Predators tied for fourth in wild West race

By Bud L. Ellis

Tied with two other teams for fourth place in the Western Conference standings, the Nashville Predators are part of a wild race for the NHL playoffs.

The Predators have 50 points at the midpoint of their 82-game season. Nashville is tied with Colorado and Anaheim for fourth, and sits just one point ahead of Phoenix and Chicago, which are tied for seventh.

With spots No. 9 through No. 12 in the West within four points of the Coyotes and Blackhawks, it’s important for everybody to play well. Nashville is 5-5-0 in its past five games, and will play host to Minnesota on Tuesday night.

The Predators will play three of their next four on the road after the home date with the Wild. Nashville travels to Florida on Thursday, then plays a home-and-home with Chicago this weekend. The Predators play host to the Blackhawks on Saturday, then head to Chicago on Sunday. Tuesday, Nashville plays at Phoenix.

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Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm by bud

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