The Nashville Predators continued a critical five game road trip in Vancouver to face the Canucks. The Predators were looking to build on the momentum of a win in Dallas in the first game of this swing, and the task was going to be difficult as Rogers Arena has not been a hospitable place for the Predators.
The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Canucks went with Roberto Luongo.
The game was a wild affair, with the Predators making numerous mistakes and those aforementioned mistakes wound up in the back of the predators net.
Yet the Predators, facing a monumental deficit going into the third period continued to battle back before eventually falling to the Canucks by a 7-4 margin.
While that sounds like the Canucks ran away with the game, the Predators scrambled back in the third period to draw within a a one goal margin at 5-4. The Canucks stretched the margin to 6-4 on a penalty shot by Henrik Sedin and the final score was an empty net goal by David Booth.
Some observations:
Rinne...Wasn't Rinne
After pitching a shutout in his previous game, Rinne gave up 4 goals on 12 shots. I don't fault Rinne on all of the goals he allowed, but he wasn't as sharp as he usually is. The Predators have to have near perfection from Rinne to win, and tonight, he did not have his best game. Rinne was pulled early in the second period in favor of Chris Mason.
The Young Pups Were The Leaders
Matt Halischuk had a goal and an assist; Nick Spaling had a goal; and Gabriel Bourque tallied his team leading 8th goal, which was a beauty. The young guys brought a 60 minute effort and stepped up their game when the Predators were in danger of being run out of the barn. It bodes well for the Predators that the youngsters are producing and contributing solid minutes. Maybe some of the veterans can take a cue from the play of these young players.
Mike Fisher Is Quietly Playing Some Solid Hockey
Fisher had a goal and has been leading with hustle and physical play. After a slow start to his season, Fisher has been consistent and solid. Again, there are some players on the roster that should follow his example.
Can Marty Erat Find His Game?
Let's face it- Marty is having a miserable season. He has been a passenger for most of the season and has contributed nothing to this team. Marty has too much talent to be this unproductive, but the sad fact remains that the team needs Marty and he is nowhere to be found. If the Predators are going to have success in the regular season, much less the playoffs, Marty is going to have to contribute. The question is how much longer can the coaching staff continue to allow Marty to have big minutes without any production?
How Long Before...
we see Austin Watson or Taylor Beck make an appearance? They are having stellar campaigns in Milwaukee and appear ready to make the jump to the big club. With players such as Erat, David Legwand, and Sergei Kostitsyn not contributing, the Predators may be ready to give these guys a shot at producing on the NHL level.
Final Thoughts
This game looked like it was going to get even uglier than it was going into the third period. Kudos to team for showing some heart and battling back. Like any fan, I don't like the loss, but there are positives on which to build. There was fight and grit in this team, and they kept pressing and scrapping to get back into the game. At 5-4, this was anyones game. By not folding their tent, the Predators showed that they can battle back against bleak odds.
Build on that, boys.
You will need to draw on that positive in upcoming games.
My three stars:
1.Jannik Hansen
2. Andrew Ebbett
3. Matt Halischuk
Showing posts with label Henrik Sedin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Henrik Sedin. Show all posts
Friday, March 15, 2013
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Vancouver Slips Past the Predators in a Shootout 4-3
Two plays.
Two plays victimized the Predators in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks at the Bridgestone Arena. Two defensive breakdowns led to two quick first period goals by the Canucks en route to a 3-1 first period lead. The Predators fought back to force the shootout, but fell in the sixth round to the Canucks as the visitors won the shootout 2-1.
Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators, and he gave up the first goal of the game with Vancouver on a power play. Ryan Kessler beat Rinne with a snap shot from just inside the face off circle at 11:42 of the first period. To this point in the game, the Predators had out shot the Canucks 9-3.
The Predators answered at 13:47 of the first as Colin Wilson took a pass from David Legwand and fired a wrist shot a Roberto Luongo. Bobby Lou let the puck slip between his arm and his body for the tying goal.
With the home crowd in full throat and momentum with the Predators, it appeared as if they had an opportunity to get control of the game.
