Ay-oh! Wings Blow!
On the heels of a fantastic win against the Red Wings, the focus continues to be the Predators playoff picture.
During the All-Star Break, the mantra heard from the organization was to ‘win two out of three’ for the rest of the season. The Predators (18-7-5 since the break) have more than done that. A 4-2 finish gives the Predators a 99.8% chance of making the playoffs (according to Sports Club Stats).
The question now becomes, who will still be available for the Predators if they make the playoffs? It seems the injury bug has taken its toll on the roster. As of today, Arnott (concussion), Legwand (playing goalie with his face), Erat (fractured leg), Belak (muscle tear), and Jones (muscle tweak) are in one way or another not available for the team. Players such as Joel Ward and Cal O’Reilly have helped step up to fill roles, while Weber, Suter, and Sullivan continue to consistently provide offensive production.
Oh, did I mention, we got goalie. Pekka Rinne is still playing with unbelievable energy, and is cementing himself as the future and present of the franchise. Steve Mason may have the Calder buzz, but Rinne is not to be looked over.
Tuesday should provide a measuring stick, as the Preds visit Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets.
Puck drops at 6:00pm local time, airing on FS-Tennessee.
Update: Mike Santorelli called up to join the rest of the Admirals in Nashville. (Thanks go to Brandon Felder for that news)