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Thursday’s Dump and Chase – The Walls Are Closing In

Nashville Predators News

Bad habits creep back into the Nashville Predators’ game at the worst time | A to Z Sports
The Nashville Predators were on a roll a week ago. Then a few bad habits crept into their game in key losses to the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers, writes our friend Alex Daugherty

Nashville at Minnesota Game Charts | Bryan Bastin

It’s not pretty folks.  Click the link to see the rest of the charts (if you want)

Matt Duchene talks Predators, Goaltending, and Giving Back | 104.5
Matt Duchene talks about the middle Tennessee tornadoes and how he and his Preds teammates have been giving back, the recent rough stretch for the Preds, the brutal third period vs Edmonton, the goaltending situation and more.

Charlie Daniels, MTSU Thankful for Partnership with Preds to Help Vets | NHL.com
Supporting and giving back to those who serve in the military has always been a priority for the Nashville Predators organization, and on Monday, that truth was echoed loud and clear once more.

Interview with Allie LaCombe | NHL.com
Nashville Jr. Predators Head Coach Allie LaCombe chats about her connection with girls hockey in both Nashville and Minnesota

How the Proposed Salary Cap Increases Could Affect The Predators | Bryan Bastin

Hockey is For Everyone

Blues panned for scheduling ‘Hockey Is For Everyone’ night on road | ESPN.com
The Blues have been criticized for being the only NHL team this season to schedule its “Hockey Is For Everyone Celebration and Watch Party” for a road game, rather than during one of its 41 home games.

Sad.

NWHLPA Director Anya Packer details next NWHL season during Twitch stream | The Ice Garden
During the intermission of the final regular season game, the Riveters analysis reflected on the league and looked forward to the future

Top 3 Finalists in 2020 Patty Kazmaier Award announced – The Ice Garden
USA Hockey announced the Top 3 Finalists for the 2020 Patty Kazamier Award today. They are junior forward Élizabeth Giguère from Clarkson, sophomore forward Alina Müller from Northeastern, and senior forward Abby Roque from Wisconsin.

Analytics Corner

NHL’s new puck will premiere on opening night of playoffs | TSN.ca
Puck tracking is nearly here!  The NHL has prepared non-stop for the last year plus, and when the playoffs begin, the electronic equipment in the puck (along with on the players) will provide a wealth of data for NHL teams (and hopefully the public!).  But there are plenty of worries when it comes to this technology and the timing at the most important part of the year.

Goalie Positioning and Expected Goals | CBJHAC
A spatio-temporal analysis of goaltender positioning and strategies in professional hockey by Cole Anderson.

This sounds complicated because it is, but it is very good stuff.  One criticism of expected goal models is that it doesn’t account for pre-shot movement.  Initial studies have shown that adding pre-shot movement doesn’t add as much value as once thought.  Anderson, on the other hand, looks at goalie positioning (something that is usually a product of pre-shot movement) and describes the significant increase in xG value when applied.

News from Around the NHL

Van Riemsdyk of Flyers breaks hand in win against Capitals | NHL.com
James van Riemsdyk broke his right hand blocking a shot in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 5-2 win against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.  Farabee to be recalled from AHL.

NHL salary cap projected to rise next season
The NHL salary cap for next season is projected to be between $84 million and $88.2 million, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the general managers before they broke after three days of meetings Wednesday.

If this projected raise is put into effect, Nashville will go from approximately $9.2 million in cap space this off-season to $11.7 to $15.9 million, which would be a massive boon to the Predators.

Senators fire CEO Little less than two months after hire | NHL.com
The Ottawa Senators fired CEO Jim Little on Wednesday, less than two months after he took the position Jan. 10.

This is a mess – Ottawa just cannot seem to right the ship, even after a great trade deadline left them with a stockpile of draft picks.

New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider out 4-6 weeks with foot fracture | TSN.ca
The Rangers opted to extend Kreider at the trade deadline, instead of trading him as many thought, and unfortunately will be without the star forward for likely the remainder of the season.

New York Islanders defenceman Johnny Boychuk needed 90 stitches after skate to face | TSN.ca
NINETY.  To his EYE.  No thanks, I don’t need to know any more.

31 Thoughts: How Marc Bergevin sees Canadiens’ present, future | Sportsnet
Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin says adjustments are coming, but that his team’s struggles are “not a coaching issue.” More in the 31 Thoughts.

Song(s) / Video of the Day

It’s been rough the last week in Nashville, so why not cheer up with something amazing?  Nia Dennis of UCLA gives a perfect floor routine, backed by the one and only Beyonce, and when you have that and marching band tracks behind it, well – it doesn’t get much better than this.