Nashville Predators Puck Drop: Playoff Hopes Are Still Alive

Welcome to The Puck Drop, a weekly roundup of all things Nashville Predators. We look at news stories, social media posts, and everything else that has to do with, cue Paul McCann, YOUR NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

Sadly, the 2020-21 NHL regular season is coming to a close. The Predators are still in the playoff hunt with the possibility of continuing into the postseason.

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On Saturday night, the Predators will write another chapter in their growing rivalry with the Dallas Stars. Both teams are trying to make the playoffs, separated by just two points in the Central Division standings.

Expect a challenging and hard-fought game on Saturday with lots of penalties and possibly a game misconduct call or two.

The Predators and the Stars don’t like each other, as shown in their previous matchups. This game will be no different, especially with what is at stake.

Nashville will need to be on top of their game for Saturday’s matchup. The Predators’ record against the Stars is 4-3, but every win has either been in overtime or a shootout, giving the Stars crucial points in the standings.

Whatever the outcome of this season, there is no denying the incredible turnaround that this Predators team has made. At one point, they had the longest winning streak in the league.

As the season winds down and the playoff hopes linger, we need to cheer on the Predators now more than ever. What seemed like an impossible feat just a month and a half ago is now a very real possibility. Playoff hockey may return to Smashville.

This week we look at another milestone for the Captain, the possible return of Mr. Stacheberg, and the Predators welcome a new Tennesse Titan.

Josi Adds To His Legacy

With an assist in Tuesday night’s game against the Panthers, Roman Josi tallied his 444th point (115 goals, 329 assists). He now sits in third place on the Predators’ all-time points list, overtaking Shea Weber.

Josi’s next goal will be to overtake Martin Erat, who sits in second place with 481 points. It may take a couple of seasons, but Josi should also eventually overtake David Legwand, who is in first place with 566 points.

Congratulations to the Captain. We are fortunate to have a player of Josi’s caliber on the Nashville roster.

A Milestone For Matt

Another Predator’s player reached a milestone in Tuesday’s game. Matt Duchene tallied his 600th career point with an assist on an absolute heater of a goal by Ryan Ellis.

Duchene had been out of the lineup for quite some time due to injury. Since his return to the lineup, he has tallied a goal and two assists.

Congratulations to Matt on this career achievement.

The Nashville Predators Present Grants To Local Charities

On Thursday, the Predators announced that they had allocated $735,000 in grants to 184 local nonprofits. Several Predators employees went to all 184 nonprofits in a single day and presented them with checks.

It is great to see the Predators organization doing so much to help the Nashville and Middle Tennessee areas.

The Return of Mr. Stacheberg?

In a phone call to ESPN 102.5, Assistant Coach Todd Richards told Robby Stanley that Filip Forsberg is very close to returning to the lineup. Richards went on to say that the Predators are hopeful that it could happen this Saturday against the Dallas Stars.

Forsberg returning to the lineup would be a huge lift to a Predators team that needs some scoring help. He has been out of the lineup since March 25 and has been sorely missed.

If everyone could collectively cross their fingers and wish Forsberg’s return to the lineup into existence, it would be much appreciated.

Smashville Welcomes A New Tennessee Titan

With the 22nd pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titan selected cornerback Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech. This pick shores up a need that the Titans have at the cornerback position.

Smashville welcomes you, Caleb. We can’t wait to see you in a Titans uniform.