That is when the first of two bad plays by the Predators occurred.
The Predators were caught in a bad line change and the Canucks capitalized. Byron Bitz scored off a feed from Henrik Sedin as he walked in on Rinne and beat him with a quick wrist shot. The Predators defensive coverage was not in position, and the Canucks made them pay for the mistake at 18:21.
Just 23 seconds later, Daniel Sedin split the defense of Kevin Klein and Roman Josi and buried a shot from the low slot to give the Canucks a 3-1 lead.
Two bad plays, two goals, and another hole for the Predators.
This is the Predators, however, a team that fears no deficit.
The Predators had mounted good pressure against Luongo and the Canucks defense in the first period, and they continued to pressure the Canucks in the second. Time to chip away and get back in the game.
That is exactly what they did just 4:14 into the second period. Kevin Klein took a shot from the blue line, and it hit the skate of Sergei Kostitsyn, who was cutting across the slot. The puck re-directed off the skate of Kostitsyn and past Luongo. After a brief review, the goal was called good by the replay officials and the Predators trailed 3-2.
The Predators would tie the game at 3 at 5:16 of the second as Shea Weber took a shot from the blue line that hit Mike Fisher and squirted between the pads of Luongo. As Luongo moved, the puck was deflected off his leg and trickled over the goal line.
The ability of the Predators to battle back from another deficit, especially against a great team like the Canucks was heartening. It just felt as if the Predators momentum would carry them to a goal that would give them the lead.
It was not to be as both goalies took over the game. Both Rinne and Luongo made some big saves in the remainder of the second period as well as the third period to keep the game knotted at 3. There were times where the Predators controlled the puck in the Vancouver zone and created some good chances, but could not solve Luongo.
The same held true for the Canucks, as they used their excellent cycling ability to control the puck and create some chances. Rinne was up to the task, and the game went to overtime.
In the overtime period, the Predators controlled the puck and had 3 shots on goal, while the Canucks managed 2. Neither team found the net. For the game, the Predators out shot the Canucks 40-31.
In the shootout, Rinne stopped Mason Raymond and Ryan Kessler before Alexander Burrows scored off a nice backhand move. Luongo stopped Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat missed the net. With the game on the line, David Legwand beat Luongo with a backhand to extend the shootout.
Rinne stoned Daniel Sedin and Cody Hodgson before Alex Edler beat him five hole. Luongo stopped Ryan Ellis and Mike Fisher.
With the game on the line, Colin Wilson beat Luongo with a backhand but the puck just went outside the far post, and the Canucks escaped with a 4-3 win.
Vancouver is one of the elite teams in the NHL, and for the Predators to battle back and force the shootout speaks volumes about their effort and their compete level. Two bad plays bit the Predators, and against an opponent the caliber of the Canucks, that can- and did- cost the game.
I especially was impressed with the play of Sergei Kostitsyn. He battled hard all night, hustled, and his effort on a back check prevented a very good scoring chance for the Canucks.
Although the Predators failed to put away the Canucks, there are positives to take away from this game. The ability to battle back against a quality opponent like the Canucks speaks volumes about the heart and character of this team. This team believes in themselves and in their ability to win every game. That is evident by the way they refused to wilt in the face of the Canucks pressure and their early lead.
Limit the mistakes, the bad plays, and the Predators will not have an opponent slip past them.
My three stars:
1. Byron Bitz
2. Sergei Kostitsyn
3. Roberto Luongo
Two plays victimized the Predators in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks at the Bridgestone Arena. Two defensive breakdowns led to two quick first period goals by the Canucks en route to a 3-1 first period lead. The Predators fought back to force the shootout, but fell in the sixth round to the Canucks as the visitors won the shootout 2-1.
Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators, and he gave up the first goal of the game with Vancouver on a power play. Ryan Kessler beat Rinne with a snap shot from just inside the face off circle at 11:42 of the first period. To this point in the game, the Predators had out shot the Canucks 9-3.
