Nashville Predators News & Notes:
Nashville Predators and playoffs: Little time to ‘figure things out’ | The Tennesseean
The article rightly states that the Preds are fortunate that the division has been as poor as it’s been this year. In many seasons, 83 points in 71 games (a pace of 95 points over 82) would have the team scrapping for a wild card spot over the final few weeks of the season. This year, it’s been good enough to keep Nashville in second in the division with an outside chance at the division title.
Hartnell Enjoying Time with Family, Ceremonial Puck Drops in Retirement | NHL.com
And we’re enjoying those ceremonial puck drops too. Also, a conversation between Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds after Simmonds was traded to Nashville where almost an entire paragraph is bracketed expansions of hockey nicknames.
Other News & Notes:
NHL Draft Lottery scheduled for April 9 | NHL.com
I like moving the draft between the end of the regular season and the start of the postseason—it should help liven up the wait.
3 Things: The Wild were blanked (again) by Martin Jones and the Sharks – Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks | Hockey Wilderness
May the Preds avoid the same fate on Saturday, and even….dare I say…come away with the W?
Les Canadiennes and the Case of the Missing Jeep | The Victory Press
Last weekend’s CWHL playoffs had an unpleasant plot twist as a quarter of les Canadiennes de Montréal lost their skates hours before the first game of the Clarkson Cup semifinals. The stolen Jeep and the original gear weren’t recovered, but the players managed to get equipped and step up for the game.
Rangers’ Kreider ejected after landing spinning elbow on Canucks’ Pettersson | ProHockeyTalk
Elias Pettersson isn’t a goalie, so I’m kind of surprised by this.
Seriously, though, I’m glad the NHL might finally be cracking down on head contact. (I say this every time and they never actually stick to it, but I can hope.)
Maple Leafs nearly erase five-goal deficit during insane third period vs. Blackhawks | CBSSports.com
On the one hand, America loses when the Blackhawks win; on the other, a win helps shrink their odds at one of the best players in the draft. I can live with it.
Senators’ Thomas Chabot week-to-week with broken toe | Sportsnet
The hits just keep on coming for Senators fans.
O’Ree documentary to premiere at film festival | NHL.com
Most of you probably aren’t going to be attending the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (“the largest documentary festival in North America”) to see this in person, but the article has a decent summary. Hopefully the film is good too.
Who has the toughest schedule heading into the NHL season’s home stretch? | Sportsnet
It’s the Washington Capitals, but I think they’ll live. The Minnesota Wild have the toughest schedule in the West and things aren’t looking great for them, while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames have a nice downhill coast.