It was what everyone wanted from a playoff game. A great atmosphere, a great game, big hits, big saves, and even a penalty shot. Those combinations added up to a 4-1 Nashville Predators win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of this Western Conference Quarterfinal. 16,075 brought all the energy they could and more as they truly embodied the 7th Man role in this game.
Felder’s FANTASTIC Five:
1. Defensive Line No More - Other than the penalty shot, David Legwand and Joel Ward were on the ice for every goal in this game. They are normally counted on to shut down the opponents top line on home ice, however tonight they accomplished that and more. You have to give credit where it is due and Legwand stepped up his game once again. It's worth nothing that in both Games 1 and 3 he was an offensive presence, and the Predators won both games. Legwand logged some heavy minutes at points in the game and rose to the occasion on home ice. On top of that, Kane, Toews, and Hossa were all goal-less in this one. That's getting the job done on both ends of the ice.
2. Making Smashville…Smashville - One of the key differences in this one in my mind was the amount of physicality the Predators had. They dominated the hits category 32 to 18. On top of that there were key D-men using well-timed big hits to gain momentum. Bouillon on Fraser and Weber on Kane really stand out in my mind. On top of that, the crowd itself was very vocal and made sure the Hawks knew this was not going to be an easy task to win a game in their barn. Every player and coach I heard from noted the intensity of the crowd.
3. The Ironman Puzzle - How do you solve a problem like Pekka Rinne? For one, the Hawks can't rely on shots the Ironman can see. It is interesting to me to note that thru three games the Hawks have just 4 goals. Considering the offense's on paper, things have been flipped despite a shutout of Nashville in Game 2. While Chicago is generating more offensive chances throughout the series, it's becoming time for them to capitalize or risk a 1st Round knock out. I expect the Hawks will fling the vulcanized rubber at Rinne from all angles next game to see if there even is a crack in the puzzle known as Pekka Rinne.
4. Even Strength Play - The only Chicago goal came on one of their four powerplay opportunities. Going into the series we all knew that the Hawks had a decided advantage in the special teams department. At this point the Hawks have just 2 even strength goals. The fact that Nashville has been as successful as they have 5 on 5 is pretty surprising to me, however it is true testament to the team defense from the goaltender to the forwards. Tonight the Preds won because they were the better team when skating 5 on 5.
5. Owning the Key Moments - In Game 2 I felt that the Hawks took the key chances they had and buried them. Game 3 was a role reversal as this time the Preds did that on their home ice. An odd man rush goal and a penalty shot goal. Those are the key moments and in this one the Preds took ahold of them and owned it. Now, if you have watched this team all season then you know that the Preds are not exactly known for scoring on the rush or breakaways. So, to step up in this high pressure time is something that should be noted.
Other Notes:
* Tonight’s scratches were Wade Belak, Denis Grebeshkov, Patric Hornqvist, and Cal O'Reilly. For Chicago, the scratches were Bryan Bickell, Nick Boyton, Adam Burish, Brian Campbell, and Kim Johnsson.
* 1ST PERIOD
* 13:50 to gonad we have a ruckus on the ice. Francis Bouillon hit Colin Fraser along the bench and knock the Hawk on his butt with a shoulder to shoulder hit. Thomas Kopecky attempted a hit from behind but Jordin Tootoo hit him before Kopecky could reach the Cube. Tempers flared and then Kopecky was called for elbowing. To be honest it looked like Tootoo knocked Kopecky into the Cube thus I thought a penalty should not have been called. It was though and the Preds get the first man advantage of the game. On that man advantage the Hawks actually outshot the Preds "PP" unit 2-1.
* 9:27 to go. The Preds are on their second man advantage. A turnover in their end actually causes the Hawks to drive in. Sullivan gets a takeaway and feeds David Legwand for a breakaway. Leggy drives in, then fires the puck 5-hole but Niemi makes the save. Missed opportunity there.
* GOAL for NASHVILLE - 7:00 to go. Joel Ward cashes in on a rebound opportunity low stick side. Legwand worked the puck around the net and fed Steve Sullivan in the slot. Sully's shot was on target low stick side and Niemi made the save. He gave up a long rebound that Wardo backhanded into the empty net by just barely beating Dustin Byfuglien to the puck. The Preds had some decent pressure in the last two minutes leading up to the goal and were finally rewarded with a gritty playoff style tally. Ward (1) from Sullivan (1) and Legwand (3). Nashville now takes a 1-0 lead and some huge momentum with the home crowd behind them.
* POWER PLAY GOAL for CHICAGO - 2:25 to go. What a goal this was. Kopecky wins a faceoff, later he's on top of the crease unmolested, gets a feed right in front of Rinne on the glove side, pauses, gets Peks to drop, and the wraps the puck around for a tally. Just well executed and a hockey smart goal in the crease area. Kopecky (1) from Kris Versteeg (1) and Marian Hossa (1). Chicago evens this game up before the intermission at 1 all.
* END OF THE 1ST PERIOD – NSH: 1 CHI: 1 Positives - Very solid first 15 minutes for Nashville, it set the tone. Out shot the Hawks 13-7. Out hit the Hawks 16-6. Negatives - Missed a breakaway chance. Chicago has won 56% of faceoffs. Preds have allowed 3 shorthanded scoring chances.
* 2ND PERIOD
* GOAL for NASHVILLE - 16:00 to go. An odd man rush and the Preds convert. Kevin Klein gives Sullivan a great outlet pass from deep within the Preds zone. Sully takes it with speed across the blueline and sees David Legwand in stride. Sully makes the pass over to Leggy and Duncan Keith is unable to get apiece of the puck to break up the odd man chance. Leggy gets enough under the puck to tap it up and in off of Niemi's stick side shoulder. Goals on the rush are hard to come by in the playoffs so the Preds did well to take advantage on the rare opportunity. Legwand (1) from Sullivan (2) and Klein (1). Preds take the early 2-1 lead in the top portion of the 2nd period.
* GOAL for NASHVILLE - 10:08 to go. The BEAST finally gets his name on the scoresheet. A cannon shot from the middle of the point. Marian Hossa tries to block the shot but instead deflects it with his stick and knocks the puck up. The puck then hits the stick side shoulder on Niemi who had no chance to recover considering the sheer velocity in which this puck was already coming before the deflect. Weber (1) from J.P. Dumont and Legwand (4). The Beast's Cannon shot gives the Preds a 3-1 lead.
* 8:51 to go. The TV Timeout has returned to Bridgestone Arena. What a sight to see all the rally towels in the air and the crowd make a deafening noise throughout the stoppage to show their appreciate for the Predators effort thus far.
* END OF THE 2ND PERIOD – NSH: 3 CHI: 1 Positives - Preds took advantage of some key scoring chances. The D got involved in the scoring. Leading SOG 22-17. Negatives - Hawks still winning majority of faceoffs, now at 58%. Tempting fate with the 10 giveaways so far..
* 3RD PERIOD
* 6:36 to go. It's TV Timeout #2. The Hawks have been pushing but the Preds have only bent and not been broken just yet.
* 5:35 to go and we have ourselves a playoff penalty shot. Martin Erat will step to the line after Dustin Byfuglien hooked Erat's right arm prevent a breakaway shot. Erat with the game burying goal on his stick skates in, waited out Niemi to freeze, and then wired it high glove to put the icing on this cake. Erat (2) unassisted on the penalty shot. Preds now have the commanding 4-1 lead.
* 3:01 to go and the Nashville Preds take a timeout after an icing call. With a 4-1 lead this is where Nashville will look to take an odd man rush the other way and ignite this crowd one final time.
* FINAL SCORE – NSH - 4 CHI - 1.
My Three Stars:
1. David Legwand - 1 goal, 2 assists, +3, and 4 SOG.
3. Pekka Rinne - 26 saves on 27 shots against. Held the fort on home ice.
Goalie Grade:A – The starting goaltender tonight was Pekka Rinne. The Ironman continues to do what he does. Solid, consistent, and timely goaltending. Chicago must be getting frustrated with Peks by this point. Now, that's not to say it was all perfect for Rinne tonight. At the start of Nashville's first man advantage Rinne went back and played the puck, it took a bounce off the boards and went into the crease. Rinne dove back and prevented a shorty on himself. Very close call that could have seriously swung the momentum Chicago's way with a 0-0 tie at that time. All in all, Rinne is the MVP of the series thus far and while tonight he didn't steal the whole game, he was again instrumental in preserving a Nashville lead. What will Thursday bring for Mr. Rinne as the Hawks will likely try to throw pucks at the net from every angle imaginable.
Quotes:
Just a late season reminder that all of the quotes below are acquired off of questions I ask. So you may want to check other sources for more quotes as most don't use the ones I get.
Brandon Felder - "You've been in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. What was your impressions on the atmosphere in the building tonight."
Francis Bouillon - "It was pretty exciting. I was pretty surprised when I jumped on the ice at those towels and the crowd was loud. It's always fun to play for a crowd like that."
Felder - "Talk about the importance of this next game because if you guys hold onto your home ice you'll have a real stranglehold on this series."
Bouillon - "It's a huge game for both teams. For us it's important to take a lead 3-1. That'd be huge."
*
Felder - "Wardo your line is usually the defensive role. Did Barry and the other coaches talk to you guys about counter-attacks?"
Joel Ward - "Well in order to beat these guys you are going to have to get some shots off. They don't' give up too many chances but at times you have to try to push forward and get some offense going. We can't sit back. We definitely have to challenge them. They are a #2 seed for a reason so you gotta try to push back."
Felder - "For you personally, your first playoff home game, talk about the atmosphere and your first playoff goal."
Ward - "Oh it was unbelievable. I was a little nervous there at the start, I won't lie. To see all those towels waving around and it was an unbelievable feeling. We got revved up there and I'm glad we got off to a good start."
*
Felder - "For your guys to score the first goal, how much pressure does that take off of you because in the past games this series you've had to kind of hold things for the first couple of periods."
Pekka Rinne - "It's kind of a relief. I think in the playoffs you kind of go minute by minute and try not to think of those things too much but obviously it's in the back of your mind that we scored the first goal. It kind of makes you even more comfortable and confident. Obviously they scored right away after ours and it was 1-1 but still I think it was a good first period for us. That 1st period really got us going and I think the biggest reason was the crowd, that was pretty amazing."
Felder - "Yeah, it was your first playoff home game. Did it live up to your expectations?"
Rinne - "Oh yeah, it was even better. I think that was something special really even at the beginning at the game. It was a standing ovation and I was pretty pumped up there. It was something special."
*
Felder - "Barry how much did you stress the physicality to set the tone here on home ice?"
Barry Trotz - "They came out with a real physical effort last game and we were energized by the crowd. It was pretty hairy in the 1st period. There was a lot of energy in the building and our crowd was just absolutely outstanding. At every stoppage of play, you could barely hear on the bench. They were fantastic for us as a hockey club. We stress just being firm on people and don't let them off the hook just as they aren't trying to let us off the hook."
Felder - "Legwand and Ward are more known for their defensive roles. Did you talk to them about being able to know when to jump in for a counter attack?"
Trotz - "They're pretty well-versed in that and they have good hockey IQ's, so thats not really something I have to spend a lot of time with them talking about. It's nice when you are in a defensive role and able to contribute. That's what they did tonight so it was a real key for us."
*
Felder - "Joel what were your thoughts on the amount of traffic in front of Rinne? It seemed like every time he saw the puck there was almost no chance of getting it past him."
Joel Quenneville - "Yeah. We didn't get traffic. We didn't have the battle in the puck areas. We didn't have battle at the net. We didn't have much battle in our game."
Final Thoughts:
The building was electric, the play was entertaining, and all in all if you are Nashville fan you had a great night. Chicago fans saw their team perform much like Nashville did in Game 2. Not enough offensive chances, not enough traffic in front of the net, and ultimately not enough goals to produce a win. Pred fans have to be happy with the way David Legwand, Steve Sullivan, Joel Ward, and Martin Erat stepped up in this one. Without Hornqvist these guys are being counted on to produce and they rose to the occasion tonight.
Game 4 may very well be THE key to this series. It has all the makings of a must win game for Chicago otherwise Nashville takes a stranglehold on a playoff series for the first time ever in franchise history. The Predators will have to find ways to have success against whatever adjustments Chicago throws their way. That will be the difference as to which team takes a crucial Game 4 Thursday.
The Predators next game is Thursday night right back here in the Bridgestone Arena. This time the faceoff is set for 7:30 pm CST so make sure you make a note of that. Wouldn't want anyone to miss out on a 1st period. I can't stress enough how important this game is to both teams. It's a pivotal point and you wont' want to miss a moment. Make sure you come to the game if you can and sell out the Bridge for this playoff game.
Till then, take care friends.
Questions, comments, and criticisms can be sent to [email protected] if you wish to contact me personally.
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