Everything Else

Aloha – Game 1 – Predators vs Hawks Preview, Instant Re-Finance

By 1622

 vs 

Game Time: 7:00PM CDT
TV/Radio: CSN, NBCSN (US), TVA-S2 (Canada), WGN-AM 720
Golden Showers: On The Forecheck

The long national nightmare is over, The Chicago Blackhawks are once again playing hockey games that matter. And they’re doing so from their most advantageous position in four years, with home ice for as long as they remain in the Western Conference playoffs. For those counting at home, under Joel Quenneville the Hawks are 11-1 in series wherein they have home ice, the lone outlier being the 2014 Western Conference Final, which took to Game 7 in OT to end. That also remains the only series that the Hawks have ended up losing wherein they have taken Game 1. The road is laid out for them, and the first step is tonight on West Madison against the Nashville Predators.

Everything Else

We R Who We R – Nashville Predators Playoff Preview: Goalies And Defense

By 1487

As is tradition here, we will break up our preview over two days. I’ll take the back end today, because most tend to think I’m a horse’s ass, and then Matt will be around tomorrow to take you through the forward group. So let’s dive right in before they drain the pool, shall we?

Goalies

Pekka Rinne: 31-19-9, 2.42 GAA, .918 SV%, .929 EV SV%, .862 SH SV%

Ah yes, this old thing. You remember this. The Hawks have only faced one other goalie three times in the playoffs, and that would be Roberto Luongo. He was able to turn the tables on the Hawks at the third time of asking, but the 2011 team is not this team and the Predators are not the ’11 Canucks. When we first did this dance in 2010 it was a little scary facing Rinne, but then the Hawks punted him to a .911 over six games and won. In 2015 Rinne’s limitations were already well known to everyone, and while Crawford and then Darling took their turns swallowing mouthwash, Rinne couldn’t take advantage and put up a .909 over six games and was once again sent home. There’s no reason to think this will go any differently.

Everything Else

The Sound Of My Ceiling Fan – Hawks at Predators Preview, Secret Menu Order

By 1316

 at 

Game Time: 7:00PM CST
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Get The Red Out: On The Forecheck

In what is looking more and more to be the case as games tick off the schedule, this will be the last meeting between the Hawks and Predators until Game 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs. And with both teams apparently locked into their respective positions within the division, tonight in Nashville and here on out remain about getting healthy and tightening up play more than about results.

Everything Else

Bamboo Curtain – Predators vs Hawks Preview, Fridge Cleanout

By 1303

 vs 

Game Time: 6:00PM CST
TV/Radio: WGN Ch. 9, WGN-AM 720
Mike Ribeiro Is A Sex Criminal: On The Forecheck

It seems like every single year the Hawks manage to have played more games than anyone in the first half of the season, with the entire rest of their division having games in hand up until the final week of the season. This year is no different, and what better way to pile on than with three games in four nights, all at home.

Everything Else

Take Me To Another Land: Hawks And Predators Weekend Preview/Iggy Pop Lookalike Contest

By 1118

Hawk Wrestler vs. predator

PUCK DROPS: 7pm Tonight, 7:30pm tomorrow

TV: CSN Tonight, WGN Tomorrow

YELLOW COLLARED TWEEKERS: On The Forecheck

Projected Lineups

blackhawks-lineup-card

predators-lineup-card

POWER PLAY (’15-’16): Hawks 22.6% (2nd)  Predators 19.7% (10th)

PENALTY KILL (’15-’16):  Hawks 80.3% (22nd)  Predators 81.2% (16th)

Predators Possession Stats

Hawks Possession Stats

Trends To Watch: James Neal has 14 goals in 23 career games against the Hawks, Jonathan Toews has 35 points in 41 games against Nashville

With some personal commitments for all of us and Game 1 taking most of our attention anyway tomorrow, let’s just set up this old school divisional home-and-home all at once. After a pretty stinging loss to open the season, it’ll get no easier for the Hawks as they’ll open the Predators season, perhaps the most anticipated in Music City in their entire history.

Everything Else

The Revolutionary Nature Of The Nashville Predators

By 1302

There’s a few reasons I’m fascinated by the Nashville Predators this season. One, they have my favorite person in the league now in P.K. Subban. They were already one of the more entertaining teams to watch before Subban even arrived. Whether or not John Tortorella was right about Ryan Johansen is something to be studied as well. The idea of them finally breaking through to the later rounds of the playoffs for a fanbase that has become one of the best in the league as well is another reason to watch.

But what I’m really interested in seeing is that I’m not sure we’ve seen a blue line constructed like this before, and what it might mean for the future.

Everything Else

We've Had Enough – Game 5 – Hawks at Predators Preview, Pregame Thread, Cross Examination

By 1271 0

oldschool at predator

Game Time: 8:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN+ (Ch. 201), NBCSN, SN360 (Anglo), TVA3 (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Opryland Season Pass: On The Forecheck

After 101 minutes of hockey that spanned Tuesday well into Wednesday, the Hawks are at long last in a position to advance in the post season. And that opportunity presents itself tonight in the form of the Nashville Predators once again at Bridgestone Arena.

Everything Else

We’ve Had Enough – Game 5 – Hawks at Predators Preview, Pregame Thread, Cross Examination

By 1116 0

oldschool at predator

Game Time: 8:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN+ (Ch. 201), NBCSN, SN360 (Anglo), TVA3 (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Opryland Season Pass: On The Forecheck

After 101 minutes of hockey that spanned Tuesday well into Wednesday, the Hawks are at long last in a position to advance in the post season. And that opportunity presents itself tonight in the form of the Nashville Predators once again at Bridgestone Arena.