POTG Radio Playoff Preview Round-Table and Weekend Wrap-Up

The final seedings and schedule finally came into focus yesterday with the last games of the NHL season being completed. Here is the complete first round schedule for all series and the TV networks that will be carrying them.

The Predators series with the Hawks does not get underway until Friday, which is the latest start of all eight series. With the Predator's injury situation, the extra two days will help Patric Hornqvist, Denis Grebeshkov and Joel Ward have more time to heal. Playing in the same time zone will also be helpful.

John Glennon talked to Barry Trotz about the match up with the Blackhawks. He also reports that in addition to Versus, FS TN will carry all but the NBC game in the first round. He also looks at the series and the keys to watch.

Forechecker starts the mud slinging with a piece about Patrick "20 cent" Kane. He also has wallpaper for the first round.

From up north, the Chicago Sun Times looks at the Predators and the upcoming series. The Daily Herald also previews the match.

From the Rink has key statistics for each matchup. Puck Daddy rates the entertainment value of each series. Sean Leahy gives the top ten storylines for the playoffs.

POTG Radio Tonight...

We will have a special edition of POTG Radio tonight with a round table discussion of all eight playoff matchups as well as a look at the Pred-s Hawks match in detail. We will have Ryan Porth of the Red Light District, Brandon Felder of Hockey Buzz and Chris Wassel of The Program as participants.

This should be a fast paced hour of playoff talk so please join us live at 7 p.m. Central or on podcat at BlogTalkRadio or on iTunes.

Preds-Blues Finale Round-Up...

Here is our story with postgame interviews from Saturday.

John Glennon has his game story, notes and blog from the game at the Tennessean.

In Pred Blog world wrap ups come from Brandon Felder, The View From 111, Forechecker, See Puck City, The Odd Man Rush,

David Boclair has his story at The City Paper.

Frozen Four/Hobey Baker Wrap-Up...

The finish to the the frozen four was really ugly for Wisconsin as Boston College man-handled them in the finals in a 5-0 shutout.

Blake Geoffrion did all players from south of the Mason-Dixon line proud, as he won the Hobey Baker award on Friday night.

Here are other stories about Blake's award from John Glennon, the Hobey Baker site, Hockey's Future, Jim Diamond, Section 303, and the Forechecker.

In Pred Nation...

J R Lind has a great read on David Freeman and how he has been martyred in spite of all he has done for the Predators.

Jim Diamond has his weekly prospect round-up at the Examiner.

NHL.com has the story of why the Preds will win.

Dirk Hoag has a great look back at the Pred's season month by month.

AJ at PMFF breaks down the good and the bad as the Preds head to the playoffs.

John Glennon has a few quotes from Barry Trotz about the Preds role players needing to "outrole" the other team. John also breaks down five keys for the Pred's to break through the first round of the playoffs.

The Milwaukee Admirals playoff slot is set with the first game on Wednesday. Short Shifts has a prediction that Blake Geoffrion will slide into the injured Hugh Jessiman's slot for the playoffs. Dave Scatchard scored four goals in an 8-1 blowout of the Ad's first round opponent, Chicago. On Sunday, the Ads lost 2-1 to Grand Rapids to close out the regular season.

NHL.com has a good story about the Pred's playoff rookies drawing on past experiences.

The guys over at Bring Back Byakin have adopted the Predators as their team through the playoffs since their Oilers did not make the cut.

Odd Man Rush also looks at contingency plans should the Preds make an exit from the playoffs.

Around the NHL...

Henrik Sedin took the Art Ross trophy after Ovie no showed on Sunday. Here are a couple of more winners of the statistical categories. Congrats to Sidney Crosby, Steve Stamkos and Marty Biron.

It was announced on Saturday that Minnesota would host the 2011 NHL Entry draft on June 24 and 25 next summer.

Ryan at the RLD ranks the goalies in the playoffs by conference. He also has a look at what the standings would have looked like with a three point system.

Scotty Upshall is making good use of his time on Injured Reserve working as the radio analyst for the Coyotes.

Times are hard all around. The Wings are discounting tickets to their first round games. Thir $30 special is only a dollar more than the $29 tickets for the back rows in the Bridgestone high end zone.

Here's what it looks like when you pack up the Stanley Cup (thanks to Dani for the link).

Craig Custance's Sporting News podcast has a new edition up on prospects with Chris Johnson.

Intent to Blow set new records with their revelation about the Sedin Twins. They are not really twins.

The Pens are having a playoff "Beard-a-thon" for charity.

Down Goes Brown looks at the attributes of the retiring Kerry Fraser.

Odds and Ends...

Here's a chance for folks to Chip In for someone who has lost everything. I challenge everyone to go for at least the price of a couple of cups of *$tarbucks.

The Official Blackberry Twitter App is now in public beta. There are a few things I like really well with this including integration into email and text messages. Here is a review with shortcuts.

If you need a refresher on the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger here it is.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass