Archive for April 6, 2012
Preview #82: Predators have home ice in sight as regular season ends in Colorado
11 year ago
by Amanda DiPaolo
in Preview
Season Records
Nashville Predators 47-26-8
Colorado Avalanche 41-34-6
Nashville forward Brandon Yip (center) was picked up on waivers on January 19th from the Avalanche.
The Nashville Predators will try to secure home ice during the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs when they face Colorado to end the regular season on Saturday night. Picking up a point in the game would be enough to guarantee Nashville the fourth spot in the Western Conference Standings.
The Predators will know who their opponent will be in the first round of the playoffs before the puck drops at 8 pm. Chicago and Detroit face off at Joe Louis Arena at noon on NBC. If Detroit loses in regulation to Chicago, the Blackhawks will tie the Red Wings in points but will move into fifth spot in the West due to the tie breaker. While both teams would end the season with 39 wins not including shootout victories, Chicago has a 3-0-2 record against Detroit this season which would move them ahead of the Red Wings.
Predators blank Stars 2-0, now control their own destiny in pursuit of home ice advantage
21 year ago
by Amanda DiPaolo
in Game Recap
Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators shut out the Dallas Stars 2-0 on Thursday night. With the win, the Predators move into fourth spot in the Western Conference standings, one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings. Nashville now controls its own destiny in the fight for home ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with one game remaining on the schedule.
Francis Bouillon and Patric Hornqvist scored for the Predators. Rinne made 28 saves.
“It is better to start [the playoffs] here. It is nice to be home in front of our fans. But it doesn’t matter who we play against or where we play. We just want to be ready to play anybody,” Bouillon said after the win Thursday night.
Nashville’s final game will be played away from Bridgestone Arena. The Predators close out the regular season against the Colorado Avalanche. One year ago, the Predators had an opportunity to finish in fourth place but lost on the second to last day of the regular season, being shutout 2-0 by the St. Louis Blues. Nashville will try to avoid repeating that outcome with a win in Denver.
“Saturday night’s game is going to be huge. We are great at home and the fans have been great the whole year. Hopefully we can come up with a big win in Colorado and start the playoffs at home. Everyone in this room wants to start at home. We have a chance to do it. I am really looking forward to it,” Hornqvist said. (more…)
