I was ready to do it. I was ready to go to the dark side and root for the Red Wings to win tonight at Joe Louis Arena against the Nashville Predators. The motivation was that I didn't want the Wings to lose because I wanted the Blues to win Saturday night against Columbus and clinch on their own.
And then I went back and looked at the standings and realized that if the Predators win, they would still be mathematically alive for the division crown. So I would be rooting for the Red Menace for no reason. Well hell, I can't do that.
Let's Go Predators! That's right, I'm the biggest Nashville fan you've ever seen who's never actually rooted for the Preds in a game before tonight, and may never do it again. Otherwise, I'm totally jumping on the bandwagon. For like four hours. Because a Red Wings loss, even in overtime or the shootout, and they can't win the division. And the only way the Preds can still win the Central is to win out and the Blues not collect a point in their final four games. So yeah, a lot of things would have to go perfect for them and disastrous for the Blues. But I would think there is a minute chance the Blues don't seal the deal on home ice Saturday night against Columbus.
Yes, the same team the Blues clinched a playoff spot in 2009 against is the same team the Blues can defeat to clinch the division. And instead of Ken Hitchcock piloting that sinking ship from Central Ohio, he'll be firing the torpedoes from the Blues bench. Huzzah!
I love country music. For one day. I love me some Titans and Vols and whatever else comes from Tennessee. We need to live in a world of eliminated from division contention Red Wings. And we need to live in that world tonight.
Man, that is so much easier to do that root for the Red Wings. That would have raped a small bit of my soul.
So how about ya'll? Let's Go Predators?