The Predators answered at 13:47 of the first as Colin Wilson took a pass from David Legwand and fired a wrist shot a Roberto Luongo. Bobby Lou let the puck slip between his arm and his body for the tying goal.
With the home crowd in full throat and momentum with the Predators, it appeared as if they had an opportunity to get control of the game.
That is when the first of two bad plays by the Predators occurred.
The Predators were caught in a bad line change and the Canucks capitalized. Byron Bitz scored off a feed from Henrik Sedin as he walked in on Rinne and beat him with a quick wrist shot. The Predators defensive coverage was not in position, and the Canucks made them pay for the mistake at 18:21.
Just 23 seconds later, Daniel Sedin split the defense of Kevin Klein and Roman Josi and buried a shot from the low slot to give the Canucks a 3-1 lead.
Two bad plays, two goals, and another hole for the Predators.
This is the Predators, however, a team that fears no deficit.
The Predators had mounted good pressure against Luongo and the Canucks defense in the first period, and they continued to pressure the Canucks in the second. Time to chip away and get back in the game.
That is exactly what they did just 4:14 into the second period. Kevin Klein took a shot from the blue line, and it hit the skate of Sergei Kostitsyn, who was cutting across the slot. The puck re-directed off the skate of Kostitsyn and past Luongo. After a brief review, the goal was called good by the replay officials and the Predators trailed 3-2.
The Predators would tie the game at 3 at 5:16 of the second as Shea Weber took a shot from the blue line that hit Mike Fisher and squirted between the pads of Luongo. As Luongo moved, the puck was deflected off his leg and trickled over the goal line.
The ability of the Predators to battle back from another deficit, especially against a great team like the Canucks was heartening. It just felt as if the Predators momentum would carry them to a goal that would give them the lead.
It was not to be as both goalies took over the game. Both Rinne and Luongo made some big saves in the remainder of the second period as well as the third period to keep the game knotted at 3. There were times where the Predators controlled the puck in the Vancouver zone and created some good chances, but could not solve Luongo.
The same held true for the Canucks, as they used their excellent cycling ability to control the puck and create some chances. Rinne was up to the task, and the game went to overtime.
In the overtime period, the Predators controlled the puck and had 3 shots on goal, while the Canucks managed 2. Neither team found the net. For the game, the Predators out shot the Canucks 40-31.
In the shootout, Rinne stopped Mason Raymond and Ryan Kessler before Alexander Burrows scored off a nice backhand move. Luongo stopped Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat missed the net. With the game on the line, David Legwand beat Luongo with a backhand to extend the shootout.
Rinne stoned Daniel Sedin and Cody Hodgson before Alex Edler beat him five hole. Luongo stopped Ryan Ellis and Mike Fisher.
With the game on the line, Colin Wilson beat Luongo with a backhand but the puck just went outside the far post, and the Canucks escaped with a 4-3 win.
Vancouver is one of the elite teams in the NHL, and for the Predators to battle back and force the shootout speaks volumes about their effort and their compete level. Two bad plays bit the Predators, and against an opponent the caliber of the Canucks, that can- and did- cost the game.
I especially was impressed with the play of Sergei Kostitsyn. He battled hard all night, hustled, and his effort on a back check prevented a very good scoring chance for the Canucks.
Although the Predators failed to put away the Canucks, there are positives to take away from this game. The ability to battle back against a quality opponent like the Canucks speaks volumes about the heart and character of this team. This team believes in themselves and in their ability to win every game. That is evident by the way they refused to wilt in the face of the Canucks pressure and their early lead.
Limit the mistakes, the bad plays, and the Predators will not have an opponent slip past them.
My three stars:
1. Byron Bitz
2. Sergei Kostitsyn
3. Roberto Luongo
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Predators Cap an Improbable Comeback, Vanquish Vancouver 6-5
The Nashville Predators faced a monumental task, trying to get their game back on track against a formidable for in the form of the Vancouver Canucks at the Rogers Centre in Vancouver. The Predators came into the game 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, while the Cancucks entered the contest on a tear, with an 8-2 record in their last 10 contests.
