Two sweet words… game seven.
The Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets certainly have given the hockey world what they expected and wanted from this series. Six games of unpredictable, sometimes up and down, sometimes highly defensive, sometimes wacky hockey. It has been a joy to behold… and now, here we are at a game seven. One of these teams’ season comes to an end tonight.
This will be the first game seven in the history of the Nashville Predators franchise to take place at 501 Broadway, after 20 years, Predator fans finally get to experience the ultimate win or go home scenario. We know that Smashville will be lit… but how do the Predators handle the pressure that comes with home ice.
Both of these teams have thrived on the road. Each winning twice in the opponents’ barn. Neither team has been able to muster two consecutive victories in this series. Both teams have made solid between game adjustments and both teams have had difficulties taking control of a series that has been a tossup since the jump.
In this observer’s opinion, it all comes down to how the Predators can control their emotions. Want examples? Game one and game five. They came out strong and poured shots on Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck and couldn’t seem to put one past the Vezina finalist. That led to some stick squeezing, which led to some defensive breakdowns, which led to a Jets goal, which led to disciplinary lapses, which led to more goals. Emotional control is the first key to tonight’s game.
The second key is the forecheck… the Predators have seen their best success in this series when they play on their toes and leaning forward. The forecheck has been ferocious at times, tonight needs to be one of those times. Without it, Winnipeg has the capability to steamroll this team. With it, the Predators have shown that the rest of their game follows quickly. Their defense in front of Pekka Rinne is better, their neutral zone play is better, their offense is better… it all fires from the forecheck.
The third key is for Nashville to initiate the physical play, not respond to it. Every time the Predators have been the team bringing the body, it has impacted the Jets, it slows them down and knocks them off their game. The fourth line will be critical in tonight’s game. If Mike Fisher can’t go, the line of Calle Jarnkrok, Scott Hartnell and Ryan Hartman will have an opportunity to turn this game with responsible physical play.
Everything else… goaltending, scoring, special teams… they all follow the three keys I laid out above.
The best news for fans of both teams… Stanley Cup champions are forged from this type of experience and adversity. Having an easy time of the first two rounds does nothing to help a team win a conference championship, let alone a Cup. This experience will pay off handsomely for the team that comes out victorious tonight.
So… what’s gonna happen tonight? Who the hell knows? Just enjoy it… game sevens are rare and beautiful things to encounter live. Game time is 7pm… Predators pregame coverage begins at 6pm, live from the Barrel House at Bridgestone Arena on 102.5 the Game. NBCSN’s NHL Live also gets going at 6… Game coverage on both media starts at 7pm, Kenny Albert will have the call, Eddie Olczyk will be on color and Pierre McGuire will be between the benches. The radio call will be handled by the Voice of the Nashville Predators, Pete Weber with Hal Gill on color.
Enjoy this one Snashville…
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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!
Everything will be set by the end of the evening… the Eastern Conference Final begins tomorrow night.
Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals – Game one is tomorrow night in TBL
Western Conference
Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets – Series tied at 3 - Game six is Thursday night in NSH
Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks – VGK wins 4-2 – Awaits winner of NSH/WPG
Western Final
NSH/WPG Winner vs Vegas Golden Knights – Game one is Saturday in NSH/WPG
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Random Notes
- Justin Timberlake got his crowd riled up with a “Let’s Go Preds” chant at his Bridgestone Arena show last night, the Memphis native now makes his home in Leiper’s Fork about 45 minutes south of Nashville.
- OK… want some game seven stats?
>>> Home teams have a 58.8% winning percentage in game sevens.
>>> The team that scores first wins 74.1% of the time
>>> This is the 10th consecutive season that the second round will finish on a game seven.
>>> Preds coach Peter Laviolette is 5-2 in game sevens
>>> Lavy has also won a game seven in each round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
>>> Jets coach Paul Maurice is 2-0 in game sevens.
>>> There have been 170 game sevens all-time… 41 of them have required overtime to decide it.
- Nice piece in The Athletic on Terry Crisp and his memories of game sevens.
- Congratulations to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, winning the longest game in AHL history last night… the final score 2-1... the winner scored seven minutes in to the fifth overtime!
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Last night's SlapShot Radio...
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SlapShot Radio’s tenth anniversary season is on. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day… the only local hockey show that does that.
We are on every Wednesday night at 7pm on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game.
We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor
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