Live from Nashville....

Greetings from Music City Saturday readers....

First off, many thanks to to Newsday's Arthur Staple for covering for me in Florida while I spent time with the family and extended family over the holiday.

But I'm here in downtown Nashville this morning, prepping to walk over to the optional (or Opry-nal) skate...Will send a dispatch or two in about an hour. And remember to follow me at twitter.com/stevezipay

In between then and the game, may stop at Ernest Tubbs Reciord Store for some guitar picks/Christmas presents and hmmm....I'm looking for a pair of black boots...

Anyway, tonight’s game (8 p.m. start in NY) will conclude a brutal stretch of nine in 14 days. December will be far kinder, with only 12 games overall, six of them at home. And three of the six away games won’t require flights: against the Islanders on Dec. 2, in Philadelphia on Dec. 18, and in New Jersey on Dec. 29.

Last season, the Predators beat Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers 2-1 at Madison Square Garden on Feb 10. Neither of the players involved in the goal will play at Bridgestone Arena tonight. Vinny Prospal (knee surgery) scored on a 5-on-3 power play with an assist from Olli Jokinen, who is now with Calgary….Rangers won here on March 12, 2009, 4-2.