Nashville had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Canucks countered with their red hot goalie- no, not that guy- Cory Schnieder, who was 5-0 in his last five starts.
The Predators changed up their lines, moving Craig Smith up on a line with Mike Fisher and Marty Erat. Smith was replacing the injured Sergei Kostitsyn, and the hope was that this line would generate some offensive push for the Predators, who desperately needed some scoring.
The Predators opened the contest skating hard and generating some offensive chances. Their offensive efforts would be short circuited early as the aforementioned Smith would get called for hooking. Fortunately for the Predators, Dan Hamhuis was called for holding just 58 seconds into the power play.
Shortly after the Predators went on the power play, Colin Wilson dug the puck out from behind the net and passed it to David Legwand. Legwand ripped a shot short side over the shoulder of Schneider to make it 1-0 Predators at 5:44 of the first period.
The Predators would make it 2-0 on a goal by Mike Fisher at 8:16. Fisher took a pass from Marty Erat and was strong on the puck driving the net. His backhand shot beat Schneider to the far side post and the Predators had tallied goals on their first two shots of the game.
One of the keys for the Predators was to stay out of the box, as the Canucks have the number one ranked PP unit in the NHL. Unfortunately, Shea Weber didn't get that memo, as he was called for holding. Cody Hodgson made the Predators pay for their transgression as he drove the net and beat Pekka Rinne over his shoulder to make it 2-1 at 9:58 of the first period.
The Predators managed to kill off a Marty Erat penalty (whew!) and got back to even strength and skated well with the Canucks. They managed to keep an explosive offensive relatively in check, helped by some good saves from Pekka Rinne.
At 18:49 of the first period, Henrik Sedin was called for for hooking. Cory Schneider made an amazing save on a Shea Weber blast from the blue line. Weber would get his revenge with just 10 seconds left on the period as he had crept down low in the zone and lifted the puck over Schneider to make it 3-1 Predators.
The Predators power play was very efficient, as was their offensive effort. The Predators scored on both their power plays and on 3 of their 5 shots in the period. The Canucks were held to seven shots in the first period.
A solid period of hockey by the Predators, save for the the three trips to the penalty box. It was time for this team to put together a full 60 minutes of hockey and capture an important victory.
Roberto Luongo came in for the Canucks to start the second period.
Once again, the Predators could not stay out of the box, and it bit them in the ass.With Jerred Smithson in the box for slashing, Daniel Sedin got loose at the side of the net and beat Rinne with a shot that Rinne would like to have back at 3:10 of the second.
Just 48 seconds later, Aaron Volpati got free in the low slot and beat Rinne five hole to tie the game at 3.
So much for that solid 60 minutes of hockey by the Predators. They now had to get momentum on their side and take back control of the game.
The Canucks took a 4-3 lead as Henrik Sedin walked out from behind the net and it was re-directed by Alex Burrows at 8:16 of the second period. Three goals erased all the momentum and work of the first period as the Predators collapse was in full swing in this period.
The defense of the Predators had become a sieve in this period, and it was burning the Predators. An absolutely horrific defensive effort in this period had victimized the Predators as they saw their momentum and their lead evaporate.
Jannik Hansen made it 5-3 Canucks at 10:29 as he blew a puck past Rinne, who was unscreened. That was it as Rinne was pulled and Anders Lindback came on for the Predators.
Jordin Tootoo has shown no quit in his game, and he got loose just inside the face off circle and rifled a shot past Luongo at 16:09 off as assist from Ryan Suter and Craig Smith. Tootoo's effort momentarily halted the momentum of the Canucks and breathed some new life into the Predators. This was Tootoo's third goal of the season, and for the night, Craig Smith had three assists.
Colin Wilson tied the game on the power play with Ryan Kessler in the box as he took a nice feed from David Legwand. Wilson was breaking in and took the puck to his backhand and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Luongo for the Predators third power play goal of the game.
Just when it looked as if the Predators had given up, suddenly, they showed some heart and clawed their way back into this game. Tied at 5, this game has the makings of a wild affair going into the third period.
