For the Columbus Blue Jackets
Derick Brassard Penguins Jersey , it’s about playoff positioning.
For the Nashville Predators, it’s about fun and tuning up for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
Saturday night’s regular-season finale in Bridgestone Arena can make the difference between a potential first-round series with two-time Stanley Cup
champion Pittsburgh for Columbus (45-29-7) or maybe falling all the way to a
wild card and a matchup with a division champion.
As for Nashville (52-18-11), it took care of its remaining regular-season business in one fell swoop Thursday night. Shortly after clinching the Central
Division title and the Western Conference’s top seed with a 4-3 win in
Washington, the Predators watched the end of Boston’s 3-2 loss in Florida on
locker room TVs.
That assured Nashville of the league’s top regular-season record, which means it will have home-ice advantage for any playoff series. Or to put it another
way, if it carries its home games, it will hoist the Cup for the first time in
franchise history.
“All year we’ve talked about doing the best we can and it’s always been just about home ice,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “The guys did an
incredible job of staying really focused and fairly consistent with their game,
and because of it, we sit where we sit.”
Which means Nashville has earned the right to play this game any way it sees fit. It can play to win, it can play some of its mainstays to keep them
sharp
Authentic Vontaze Burfict Jersey , or it can rest everyone and basically call up its AHL affiliate from Milwaukee for the night.
Laviolette is tight-lipped under any circumstance, and with the playoffs looming, doubly so. Don’t expect any big pronouncements concerning a lineup
until Saturday’s morning skate, if then, but it wouldn’t be surprising if
multiple regulars got the “maintenance night” treatment they’ve received during
the last month.
“It’s big for the organization,” said right winger Craig Smith, who scored two goals Thursday night. “A lot of guys have put in a lot of hard work and a
lot of time to produce a season like that. We’re having fun with each other and
holding each other accountable to get out there and play for each other, so it’s
great.”
While the Predators can treat this game however they desire, the Blue Jackets are likely chasing the two points. Even though they’ll open the Eastern
Conference playoffs on the road, they’re at least in there, clinching despite
Thursday night’s 5-4 overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
This will be the first time that Columbus has made consecutive playoff appearances.
“We were the youngest team in the league most of the year
Cheap Vita Vea Jersey ,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “If you want to continue to build your organization and find your way and be that team that’s
going to be there all the time, you have to experience it. You can’t be in one
year, lose in five games and then take two years to be back in it.”
Nashville is looking for a sweep in the season series. It posted a 3-1 win on Nov. 7 in Columbus, scoring two goals in the last five minutes.
When a new coach comes in, it’s always interesting to see who lines up with the first-team
units.
One of the surprises for the New York Giants was seeing Josh Mauro at defensive end during the first practice at organized team activities this
week.
Mauro knows the 3-4 system that is being installed by new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. The drawback is that the five-year veteran is not
going to be on the field when new coach Pat Shurmur and the Giants open the
season at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will be starting a four-game
suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The NFL handed down the suspension days after the 27-year-old Mauro signed a one-year contract with the Giants. The team knew it was coming before signing
him.
”They have confidence in me,” Mauro said. ”They are giving me an opportunity here. I just want to give them everything I have to return that favor. It means
a lot to me and I want to give them everything I have.”
Mauro has accepted responsibility for using the drug. He purchased an over-the-counter supplement and didn’t know it contained a banned substance. A
trace amount of it was found in a test. It was not present in a test a week
later.
Mauro, who released a statement after the suspension explaining what happened, wants everyone to know that he is not a cheater.
”Once you step away from this game all you have is your name,” Mauro said. ”You can have your accomplishments, your stats, whatever else
Mike McGlinchey Jersey , individual or team successes you’ve had, but it’s just important for me to let everyone know the circumstances beyond
that.”
Mauro could be a key player for Bettcher, who coached him for three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Along with linebacker Kareem Martin, he can explain
the new system to his teammates.
He also doesn’t see a team that was 3-13 last season.
”There are a lot of positives up here,” the former Stanford product said. ”This is probably the toughest division (NFC East) in the NFL, so there are a
lot of opportunities to play great teams. And just this city, it’s the ultimate
football city.”
Mauro may train with the Giants and participate in training camp. Once his suspension starts, he cannot be with the team unless he is getting treatment for
an injury.
Mauro, who started 26 games for the Cardinals with 75 tackles and two sacks, plans to meet with the staff before the suspension starts to get a workout
routine.
While they traded Jason Pierre-Paul in the offseason, the Giants have depth at the end spot with Olivier Vernon
Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey , Kerry Wynn, Romeo Okwara and Avery Moss. They are heavy at the tackle spots with Damon Harrison, Dalvin Thompson, Robert
Thomas and rookie draft picks RJ McIntosh and B.J. Hill.
NOTES: The Giants signed veteran receiver Russell Shepard, who has played five seasons in the NFL. He was released by the Carolina Panthers last week. To
make room on the 90-man roster, first year cornerback Tim Scott was released. He
played in one game last season.
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