
We Just Come From Such Different Sets Of Circumstance: SCH’s Phoenix Coyotes Preview – Second City Hockey
This will be an interesting series, but I think I like the Hawks if Jonathan Toews is ready to go.
Buffalo Sabres Locker Cleanout: Derek Roy Calls Out Lindy Ruff – Die By The Blade
It’s getting ugly in Buffalo.
Making sense of the artificial NHL standings | Edmonton Journal
Bruce McCurdy screens out the shootout and empty-net goals to see how teams really stack up.
Why wait? Hockey fight during ceremonial puck drop before CHL playoff game (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before.
Last Day of School for Anaheim Ducks – Anaheim Calling
This will be an interesting team to watch over the summer. If Bruce Boudreau can open up the attack here, the Ducks could develop into a scary, exciting team next season.
Surprises in NHL Central Scouting Service’s final rankings – Buzzing The Net
Something for you draft mavens to chew on.
The Panthers have a video for you so-called experts who used logic and didn’t believe (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
The Panthers flip the bird to outside observers. Yes, Florida, you are the most outstanding losers we’ve seen in a long time, riding 18 overtime/shootout losses to a playoff berth. Enjoy raising that Southeast Division banner in the fall, but your run this spring will be very, very short.
Leafs get their end-of-season report cards – The Globe and Mail
A “D” for Matthew Lombardi? Surely attendance has to count for something.
Communication and the art of creating confidence – The Globe and Mail
Confidence can indeed mean a lot, as we’ve talked about already with the Preds’ early-season comebacks. It sounds like that’s been key in Ottawa, too.