The third period was back and forth, mostly back for the Predators as the Predators were kept on their heels for most of the period by the aggressive offensive attack of the Canucks. Lindback made some big saves, and for the most, the Predators were struggling to generate some offense.
That would change at 18:35 of the third as Marty Erat broke in toward the net and fed Mike Fisher who backhanded the puck over the sprawling Luongo to give the Predators an improbable 6-5 lead.
As unreal as it appeared after the Predators collapsed in the early part of the second period, they had come back to claim a huge 6-5 road win over a quality opponent.
This is the kind of win that can prove to be pivotal for a young team. Learning how to face down adversity and come back from a disastrous period of hockey. Learning how to keep fighting and scrapping and realizing that you are never out of a game.
Vancouver out shot the Predators 37-20, and kudos go to Anders Lindback, who stopped all 19 shots he faced.
In previous games, this team would have folded in the face of this kind of adversity. Tonight, they kept fighting. Tonight, they grew up a little.
This team still has lessons to learn. Never let an opponent claw their way back into the game like you did tonight, boys.
The other lesson? You are never out of it. Your heart and your fight and your character carried you to a win tonight.
Build on that lesson.
My three stars:
1. Mike Fisher
2. Anders Lindback
3. Colin Wilson
Nashville had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Canucks countered with their red hot goalie- no, not that guy- Cory Schnieder, who was 5-0 in his last five starts.
The Predators changed up their lines, moving Craig Smith up on a line with Mike Fisher and Marty Erat. Smith was replacing the injured Sergei Kostitsyn, and the hope was that this line would generate some offensive push for the Predators, who desperately needed some scoring.
The Predators opened the contest skating hard and generating some offensive chances. Their offensive efforts would be short circuited early as the aforementioned Smith would get called for hooking. Fortunately for the Predators, Dan Hamhuis was called for holding just 58 seconds into the power play.
Shortly after the Predators went on the power play, Colin Wilson dug the puck out from behind the net and passed it to David Legwand. Legwand ripped a shot short side over the shoulder of Schneider to make it 1-0 Predators at 5:44 of the first period.
The Predators would make it 2-0 on a goal by Mike Fisher at 8:16. Fisher took a pass from Marty Erat and was strong on the puck driving the net. His backhand shot beat Schneider to the far side post and the Predators had tallied goals on their first two shots of the game.
One of the keys for the Predators was to stay out of the box, as the Canucks have the number one ranked PP unit in the NHL. Unfortunately, Shea Weber didn't get that memo, as he was called for holding. Cody Hodgson made the Predators pay for their transgression as he drove the net and beat Pekka Rinne over his shoulder to make it 2-1 at 9:58 of the first period.
The Predators managed to kill off a Marty Erat penalty (whew!) and got back to even strength and skated well with the Canucks. They managed to keep an explosive offensive relatively in check, helped by some good saves from Pekka Rinne.
At 18:49 of the first period, Henrik Sedin was called for for hooking. Cory Schneider made an amazing save on a Shea Weber blast from the blue line. Weber would get his revenge with just 10 seconds left on the period as he had crept down low in the zone and lifted the puck over Schneider to make it 3-1 Predators.
The Predators power play was very efficient, as was their offensive effort. The Predators scored on both their power plays and on 3 of their 5 shots in the period. The Canucks were held to seven shots in the first period.
A solid period of hockey by the Predators, save for the the three trips to the penalty box. It was time for this team to put together a full 60 minutes of hockey and capture an important victory.
Roberto Luongo came in for the Canucks to start the second period.
Once again, the Predators could not stay out of the box, and it bit them in the ass.With Jerred Smithson in the box for slashing, Daniel Sedin got loose at the side of the net and beat Rinne with a shot that Rinne would like to have back at 3:10 of the second.
Just 48 seconds later, Aaron Volpati got free in the low slot and beat Rinne five hole to tie the game at 3.
So much for that solid 60 minutes of hockey by the Predators. They now had to get momentum on their side and take back control of the game.
