Blues Arrive

The Preds were oh so close to climbing back into the playoff chase and then they dropped 2 straight games to the Jets and the Penguins. Tonight, the Saint Louis Blues arrive along with the blues of the fan base waiting to see if the Preds will miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The Preds are 22-13-9 all time against the Saint Louis team. Earlier this season the Blues laid a whooping on the Preds at Bridgestone Arena 6-1. The Blues have a current road record of 18-9-3, so do not look for home ice to secure a win against this mighty powerhouse in the west. 

Trade Alert

The Nashville Predators have traded their 1st ever draft pick to the Detroit Red Wings. Center David Legwand goes to Detroit in return for Patrick Eaves, a prospect (believed to be Calle Jarnkrok), and a third round pick.

Trade Alert

The Preds have traded goaltender Devan Dubynk to the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations. Dubynk cleared waivers this week to be sent down to Milwaukee after the return of Pekka Rinne.

Trade Deadline Is Here

Will David Poile and the Nashville Predators do much of anything today? The trade deadline is at 2pm central time. Poile has indicated that it may be a quiet day from 501 Broadway but the big question still remains. Will David Legwand enter unrestricted free agency with the Nashville Predators this summer or with someone else? Does the ultimate Nashville Predator get dealt today?

Pekka Rinne Returns To Smashville

The highly anticipated return of Nashville Predator goalie Pekka Rinne occurred on Tuesday night. Almost immediately the highly talented offensive force of the Pittsburgh Penguins were testing Rinne who has been sidelined since October 22, 2014 with a hip issue. Rinne looked sharp throughout the game for someone who has been sidelined for several months. Only 27 seconds into the 2nd period, Matt Niskanen opened up the scoring for the Penguins with a beautiful slapshot that sailed past Rinne. It only took 12 seconds for the Preds to tally though as Hornqvist planted himself in front of the net and was able to wrist one past Fleury. The Nashville Predators were able to maintain the pace with the eastern conference leading Penguins until late in the third period. At 7:29 in the third period, Niskanen was able to slap another goal home against Rinne. At about the 17:00 mark of the game, Crosby tripped up Roman Josi and the Penguins were again able to capitalize. Kunitz got his 28th of the year and the Penguins knocked off the Preds with a 3-1 victory. Rinne finishes the first game back with a save percentage of .842. He had 16 saves on 19 shots.

My Gold Stars:

• 3rd Star: Pekka Rinne
• 2nd Star: Sidney Crosby
• 1st Star: Matt Niskanen

Wild Card Playoff Race (Updated 3/5/14 12:40am)

1. 75pts. Minnesota Wild
2. 68pts. Dallas Stars
3. 67pts. Phoenix Coyotes
4. 67pts. Winnipeg Jets
5. 66pts. Vancouver Canucks
6. 62pts. Nashville Predators
7. 53pts. Calgary Flames
8. 50pts. Edmonton Oilers