Thrashers vs. Predators: good for hockey in the South

Nov 28 2008

Published by bud006 at 5:00 am under Thrashers Analysis Edit This

By Bud L. Ellis
thrashers.today.com

ATLANTA — The reduction in the number of games NHL teams play against their division rivals this season – from eight to six – opens up more opportunities to face teams from the opposite conference.

For the Atlanta Thrashers and the Nashville Predators, that’s a great thing. For hockey in the South, that’s a great thing.

Sporadic scheduling between teams in the Eastern Conference and those in the Western Conference has meant rivalries like Atlanta/Nashville have suffered in previous seasons. But not in 2008-09, as Atlanta and Nashville will play twice, once on each team’s home ice.

Two teams, separated by just four hours of interstate highway, hooking up twice a season. Yep, good move NHL.

The first meeting is tonight at Philips Arena, and you can bet with the Thrashers not exactly spinning the turnstiles at a fever pitch, there will be quite a few folks who make the trek down Interstate 24 and I-75 from Nashville to check out the game in Georgia’s capital city. Conversely, I’d imagine quite a few Thrashers’ fans will make the journey north to Nashville for the Jan. 17 matchup (I’m actually considering making that trip myself).

Nashville lost a tough 1-0 decision Tuesday to St. Louis, a game in which the Preds launched 47 shots on goal. That’s gotta make for a restless night for either Johan Hedberg or Ondrej Pavelec, one of whom will be between the pipes for the Thrashers.

Atlanta’s lost three of its past four after reeling off five consecutive victories. Atlanta needs a win for confidence, and a victory over Nashville not only would move it to 20 points on the season, it would be a nice first shot for the season in a rivalry that’s only going to get better with time.