POTG Saturday's Headlines, News, and Links

Today we enter the Conference finals with the Tampa Bay Lightning traveling to Boston to play the Bruins at 7 p.m. CDT on Versus. We will have a preview and predictions later today.

We offer our sincere condolences and prayers for the family of  Derek Boogaard who passed away unexpectedly on Friday night.

Again we apologize to our readers for the Blogger outage on Thursday and Friday. Most everything has been restored but one post was recreated and is missing a few links. We had a ton of stuff yesterday and complete coverage from the Preds final presser that is all up now. Check it out.

Make the jump for today's headlines, news, and links.


In Pred Nation....

Big news of the day in Nashville is the continued non-story of the rumor of Alexander Radulov's return to the Predators. Dmitry Chesnokov makes an economic argument for Rads' return. Paul McCann also has a story.

Dirk Hoag has his morning round-up at On The Forecheck. They also have the story of the Predators taking out a full page ad in the Tennessean and the report card for Marty Erat.

Preds prospect Jani Lajunen scored for the second game in a row as Finland advanced to the finals against Sweden. Pred property Antti Philstrom is on the same line at Lajunen who will be in Milwaukee in the fall. The finals will be held on Sunday.

Jeremy Gover has his exit interview with Pekka Rinne and asks if you want Alex Radulov back.
Music City Mindset has part two of their year end look at the Preds.

Paul McCann talks about Brent Peterson leaving the ice.

Robby at HNIN wants to know who you are rooting for.

Mark Willoughby has his weekly "My View" where he stats that "I do" is the longest sentence in the English language.

Picks and Predictions...

Here are some picks from On The Forecheck, E J Hradek,and Bill Beacon and Chris Johnston from the CP.

RLD Hockey has their East and West previews and a look at the Conn Smythe leaders. They also have the Saturday Faceoff on if this is San Jose's year.

The Globe and Mail has the final four depth charts.

Pucked in the Head has Seven Things about the Sharks-Nucks series.

Around the NHL...

The news of the day on Friday was the video of Mikeal Granlund's lacrosse-style goal for Finland at the World Championships.

Craig Custance takes a look at Derek Boogaard through the eyes of ex-teammate Wes Walz. Mike Russo also has his take on the Boogyman's passing.

Kevin Allen says the NHL needs to make an effort to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta while Gary Bettman refutes that they are moving.

The Winter Classic in Philadelphia is seeming more like a done deal.

Michael Grabner signed a five year deal with the Islanders

Nick Lidstrom will decide on a return before July 1. Mike Brophy has a story about his place in history.

The Business of sports talks dynamic ticket pricing with Barry Kahn of Qcue who designed a system to implement it.

Down Goes Brown takes a look at the NHL brief to the NHL legal case.

Intent to Blow has the story of two Red Wings who will be suspended for circumvention of Rule 48.

Odds and Ends...

This guy has a measured approach to the Blogger outage that I agree with.

Ex-Titans coach Jeff Fisher is having his final charity softball game on June 18.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass