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Game Time: 8:00 PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN/WIND560 AM
Linedancers: On the Forecheck
First things first – Campbell won’t be playing tonight. Though the fact that they keep making it sound like a day of decision is quite encouraging. I’m still hoping that this series will be over before he can return but if it goes to 7, maybe he’ll be able to return.. who knows?
Kim Johnsson is, of course, still assumed dead.
The other big news for the Predators is that Patric Hornqvist is still a game-time decision. He’s the leading scorer on the predators squad and will certainly be missed by a squad that doesn’t really have a ton to offer on offense. On the Forecheck would like to see more out of players like Erat, Sullivan and Arnott. The Predators will also have the chance to get more match-up happy now that they’re back home in the Gaylord Entertainment Center.. Sommet Center… Bridgestone Arena. Nashville had a solid 24-14-3 record at home during the regular season but it will be interesting to see if they feel some of the pressure the Hawks may have felt playing in front of a raucous home crowd… it will also be interesting to see how much of that crowd is decked out in red.
Some good news is that even with the win – the Hawks aren’t playing their best yet. They’re at the bottom of the playoff teams right now with only 1.50 Goals per game. We know they’re better than that. Right now the Predators are practically carried by the play of Pekka Rinne. A sub-par game from him could spell doom for the Preds. Problem is, he hasn’t shown any signs of letting up for weeks now. The Hawks need to keep getting shots on him and especially keep getting bodies in front of him. We saw more of that on Sunday and it needs to continue.
Tonight is a huge game for the Hawks. As Al Cimaglia wrote today – the other Western Conference favorites in the first round are all going to need at least a game 6 to win (assuming of course you think the Wings are favorites over the Yotes). Taking tonight’s game not only carries the momentum but gives the Hawks the opportunity to wrap up the series on Saturday. Looking ahead now though could kill the Hawks. So lets focus on getting tonight only.
Lets Go Hawks
Note: A thread will open up automatically for each period as none of the three of us will be near a computer. So just keep an eye out for them.