POTG Friday Headlines and Morning Links

Today is officially Predators Playoff Pride day so wear your Preds gear all day long. We will have our game preview up shortly.

If you notice, in the right column, we have links to all the Ducks media sites so you can keep up with what is brewing in the Ducks world during the playoff series.

After the jump, we have the latest news on the Predators, Ducks and the rest of the NHL.



In Pred Nation...

Today is officially Preds Playoff Pride Day in Smashville. Celebrate by wearing your gear all day long.

Josh Cooper looks at the Predators' winning attitude and discusses Ray Emery and Mike Fisher seeking redemption from their 2007 Stanley Cup finals loss while at Ottawa.

John Manasso is writing for FS TN during the playoffs and asks whether the Preds can continue to shut down the Ducks top line.

David Boclair reports that he Predators saved themselves some concern by scoring on the power play early in game one. 

Chris Burton discusses the dirty tactics of the Ducks in game one.

Curtis Zupke talked to Jon Blum about playing in his hometown.

Dirk Hoag found Ray Giles' Tootoo Train song at You Tube.Many of you may not recognize Ray with out his striped shirt that he has worn for years as a hockey referee around town. Ray played this song for us on lower Broad one night about a year ago after a game. If you see him around town. He would love to talk hockey with you. Here is a video of Ray in action calling a penalty on eight year old Jackson.

Dirk also looks at Predators past and present as top defenesemen.

Jim Diamond has a really interesting story of how hockey has played a part in "curing" a young many from autism.

Paul McCann has One Down (15 to go).

Interesting note from @kcwilson: Just received word the Pierre McGuire  and Chris Cuthbert will be making an appearance in Smashville for Game 3 on Sunday

Robby Stanley sees a golden opportunity for the Predators.

Colin Wilson and Barry Trotz discuss Wilson's first healthy scratch that he can remember.

Our friend Su Ring jumped on the Preds bandwagon with her first Preds story at Chicks Who Give a Puck.

Jeff Marek has an interesting angle on the Preds at the end of this post.

Pete Weber gave his morning after report to Mike Ross on NHL Home Ice yesterday.

Sam Page has video proof that Corey Perry is a dork.

Mark Willoughby has some meaty stuff in his weekly "My View."

The stat of the day involves part-time Preds color guy Stu Grimson from @THNJohnGrigg NHL stat of the day: Lowest career points-per-game-average (min. 500 GP) courtesy Stu Grimson. 0.05 PPGA. 39 points in 729 games. Wowza.

Here is ex-Pred news from @reporterchris: Marek Svatos won't play for Slovakia on home soil in the world championship. He suffered a concussion just before the end of the season.

The Milwaukee Admirals won game one of their series with the Texas Stars 5-2 behind the combined nine points of Chris Mueller and Gabriel Bourque.

On the Duck Pond...

Here's a look at Pekka Rinne's opening game from a Duck perspective.

Ray Emery claims to be ready for game two if he is called.

In Thursday's Ducks practice notes, Randy Carlyle didn't like much from Wednesday's game.

Adam Brady said the mood around the Ducks was disappointment after their poor showing in game one.

There also was some tinkering on the Ducks first line and no hints as to the game two goalie for the Ducks.

Around the NHL...

Ryan Porth looks at a postseason of redemption for several teams.

Justin Bourne has the inside story of what playoff preparation is all about.

Here is the latest Top 100 Goalie ranking from the Goalie Guild. Anders Lindback checks in at #5, Mark Dekanich is #23, Atte Engren is #36, Chet Pickard is #38, and Jeremy Smith is at #52.

On opening night, the dreaded overtime in the early game wiping out the start of the second game happened at Versus.Steve Lapore looks at what could be done. Dispite the complaints, Versus was up 12% on opening night.

After a lot of cat and mouse games, it was finally announced that Chris Pronger would sit out game one against the Sabres.

Adam Proteau has some love for the Preds in his Award ballot.

Michael Langlois takes a look at Phil Kessel declining an invitation to play in the World Championships. Brian Burke is a big proponent of post season play since his players aren't in the playoffs.

Here is a preview of the first round of the Calder Cup from The Hockey News.

Is there a flame where this smoke is coming from in Winnipeg? If so, Gary Betman may be ready to consider a move for the Coyotes.

Our friend Nick Case from South Carolina included us in his Eastern and Western Conference preview. Thanks for asking us to be a part of your project.

Odds and Ends...

Here a graphical look inside the International Space Station.

ABC made a stunning announcement that "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" have been canceled. "General Hospital" survives.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass