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"My Take On The Preds"
TN • United States • 40 Years Old • Male

If...
Posted 12:52 AM ET | Comments 8
I hate to write blogs based on 'ifs' but this one was too good to pass up.

IF (not the use of bold to emphasize how this is not happening) the NHL season were to end today (it would be crazy for it to since we haven't even hit the quarter pole yet) the Central Division would boast FOUR (note bold use again...this time to emphasize how crazy this statement is) playoff teams. Take a look at the seeding.

1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Colorado
4. Minnesota
5. Nashville
6. Chicago
7. Columbus
8. Anaheim

While these are early results it does point to one thing that I have been harping on over the past few weeks...the Central is one tough place to play hockey. Gone are the days that the Preds could beat up on the Blues, Blackhawks and Blue Jackets...these teams are too good. We will not win all eight tilts against the Blues like we did last year (in fact we lost our first contest during our six game slide) nor will we control the Hawks or our rival in Columbus.

This makes this year, for me as a Preds fan, not only more exciting but better for our team. I think it will make us a better team come playoff time having to play night in and night out against what could end up being the best division in hockey this year. Yes I know it's early and there are some teams on the outside of that top eight right now who may find there way in but don't be surprised come April when you find three Central teams in the playoffs.

And yes...like it or not Nashville will be one of them.

Big Game Tonight: Another Central game and the return of Paul Kariya as the St. Louis Blues skate into Nashville. I hope that the fans treat him with the respect he deserves. I can't blame him for wanting to make six million a year from the Blues. Nashville owes Paul a debt of gratitude as he was the first marquee player to come to Nashville as a free agent.
November 17, 2007 7:49 AM ET | Delete
I couldn't agree any more. The Central is the NHL version of what the Black and Blue division in the NFL used to be like. They beat up on each other AND they beat up on the rest of the league. This will build character for the team. All of the teams in the NHL. Detroit has stepped out to huge lead in the conference, but as their record shows, they have hit the breaks upon running through their Division stretch. As of this morning, the Central has more combined points then any other division. The difference b/w 1st and last in the division is 9 points. Its actually going to be fun to watch the rival division games this year. Yes it was fun last year as we scored a ton against those team, but this year will be better in person or on TV as the competition will be fierce. Welcome back Paul. It may seem insignificant to the rest of the league, but Paul Kariya taking a chance on coming to Nashville was a huge boost for our team. Look at our record after he arrived. 100 point seasons each year. While we wish he was on our team, we also wish him the best of luck in St. Louis. He carried himself with class, contributed both on and off the ice in the community, and led our team with a silent determination. We will give hime a standing ovation at first, but after that, he is our opponent and we root against his team.
November 17, 2007 8:04 AM ET | Delete
Well said dgutzman! Well said...
November 17, 2007 12:33 PM ET | Delete
Don't like the Blues. I love hockey. Come on 7pm!
November 17, 2007 1:55 PM ET | Delete
The only reason the Blues aren't in that equation is because they've played 4 less games than any other team in the central. So in reality, all 5 times could be in there.
November 17, 2007 2:36 PM ET | Delete
Good posts guys. Well said about PK, too. Lots of reasons to be upbeat right now, so I hope that carries over into tonight's game for the fans and the team. Go Preds!
November 17, 2007 6:59 PM ET | Delete
Yeah, rawrmachine's right. The Blues are in last place, but they're two games above five hundred. It just makes these divisional games all the more important.
November 18, 2007 11:06 AM ET | Delete
The Central is the ONLY division that has all of it's teams above .500. Yes it's early but impressive none the less.
November 18, 2007 9:27 PM ET | Delete
THEY ALL HAVE A SHOT AT AT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS GO WINGS!!!!!!
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