The Canucks took a 4-3 lead as Henrik Sedin walked out from behind the net and it was re-directed by Alex Burrows at 8:16 of the second period. Three goals erased all the momentum and work of the first period as the Predators collapse was in full swing in this period.
The defense of the Predators had become a sieve in this period, and it was burning the Predators. An absolutely horrific defensive effort in this period had victimized the Predators as they saw their momentum and their lead evaporate.
Jannik Hansen made it 5-3 Canucks at 10:29 as he blew a puck past Rinne, who was unscreened. That was it as Rinne was pulled and Anders Lindback came on for the Predators.
Jordin Tootoo has shown no quit in his game, and he got loose just inside the face off circle and rifled a shot past Luongo at 16:09 off as assist from Ryan Suter and Craig Smith. Tootoo's effort momentarily halted the momentum of the Canucks and breathed some new life into the Predators. This was Tootoo's third goal of the season, and for the night, Craig Smith had three assists.
Colin Wilson tied the game on the power play with Ryan Kessler in the box as he took a nice feed from David Legwand. Wilson was breaking in and took the puck to his backhand and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Luongo for the Predators third power play goal of the game.
Just when it looked as if the Predators had given up, suddenly, they showed some heart and clawed their way back into this game. Tied at 5, this game has the makings of a wild affair going into the third period.
The third period was back and forth, mostly back for the Predators as the Predators were kept on their heels for most of the period by the aggressive offensive attack of the Canucks. Lindback made some big saves, and for the most, the Predators were struggling to generate some offense.
That would change at 18:35 of the third as Marty Erat broke in toward the net and fed Mike Fisher who backhanded the puck over the sprawling Luongo to give the Predators an improbable 6-5 lead.
As unreal as it appeared after the Predators collapsed in the early part of the second period, they had come back to claim a huge 6-5 road win over a quality opponent.
This is the kind of win that can prove to be pivotal for a young team. Learning how to face down adversity and come back from a disastrous period of hockey. Learning how to keep fighting and scrapping and realizing that you are never out of a game.
Vancouver out shot the Predators 37-20, and kudos go to Anders Lindback, who stopped all 19 shots he faced.
In previous games, this team would have folded in the face of this kind of adversity. Tonight, they kept fighting. Tonight, they grew up a little.
This team still has lessons to learn. Never let an opponent claw their way back into the game like you did tonight, boys.
The other lesson? You are never out of it. Your heart and your fight and your character carried you to a win tonight.
Build on that lesson.
My three stars:
1. Mike Fisher
2. Anders Lindback
3. Colin Wilson
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Canucks Down the Predators 4-2; Take Control of the Series 3-1
The Nashville Predators put up a valiant effort before falling to the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 at the Bridgestone Arena. The Canucks now lead the series 3-1 and can close out the Predators in Vancouver on Saturday night.
The Predators opened with good jump and pressured the Canucks early in the contest. They were unable to get any pucks past Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo, while his counterpart, Pekka Rinne, was perfect in net for the Predators.
That would change at 15:04 of the first period as Christian Ehrhoff would launch a shot from the blue line. Rinne was clipped by Alex Burrows and the shot found the back of the net. There was no call on the play as it was deemed by referee Kelly Sutherland that the contact was incidental and that Rinne was outside the blue paint.
Definitely a questionable call, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Joel Ward would tie the game on the power play at 19:18 of the first period. Wardo was camped at the top of the blue paint and gathered in the rebound of a Cody Franson shot and put the puck through Luongo five hole.
The Canucks would take the lead at 9:43 of the second period as Alex Edler would pot his second goal of the playoffs with a wrist shot that beat Rinne.
The Predators answered at 3:27 of the third period as Cody Franson's bullet from the blue line eluded Luongo, and for a moment the officials. Everyone searched for the puck, and lo and behold it was in the back of the net. The tying score sent the partisan home crowd into a frenzy and gave the Predator faithful hope that they could tie the series.
