Smashville Scope: May 27

For the past 10 weeks, we've wondered what a return to hockey might look like this summer. On week 11, the NHL turned those hypotheticals into reality.
With
an announcement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday afternoon
, the Nashville Predators
officially became one of the 24 teams slated to participate
in the League's Return To Play Plan, a setup the League hopes to utilize this summer to get its clubs back on the ice and eventually award the Stanley Cup.
The NHL is hopeful games could be played starting in late July or early August, but no firm dates were given due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and what the situation could look like in the months to come.

However, real plans are a welcome reprieve from the last two months that were filled with uncertainty surrounding a potential return.
Those plans are outlined in greater detail here
, and while questions still exist when it comes to actually beginning the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there is perhaps more optimism for a return now than at any other point in the process - and that's some welcome news we can all use.

Preds to Face Coyotes in Return To Play Plan:

If the puck does indeed drop this summer, the Predators would see the Arizona Coyotes on the other side of the ice first.
Nashville received the sixth seed in the Western Conference under the NHL's plan, an order that was determined by point percentage in games played through March 11 when the season was paused. Arizona, a team that would have been on the outside of the typical playoff picture, gets the 11th seed in the West under the 24-team plan.
The series between the Preds and Yotes will be a best-of-five meeting in a hub city that has yet to be determined.
Nashville and Arizona earned 1-1-0 records against one another during the 2019-20 season, and the third meeting that was set to take place at Gila River Arena in late March has since been canceled. The Coyotes topped the Predators by a 5-2 final in Arizona back in October, before the Preds defeated the Yotes, 3-2, at Bridgestone Arena two days before Christmas.
The winner of this qualifying round would then go on to face one of the top four seeds in the West in the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There are still plenty of logistics to work out over the coming weeks, and the NHL, along with the NHLPA, is tasked with deciphering those details, while continuing to monitor the feasibility of hosting all of this amid the pandemic.
But, make no mistake - everyone wants to play again. If there is a way to do so, the NHL will make it happen, and the Preds would get their shot at the ultimate prize, starting against the desert dogs.

Preds to Host Blood Drive June 1:

The need for blood donations is greater than ever, and the Predators are partnering with the American Red Cross to host eight different blood drives on June 1. The drives will be held all throughout the region with options in Nashville, Franklin, Smyrna, Lebanon, Goodlettsville, Dickson and Clarksville in Tennessee, as well as an option in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
All eight sites will be open from 12 to 7 p.m. CT on June 1, and all presenting donors, who make an appointment online, will receive a Pred Head T-shirt and be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card to Nashville Locker Room.
Click here for more information and to sign up using sponsor code Preds19
.

Fox Sports Tennessee Airing Golden Classics:

Every win from Nashville's run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final continues to be re-aired, and the Western Conference Final has arrived.
Predators Golden Classics are showcasing all 14 of Nashville's victories from that spring, and after defeating the Blackhawks and the Blues, the Ducks are up next. James Neal's overtime winner in Game 1 of the 2017 West Final was shown on Tuesday night, and a Game 3 win from Nashville is up next on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT
Stay tuned for a full schedule of remaining games, and be sure to tune in for the beginning game of each series, as well as the clinching game, as they'll start with reflections from Preds broadcasters Willy Daunic and Chris Mason, as well as some special guest appearances along the way. Viktor Arvidsson, Colton Sissons, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and Pekka Rinne will offer their insight on some of the top moments from the run as the playoffs continue along.
Plus, not only will those in the Predators viewing area be able to enjoy the replays, but the games will also be shown throughout the entire Fox Sports South region, including into the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

Virtual Preds Advance to Stanley Cup Final:

Thanks to wins over the Golden Knights, Canucks and Blues, the Predators have now advanced to the virtual 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Nashville will face the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers as they vie for the top prize.
The Predators are using EA Sports' "NHL20" video game to simulate every playoff game and determine a virtual 2020 Stanley Cup Champion. Each Preds game is streamed live on @PredsNHL Twitter, Twitch, Facebook and YouTube.
A full schedule of the virtual 2020 Stanley Cup Final will be released on Thursday morning.

Eat With Us Bingo Underway:

Playing bingo has never been so delicious.
Eat With Us Bingo presented by 102.5 The Game is now underway, and it's simple to play. Fans can dine in, carry out or pick up curbside food at any of the Eat With Us Game partners to win a Nashville Predators Prize Pack or player autographed puck.
From now through June 15, go to Twitter (@PredsNHL or @102.5 The Game) and print out the Eat With Us Game presented by 102.5 The Game Playing Card. Dine in, carry out or pick up curbside food at any of the Eat With Us Game partners and receive a completion sticker from the restaurant. Simply add the sticker to your Eat With Us Playing Card and take a photo of the playing card and post it on Twitter, tag @PredsNHL and @1025TheGame, use hashtag #EatWithUs and restaurant name
Secure eight stickers and receive a Nashville Predators Prize Pack, or post all 16 stickers and receive a Nashville Predators player autographed puck.
Click here for a full list of participating restaurants and for more details on how to play
. Happy eating!

Predators Official Podcast:

On the three-year anniversary of his hat trick performance in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, Predators forward Colton Sissons joins the Preds Official Podcast. Brooks Bratten and Thomas Willis explain the potential for the NHL to return to a 24-team playoff format, with the Preds facing the Coyotes.

Forsberg, Smith Finding Creative Activities:

Predators players continue to stay active and keep in shape in preparation for a potential resumption of hockey this summer, and a pair of Preds impressed with their recent endeavors.
First, Filip Forsberg and his girlfriend, Erin Alvey, pulled off quite a trick shot with a soccer ball, basketball hoop, and yes, a unicycle.

Additionally, Preds forward Craig Smith took his miniature goldendoodle, Tula, out for a spin on his rollerblades, and it's difficult to tell who's enjoying it more.

Thanks for the exercise inspiration and entertainment, gentlemen.

Hal Gill Had A Dream:

We all want hockey back, Preds broadcaster Hal Gill included.
Luckily for us, the former NHL defenseman turned radio color commentator for the Predators had a dream a couple of weeks back, and he re-enacted those visions in a hilarious spoof of the rest of Nashville's broadcast personalities.
On a personal note, as someone who has spent time on the road with all of these folks, the impersonations are dead on. Enjoy.