"What better place than here, what better time than now?" - Rage Against The Machine

Finally, game day is here. Tonight, the Preds host the Colorado Avalanche, who thus far have have raised a few eyebrows by beating San Jose and Vancouver handily, both teams that were division champions last season. Craig Anderson is making the most out of his opportunity to establish himself as a number one goalie. Anderson has been nursing a sore groin, which is a tough thing to heal as a goaltender, for the last few days and is beginning to look questionable to start the game tonight. It is known that Ellis will get the nod tonight for protecting the Nashville net. Dumont, Tootoo and Wilson are out with Ward being a game-day decision. Ward has been on injured reserve with a strained groin since early in training camp, and has just been skating with the team in practices for the last 2 days, so don't be surprised if there is an emergency call-up from Milwaukee. I would expect the most likely players to be called up would be Spaling, Thurreson or O'Rielly. The Preds will be looking to use the energy of the famous Nashville crowd to get an early start, and will have to focus that energy to keep Colorado from getting an early advantage. Naturally the boys in blue will be running on adrenaline, and will have to maintain discipline until the nerves are worked through. The Central division is ridiculously tough this year and the Preds will have to play with a lot of heart to stay in the playoff race. Like the RATM song "Guerilla Radio" says, "It has to start somewhere/It has to start sometime/What better place than here/what better time than now?"

In other roster news, the Preds made a depth signing yesterday, signing Dave Scatchard to a one-year, two-way contract that will pay him $550k at the NHL level and $105k at the AHL. I don't expect Scatchard to ever make it to the Preds roster unless he impresses in a big way in Milwaukee.

I will be sitting in section 309 Row L, next to the press box this season. Feel free to stop by and say hello. See you at the game tonight. - Big Kev