Now that the distraction of football season is finally behind us, we can get back to the important stuff, the stretch drive for the Stanley Cup playoffs!
The upcoming schedule for the Nashville Predators doesn't get any easier, as they prepare to battle two division-leading teams, along with perhaps the biggest surprise team in the NHL. Can they make up ground on the Central Division-leading Detroit Red Wings, who lead the Preds by 4 points as of right now?
Follow after the jump for a look at the upcoming challenge...
Save money on Preds tickets by taking the OTF Discount!
As expected, the Vancouver Canucks are running away with the Northwest Division, but the Preds have a 1-1 record so far this season against Vancouver, including that wild game back on December 1, when Nashville coughed up a 3-1 lead, fell behind 5-3, then came back to win it 6-5 thanks to a strong relief performance by Anders Lindback.
Of course, the job of taking on the Canucks will begin with slowing down the man who currently stands #4 on the NHL scoring list:
The Senators were widely thought to be in for a long-term rebuild under new coach Paul MacLean, but instead they find themselves in 7th spot in the Eastern Conference. While they've played a couple more games than most of their competition for one of the final playoff berths, the attitude in Canada's capital is an optimistic one, bolstered in good part by their unlikely Norris Trophy candidate:
It's another matinee feature for the Preds as they take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins, who lead the Northeast Division by a healthy 7-point margin, and boast an absurd +69 goal differential, far and away the best such figure in the league. Even though they have the top offensive team in the NHL, their leading scorer is ranked 26th overall, speaking to the Bruins' depth.
So what are your expectations for the week ahead? None of these three opponents represent real competition for the Predators' playoff positioning (Vancouver is pretty much locked into that #3 spot), so can they bring the same urgency we've seen against rivals like Detroit and Minnesota of late?
0 recs | 15 comments
I don’t know if anyone has seen this or not… but its hilarious http://didgomezscore.com/
Creeping Death - February 6, 2012
He just celebrated his one year anniversary! Poor guy, haha…
davisca - February 6, 2012
I feel like we can get at least 3-4 points out of this week.
I can’t see us winning all three games, but I think we’ll definitely get one win (and I think it’ll be Ottawa), maybe two. I have a feeling that one of the other two (Vancouver or Boston) games might go into OT/SO, but who knows. The other option is that we hope I’m totally wrong and we win all three games!!!
It’s also really hard to predict how things are going to go for the Bruins game because we so rarely play them. They have a reputation for playing rough (and a little dirty), so that’s a little disconcerting, but maybe it’ll be fine because there isn’t really any history between us. Either way, I’m EXCITED for this game!!! My plan is still to put the “To War” poster on the glass during the warmup skate. I have no idea how early Bruins fans tend to show up to claim their seats, but hopefully this will pan out!
davisca - February 6, 2012
Give 'em hell and make us Proud
Hope we see you on the glass at the game. Or at least making a lot of noise close by.
Catwoman - February 6, 2012
Thanks!! I'll do my best to represent Nashville proudly!
Oh, and that’s why I mentioned the problem with the seats filling up… I’m actually sitting way up in the rafters! I’m just going to try and borrow a seat on the glass for a few minutes before the game actually gets going. Like I said, we’ll see. I have no idea if it’ll actually work.
davisca - February 6, 2012
A wink and smile goes a long way
Charm them out of their seats….
Catwoman - February 6, 2012
Although a beer and smartass comment might be a little better.
Catwoman - February 6, 2012
you can get your beer at the bah but don’t drive your cah after words. I was in Boston and at bar with some friend and the bartender asked us why we talked so weird… apparently making the “r” sound at the end of words ending in R is weird to Bostonerheads
Creeping Death - February 6, 2012
I think my brother might be at that game also. I will let ya know if he is so you can look for another Preds shirt out there
Creeping Death - February 6, 2012
Cool!
davisca - February 6, 2012
Interesting stat....
Our second period seems to suck so badly, but when you look at the number of goals given up in the second period in the league, Nashville is the best – 30th with 33 (Chicago’s in 1st with 68… yikes).
davisca - February 6, 2012
That’s our “rope-a-dope” period. :) Look’s ugly but is terribly effective!
Marcus Newman - February 6, 2012
thats interesting
JBoogie22 - February 6, 2012 via iPhone app
I am saying 4 points.
Here is hoping they get 6. I am going to say they play Lindback against Ottawa and the Senators get the win. Let’s hope I am wrong and the Preds get the sweep!
Josiah2729 - February 6, 2012
This month is going to be a test for the Preds. A lot of tough teams.
Earlier in the season March was looking tough to me, but not so much anymore.
Josiah2729 - February 6, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of On the Forecheck to post a comment.