This weekend, lots of people are enjoying the All-Star Break; fans and players alike. I happen to enjoy it myself, catching the highlights on the skills competition and looking at pictures taken by fans. Most of all, I enjoy this time because it gives me time to catch up on some non hockey related issues. For the Predators, the break gives the team time to rest after a long Western road swing. "The stretch" is upon us. Many people, announcers, bloggers, and commentators refer to this time all season. What does it mean for Nashville? Let's look into it.
The Nashville Predators have 32 games left in the regular season, and only 11 of those will be on the road. Spring always seems to be good to Nashville, and the home crowd will be able to give the team a good boost. I believe that February will be key, and the Predators will play 10 games at home, and only 3 on the road. In February, Nashville will take on a very tough schedule against teams like Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Vancouver. The Preds will also visit Philadelphia this coming up Thursday night to take on one of the best teams in the league. If the Predators can get the momentum going in February, it should carry over and get us through the regular season.
In March, Nashville starts off with a Western Canada swing, adding San Jose at the end. Many great teams, including Boston, LA, Detroit, Dallas, and Colorado will make a stop in Nashville, which makes for another hard month.
In April, Nashville has three home games, and play their only road game in St Louis for the last game of the regular season.
*Predictions*
Some circles say that predicting the final outcome can do more damage than breaking a mirror. I, however, have not much of a believer in luck, and I'm going to give it a shot.
I believe that Dallas, Detroit, San Jose, and Minnesota will begin and/or continue a slump down the stretch. These four teams seem to be quirky this year, and all have special issues that will cause them problems. Detroit, for example, has goal tending problems that are not going to get better any time soon. I believe that when the problem is finally fixed, it will be too late. I do believe that Detroit will make the playoffs, but their run in second place will be short lived.
Surging teams will include Chicago, Calgary, Phoenix, and LA. Calgary refuses to be a bad team, and even though their run is a little late, I believe that they will get into a playoff spot this year. Chicago is very able to perform and will decide to get serious down the stretch, and Phoenix will have momentum from Keith Yandle in February.
*Back To Reality*
Where does all of this leave for Nashville? I honestly have no idea. Time will just have to tell because for me, it is easy to critique teams as an outsider, and it is very hard make predictions on the team that I follow every day. I do know that the Predators will play several teams over the next couple of months that are going to refuse to lay down and give up two points. Of those include Calgary (two games), Vancouver (three games), Anaheim (one), and LA (one). Nashville has had an injury plagued season and despite that, they have done very well. Nashville takes on Calgary Tuesday night at the Bridgestone Arena for their first game after the break. They will come into the game with 60 points and 4th place in the Western Conference, and will look for a little revenge to start what is sure to be a February to remember.
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