That momentum would ebb away at 7:28 of the third with Ryan Suter in the box for holding, Ryan Kessler would tally a power play goal by splitting the defense and beating Rinne with a wrist shot to give the Canucks a 3-2 lead.
The Predators put good pressure on Luongo, but could not get a puck past him. With Rinne pulled for the extra attacker, Henrik Sedin scored an empty netter for the final margin of victory at 4-2.
The Predators lost Jerred Smithson after the first period after he took a Ryan Kessler elbow to the face. No call was made on the play, and the Predators were down a player that was a key part of their shutdown line. Smithson has already been called out for the game in Vancouver.
It's no secret that the Canucks are a good team. Heck, they are a great team. However, they are beatable if the Predators play their game.
Unfortunately for the Predators, their backs are now against the wall and they have one more opportunity to play their game. By the way, it will be in Vancouver in front of a raucous group of Canucklehead fans.
No small task, eh?
If the Predators focus on playing one game at a time, no, if they focus on playing one shift at a time, and battle the way they have done all season, then they have an opportunity to return the series to Nashville.
It is a steep hill, no doubt. But the Predators have climbed a steep hill all season.
The task is enormous, but the Predators cannot be daunted. They have to play balls to wall for one game. That is the priority. The Canucks are a worthy opponent.
So are we.
So here is your charge, boys.
Win one.
Bring it back to Nashville. Bring it back by playing all out. Win puck battles. Play smart. Play all out.
Play like there is no tomorrow.
Because there isn't.
The Predators opened with good jump and pressured the Canucks early in the contest. They were unable to get any pucks past Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo, while his counterpart, Pekka Rinne, was perfect in net for the Predators.
That would change at 15:04 of the first period as Christian Ehrhoff would launch a shot from the blue line. Rinne was clipped by Alex Burrows and the shot found the back of the net. There was no call on the play as it was deemed by referee Kelly Sutherland that the contact was incidental and that Rinne was outside the blue paint.
Definitely a questionable call, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Joel Ward would tie the game on the power play at 19:18 of the first period. Wardo was camped at the top of the blue paint and gathered in the rebound of a Cody Franson shot and put the puck through Luongo five hole.
The Canucks would take the lead at 9:43 of the second period as Alex Edler would pot his second goal of the playoffs with a wrist shot that beat Rinne.
The Predators answered at 3:27 of the third period as Cody Franson's bullet from the blue line eluded Luongo, and for a moment the officials. Everyone searched for the puck, and lo and behold it was in the back of the net. The tying score sent the partisan home crowd into a frenzy and gave the Predator faithful hope that they could tie the series.
That momentum would ebb away at 7:28 of the third with Ryan Suter in the box for holding, Ryan Kessler would tally a power play goal by splitting the defense and beating Rinne with a wrist shot to give the Canucks a 3-2 lead.
The Predators put good pressure on Luongo, but could not get a puck past him. With Rinne pulled for the extra attacker, Henrik Sedin scored an empty netter for the final margin of victory at 4-2.
The Predators lost Jerred Smithson after the first period after he took a Ryan Kessler elbow to the face. No call was made on the play, and the Predators were down a player that was a key part of their shutdown line. Smithson has already been called out for the game in Vancouver.
It's no secret that the Canucks are a good team. Heck, they are a great team. However, they are beatable if the Predators play their game.
Unfortunately for the Predators, their backs are now against the wall and they have one more opportunity to play their game. By the way, it will be in Vancouver in front of a raucous group of Canucklehead fans.
No small task, eh?
If the Predators focus on playing one game at a time, no, if they focus on playing one shift at a time, and battle the way they have done all season, then they have an opportunity to return the series to Nashville.
It is a steep hill, no doubt. But the Predators have climbed a steep hill all season.
The task is enormous, but the Predators cannot be daunted. They have to play balls to wall for one game. That is the priority. The Canucks are a worthy opponent.
So are we.
So here is your charge, boys.
Win one.
Bring it back to Nashville. Bring it back by playing all out. Win puck battles. Play smart. Play all out.
Play like there is no tomorrow.
Because there isn't.
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