We're Back ! POTG Friday Headlines, News, and Links

After a disastrous 20.5 hours of outage due to the Blogger platform having a major meltdown, we are finally back. It seems like it was a lot longer. Here is Blogger's explanation and apology.

There are seven or eight posts still missing and we have been assured that all of them will return which will include all of our video from the final Preds presser.

I've been pimping a story about Shane O'Brien from October as preparation for a season ending story that will be up shortly so thanks to those who have patiently waited. As time permits we will have other things up as the day goes on and a bunch of third round preview stuff this weekend including what the Predators had to say about Ryan Kesler's performance against then in round two.

Follow the jump for a jam packed post of news and stuff...




Programming Note…

RLD Hockey Radio has moved to a special Friday at Noon CDT for this weeks edition. Ryan Porth has lined up Kevin Allen of USA Today to help us with our third round preview show. Here is Kevin’s view of the Eastern Finals from yesterday. Join us for should be an excellent show.

In Pred Nation...

J.R. Lind has a masterpiece of an article at The Nashville Scene on the love of a team and it’s fans at the Bridgestone Arena.

David Boclair points out that this year’s improved playoff performance will pay off in the long run.

Brian Mullen looka at the potential of a bigger payday for Joel Ward in free agency.

David Poile was on The Power Play on NHL Home Ice yesterday. Here is the audio.

Pete Weber was on HNIC Radio yesterday with Jeff Marek.

Amanda Dipaolo wonders if Joel Ward will return. He would like to come back.

Jim Diamond has stories with Shane O’Brien and Steve Sullivan.

Is Mitch Korn Nashville’s most vital free agent?

Surgery news from @lisawallace29: #Preds @mikefisher1212 is having shoulder surgery monday
Preds Prospect Craig Smith was named one of the top three players for Team USA at the World Championships as he led the team with three goals and three assists.

Another Preds prospect, Jani Lajunen helped Finland beat Norway at the World Championships.
Puck Daddy continued to stir up the masses on the potential of an Alex Radulov return. Folks, it isn't going to happen.

The Copper and Blue goes deep into the stats to analyze the Preds-Nucks series.

Cowhide and Rubber looks at a tangled Weber. Habs fans would give almost anything for Shea Weber.

Sarah Fuqua has a piece on Mattias EkHolm at Section 303. Jermey Gover has a piece on Frankie Bouillon too.

From @mirtle: From HNIC: "Van-Nsh series on CBC delivered an average audience of 2.978 million, making it CBC’s highest-rated single Round 2 series ever."

Around the NHL...

Last night’s game seven between the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks was everything that was expected and more with the Sharks winning 3-2 in a thriller. That finalizes the Western Confernce Final with the Sharks facing the Vancouver Canucks.

Russia beat Canada 2-1 in World Championship quarter final.
In spite of rumors of an announcement about a move by The Brady Blog, Bill Daly denied any moves on the horizon for the Atlanta Thrashers. Later in the day, Daly was a little more ambiguous in his denials.

Elliotte Friedman says that it is time for the league to come clean on the whole relocation issue.

The Dreger Report says that the Winter Classic will most likely be between the Flyers and Rangers at Citizens Bank Park (baseball) which would drive huge ratings for HBO's 24/7 with John Tortorella being the star.

Mirtle has a look at how Steve Yzerman built the Lightning so quickly.

Ryan Porth looks at which free agent’s stock have gone up and down during the playoffs.

B D Gallof checks in with his thoughts on the Islanders’ arena situation.

Steve Lapore has the details of the conference finals coverage on NBC/Versus.

Sidney Crosby is still not working out after an April 20 setback.

Manny Malhotra skated briefly yesterday in Vancouver.

Fred Poulin had ten oversized players in the NHL but forgot Nashville’s 13 feet of goalie tandem.

Here is a rather random list of top 50 NHL blogs. It seems odd that no Preds blog made the list.

The Lightning’s playoff games won out over Toy Story on Ice for the dates at the St. Pete Times forum.

The Quebec Hockey Summit is set for this summer.

Stars goalie prospect, Jack Campbell wrapped up an interesting season riding the pine pony at the World Championships.

The Score has some failed team slogans.


Odds and Ends...

Gearing up for The Hangover, Ed Helms is hosting Saturday Night Live tomorrow night.

When the Hubble telescope looked at nothing, it found billions of galaxies.

It appears that Florida accidentally banned sex among humans.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass