There's no doubt everyone will be watching Gaudreau and Tkachuk, who are lighting it up. But Dube has been stellar in his last three outings, scoring once against Chicago and he now has four goals in his last three outings. He's playing his best hockey of the season and providing the secondary scoring which is essential to the team's success.
Predators - Roman Josi
Josi is one of the favourite's to win the Norris - THE favourite depending on who you ask - after a stellar season by the blueliner. He leads all D-men with 88 points, is second in goals with 20 (Cale Makar leads with 26), and is tops with 68 helpers, 10 clear of Adam Fox. Can he hit 100? If he does he'd be the first D-man since Brian Leetch to get there (102 in 1991-92).
Those 88 points are a new single-season high for the franchise, as he eclipsed the previous high-water mark of 85 set by Paul Kariya in 2005-06. His incredible play has some putting his name in the Hart conversation, where the last defenceman to win the MVP trophy was Chris Pronger way back in 1999-2000.
Part of me expects a few line up changes, but another part of me recognizes that this is a potential 1st round opponent and Sutter may want to match his expected playoff roster against them and not make any changes.
The Flames certainly have the least meaningful schedule left in terms of standings. All but certain to be the Pacific division leader with no chance of catching Colorado. Colorado though is still neck and neck with the Panthers for the President's Trophy.
Canes and Rangers fighting for division lead. Pittsburgh and Washington fighting for third (which might mean the difference between playing the Panthers). Toronto is fairly secured in second in the Atlantic after a strong end to the season but they still have a four point game with Tampa coming up that could put them in some harm of falling to third. Tampa is also fighting with Boston for position. You know Boston would love to get that third spot over Tampa to play Toronto in the first round given history (1959 last time Leafs beat Bruins in playoffs. Bruins knocked them out first round in 69, 72, 74, 13, 18, 19).
St. Louis and Minnesota fighting for home advantage with the Blues surging to overtake the Wild in points but still below by point percentage. Edmonton, like the Leafs, pretty secured in second but a disaster end could leave them outside of the playoffs still unlike the Leafs.
Kings fighting to stay ahead of Vegas and now Vancouver. Nashville and Dallas exactly tied at 43-28-5 fighting to avoid Colorado but also stay ahead of the fourth place Pacific team.
Could make the last day of the season interesting. 15 teams playing. Ideally Minnesota (vs Col) and St. Louis (vs Vegas) still close enough that their games mean something, same with Stars and Preds. Somehow the stars align and Vancouver vs Edmonton means something to both teams as well. Would be awesome if none of those teams had the option to rest up before the playoffs.
What does make the Flames schedule interesting is that their next four games are against teams that could theoretically be their first round opponent (Nashville x2, Dallas, and extreme outside shot Canucks).
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Part of me expects a few line up changes, but another part of me recognizes that this is a potential 1st round opponent and Sutter may want to match his expected playoff roster against them and not make any changes.
Vladar in over Markstrom seems like the plan and appears smart. If they win, that's demoralizing to Nashville losing to the backup on a back-to-back night. If they lose, oh well, lost with a backup in a meaningless game for the Flames on a second night of a back-to-back crazy schedule.
Of course whoever plays I expect Sutter to want to go out and play as though it was a playoff match but I doubt the Flames are looking at this as a must-win game (and especially with a second chance against Nashville soon).
Unfortunate situation though is that a win for the Flames makes them less likely to play one another and a loss makes them more likely to play one another.
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There are no meaningless games. Home ice is still up for grabs, particularly for potential round 2 match-ups. Going into the playoffs with confidence is important as well.
By all means, start Vladar more though. He is a good goalie and should get some games in case he is needed in the playoffs. Markstrom is fantastic of course, but it's not a throw away by putting Vladar in. He gives the team a chance to win pretty much every time he plays.
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Huge game for the Preds. Can't afford to be losing games with teams chasing them for their playoff spot, and they're going to be viewing this as a measuring stick game to see how they stack against a top team. Expect them to be playing hard
Calgary flames at nashville predators 6:00 pm
