NASH DAILY: Generosity of Predators, Stars to Conference Final

Prior to the dust settling in Dallas, Texas last night the Nashville Predators announced a record-breaking feat by distributing 172 Helper Grants the organization announced.

The grants total $800,049.29 the largest one-time donation in the Nashville Predators Foundation history. It’ll become official tomorrow as a ceremony will take place in Bridgestone Arena’s Atrium starting at 10 a.m.

Emcees for the ceremony are team broadcasters, Hal Gill and Chris Mason. Former chairman of the board of the Nashville Predators Gerry Helper will be present as well.

Senior advisor and soon-to-be general manager Barry Trotz will be alongside captain Roman Josi on Wednesday in front of representatives from all 172 charities receiving Predators Foundation Grants.

“The Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in financial grants to Nashville and Middle Tennessee community service and charitable organizations,” the Predators said in a press release.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

The final four is set in the Stanely Cup Playoffs as the Dallas Stars took down the Seattle Kraken 2-1 in Game 7 Tuesday night.

This is the first time in Stanley Cup Playoff history that the final four teams left are based in “Sun Belt” states in the United States.

Stars rookie Wyatt Johnston scored the eventual game-winner as he floated a backhander past Philip Grubauer at 12:48 of the third period, his fourth goal of the postseason.

HE TURNED 20 YESTERDAY…. TWENTY pic.twitter.com/oehqI191Qw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 16, 2023

Joe Pavelski set a new franchise record for the Stars scoring eight goals in their second-round matchup against the Kraken. The 38-year-old happens to also be housing Johnston throughout the season.

Roope Hintz broke the silence in the American Airlines Center scoring 36 minutes into the contest in the second period, his ninth goal of the playoffs in 13 games.

On the flip side, the Kraken made the largest points improvement (40) for an expansion franchise from year one to two. They took down the defending Stanley Cup victor Colorado Avalanche in the first round in seven games and their head coach Dave Hakstol is a finalist for the Jack Adams award.

Stars head coach Peter DeBoer is now 7-0 all-time as a head coach in Game 7s.

Vegas Hockey Now

The slate of games are set in the Western Conference Final between the Golden Knights and the Stars. These two squads last met in the 2020 conference final, the Stars won that series in five games last time out.

See the latest on the schedule here.

Goaltender Adin Hill made 38 saves for the Golden Knights on Sunday evening to take them to the conference final in six games. He’s only seen five games of action all-time in the postseason, all this current season.

Vegas defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 to clinch their fourth trip to the conference final in six years of existence in the NHL.

Florida Hockey Now

For the first time in the NHL postseason the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are set to face off in hopes of reaching the final round.

Meanwhile, the three Staal brothers; Jordan, Eric, and Marc will battle it out in search of getting four games closer to winning the silver hardware.

Jordan is the captain of the Hurricanes while Eric used to captain the same team and won the Stanley Cup in 2006. Eric joined the Panthers on a one-year deal with his brother Marc who is the lone defenseman of the group.

IIHF: Team USA defeated Germany 3-2 on Tuesday as TJ Tynan had two helpers finding Matt Coronato and Ronnie Attard.

The Americans will have a day of rest before taking on Austria on Wednesday at 10:20 a.m. CT.

Follow us on Twitter @nshhockeynow & @KieserNick