POTG Friday Headlines, News, and Links

If last night's game four replay between the Preds and Ducks was the most disappointing game in the playoff series, game five, that will be on tonight, is the best. In many ways, the overtime thriller was the turning point in the franchises' history of post-season mediocrity.

The series will wrap up on Saturday night with the Predators clinching the first playoff series in franchise history. After a week of Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Predators-Canucks round two series will be shown starting August 22 on the NHL Network.

Tomorrow night will be a big one for sports in downtown Nashville with the Tennessee Titans having their opening exhibition game on the East side of the river and the Nashville RollerGirls having a bout at the Municipal Auditorium on the West side.

The NRG have a head start with the opening bout at 5:30. OI would suggest an early arrival in order to secure the best parking opportunities.

Make the jump for today's news and links and enjoy your weekend...



Best Article of the Off-Season...

Here is a Google Translate version of an interview with the Kostitsyn brothers that is about as disjointed as an English conversation with Sergei. This article is insanely funny on so many levels and led Jim Diamond to tag Sergei with a new nickname, "Earrings."

In Pred Nation...

AJ has a two-parter on the Preds's $55.3 million question. Here is part one and part two.

PHT finally gets around to the best and worst jerseys for the Predators in their series of all thirty teams. There are certainly no surprises here.

Predatorial looks ahead to the Preds' upcoming season series with the St. Louis Blues. They also compare Nick Spaling to David Legwand.

Hats off to Dirk Hoag who is now being quoted by the Wall Street Journal!

Mark WIlloughby has his weekly "My View" that includes wisdom that money cannot buy. He may be the smartest money manager in the country in addition to being a great hockey writer.

James O'Brien discusses the Predators' defensive choices as it currently stands at PHT.

Around the NHL...

Ryan Porth has moved past this offseason to look at 2013's intrigue. Ryan also has windows of opportunity opening and closing on a few teams. Finally, he projects numbers as to what Drew Doughty may ultimately receive when he signs a new contract.

Puck Daddy has guilty pleasures with our friend Jeff Marek. Good stuff.

Brian Burke is in no hurry to get Matthew Lombardi back on the ice during his recovery from concussion symptoms.

As I've said before, I'll believe it when the deal is done, but a group of Canadians allegedly is close to a deal to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

A teams image extends beyond the logo according to Adam Proteau.

Ottawa is expected to have issues scoring in the coming season with a serious lack of offensive firepower.

Ice the Office is pushing for three on three in OT before a shootout which will be tried at the R and D camp next week.

Houses of the Hockey has a few suggestions of other rules to try at the R and D camp.

It is sad that Milan Lucic is having to avoid the public with his Stanley Cup celebration in Vancouver.

NHL.com has updated the thin list of UFA's that are still out there for the pickings.

Thomas Drance has an interesting article on the perception problem of Vancouver fans.

Our friend Nick Case is starting a year interning with the Pittsburgh Penguins and vows to tell the story here.

KingsCast has episode 118 with plenty of summer filler. You can even but their line of T-shirts.

William Morrison at Kuklas seems to think Nino Niederreiter is ready to make the jump to the Islanders this season.

Sports Business Daily has some interesting statistics about who Tweets in sports.

Odds and Ends...

J.R. Lind takes a look at the Tennessee Titans who appear to be on their way to wearing no clothes.

Two partially stripped down Space Shuttles were trading places at KSC yesterday which may be one of the final opportunities to see two shuttles side by side in one place as they are each heading in different directions.

With more acres burned near the Grand Canyon, Arizona has now set the record for wildfires in a given year.

Michelle Kenneth has been beating the drum of older moms dressing like their teenage daughters and now CNN has picked up on it.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass