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Game Four - Turning Point

April 18, 2018, 9:03 AM ET [11 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It’s time for game four and the Nashville Predators are fresh off a game three wake up call that they desperately needed. I appreciate the “even-keeled” approach, however a little passion and a little fire is in order here.

I am not talking about pushing the panic button that so many fans are jumping up and down on since late Monday night. I will say, I like the undercurrent rolling through the Predators right now. They have the right attitude and you can tell that they are a tad pissed. That could pay off handsomely tonight. But they have to convert that into a 60 minute effort that gets going from the jump. A good start… what a novel concept.

After being pulled on Monday night, expect Pekka Rinne back between the pipes, and expect him to be better. Not that he deserves any blame for the Monday nightmare of the first 25 minutes of play. He was constantly hung out to dry and his defense knows it. Rinne was named a Vezina Trophy finalist yesterday and deserves to finally take the award and will be looking to prove that fact.

The other controversy starting to build is the question of Calle Jarnkrok and his return to the lineup. The Swedish Army Knife is one of the most flexible players on the roster and can slot in almost anywhere. I am not sure who should sit, but this team may need Jarnkrok back in the lineup.

A coach normally waits until the first loss before making changes… and Peter Laviolette is one of the better playoff coaches in the league. I expect a few tweeks, maybe a lineup one and maybe a few differences to adjust to how the Avalanche have been limiting the offensive impact of the Predators blueline.

It's another late one gang… faceoff should be at around 9:15pm central… coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee and 102.5 the Game. The Predators Radio Network will get going with pregame at 8pm, right after a special pregame edition of SlapShot Radio at 7pm. FSTN pregame starts at 8:30pm.

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The Playoff Tracker … a daily update of the Stanley Cup Playoffs brought to you by Mark Lonsway - THE real estate professional for hockey fans!



One series done and the surprising Vegas Golden Knights are moving on...

Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils – TBL leads 2-1 – Game three is tonight
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – CBJ leads 2-1 – Game four is tomorrow
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers – PIT leads 2-1 – Game four is tonight
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – BOS leads 2-1 – Game four is tomorrow

Western Conference
Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche – NSH leads 2-1 – Game four is tonight
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings – VGK wins 4-0
Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild – WPG leads 3-1 – Game five is Friday
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks – SJS lead 3-0 – Game four is tonight

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Random Notes

- Rinne’s Vezina finalist status is the fourth time for the big Finn, and should be his first win.

- The Preds blueline has 8 assists so far in this series but not a single goal. Give the Av’s credit on that, but the D needs to get in on the scoring.

- The San Jose Sharks can close out their series tonight over Anaheim.

- Talk about finally getting a break… the Washington Capitals got a double OT win last night off a pinball puck that probably bounced off four players before sliding across the goal line. Huge win for DC.

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More from Paul McCann
» The time has come
» Whining through Game 3
» Playoff Picks
» Waiting for he playoffs
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