Someone is going to chase a lot of demons tonight as game six has not been kind to the two teams facing off at Bridgestone Arena at 7pm. The Preds head into their 7th game six in franchise history with a single win in their previous six game sixes. The Preds are 0-7 when facing elimination and the team has never forced a game seven, their only game six win, you guessed it… 2011 against these very same Anaheim Ducks.
For the Ducks, they have their own game six monkey on their back. Last season Anaheim led the Blackhawks 3-2 in the Western Conference Final and lost the next two games. OK… it happens. One data point does not a trend make, but wait, there’s more. Two years ago, the Ducks had a 3-2 lead on LA and dropped the next two to the freeway rivals losing in seven. Alright, that’s only two consecutive but… Three years ago the same thing happed against Detroit, up 3-2, dropped the last two to lose the series in seven. Hmmm… now a trend is developing.
So Paul, you’re saying there is a chance…
At the risk of sounding hopelessly positive… I’m saying there is more than a chance. The Predators win tonight and monumental pressure mounts on Anaheim. The Ducks will spend almost 48 hours being reminded of the last three years, being asked question after question about game seven playoff failure by a converging media that has no other hockey to cover.
The only playoff series remaining will draw intense heat.
Oh and one more fact gets added to the mix. Ducks head coach Brice Boudreau has his own game seven issues… like losing game 7 at home in the last three seasons after losing three consecutive game sixes (the only coach in NHL history to do that) and losing six consecutive game sevens (the only coach in NHL history to do that.)
If game six is a monkey on Anaheim's back... game sevens are King Kong.
Oh… and by the way… Anaheim has never won a series after trailing 0-2… just sayin’.
So what do we need to see tonight for the Predators to force the first game seven in franchise history?
1. Simplify – Nashville did simplify their game on Saturday, it showed some success… their problem Saturday (as well as games 3 and 4) had to do with discipline, defense and giveaways. They need to keep that simple mindset and keep throwing traffic and pucks at Andersen.
2. Take care of the puck – Giveaways have been the bane of Nashville's existence during this series. 57 in five games… we’ve seen careless breakouts, telegraphed passes, drop passes to no one… all have been clearly exhibited during this series. If the Predators can’t get this under control, they are done.
3. Handle the counter – The Preds have struggled to handle the counter-punch in the last three games. They seem to almost be waiting for the bad bounce (see game 5) or allowing Anaheim to dictate the pace after something good happens (see game 4.)
4. Special Teams – The Predators will have to take advantage of the Ducks parade to the sinbin, 1-22 doesn’t cut it.
5. No passengers – This team needs everyone on their game…
everyone.
This has been a very frustrating series for the team and for the fans. Pred Nation has selected their goats on social media already, some richly deserved, some just old saws being brought out… but one thing keeps being asked, and it’s a question to be asked and answered in depth after the series is done… what is this team missing? Perhaps it has been Craig Smith, the team has not been performing the same since he went down a minute into game 3. We may find out if the answer is that easy as Smith was skating yesterday and may go tonight. The curative powers of the playoffs are amazing…
Tonight’s game starts at 7pm. The Plaza Party begins at 4pm with live music, food, beverages and lots of fun including a Smashville playoff tradition, the Smash Car. Doors open at 5pm. Very limited tickets remain… coverage on 102.5 the Game, the Predators Radio Network and Fox Sports Tennessee, nationally on CNBC.
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Cause for Joy – Even though Nashville is facing elimination, they are home and Smashville will bring it hard tonight, making Bridgestone Arena as hostile as possible for Anaheim, amping up the pressure on the Ducks.
Cause for Concern – Ummm… this one is obvious.
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Random Playoff Notes
- Nice to see both Ryan Johansen and Miikka Salomaki get on the scoresheet Saturday, both scored their first of these playoffs.
- Colin Wilson posted an assist Saturday, continuing his excellent playoff performance.
- Yesterday was Elimination Sunday as all three games ended up with a handshake line. The Islanders/Panthers game six was a lot of fun to watch… pass the coffee please. Give Islander captain John Tavares a lot of credit, he put that team on his back.
- You have to give the Minnesota Wild credit, they fought hard in their series with Dallas and almost sent last night’s game to overtime. Some interesting offseason questions arise for the Wild though, the team’s makeup just doesn’t seem to be there for long term success. The problem will be that Zach Parise’s injury will be the excuse used… and the problems in St. Paul run deeper than that.
- The pucker factor is huge for tonight’s game seven in St. Louis. The Blues have blown two chances to close out the Blackhawks and first round failure is staring them in the face again…
- After an embarrassing game three, give the Philadelphia Flyers and their fans credit… they brought it. No one expected this from the Flyers this season and they are ahead on the development curve.
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Series Snapshots - all times Central
- Predators / Ducks – ANA leads 3-2 – Next game – Tonight @ NSH – 7pm – Fox Sports TN
- Panthers / Islanders – NYI wins 4-2, will face TBL in Round 2
- Lightning / Red Wings – TBL wins 4-1 – Will face NYI in Round 2
- Capitals / Flyers – WSH wins 4-2 – Will face PIT in Round 2
- Penguins / Rangers – PIT wins 4-1 – Will face WSH in Round 2
- Stars / Wild – DAL wins 4-2 – Will face winner of STL/CHI
- Blues / Blackhawks – Series tied 3-3 – Next game – Tonight @ STL – 7:30pm CT - NBCSN
- Kings / Sharks – SJS wins 4-1 – Will face winner of ANA/NSH
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Season eight of SlapShot Radio is on! Join us every Wednesday night at 7 on 102.5 the Game. Pete Weber and I cover the playoffs from pillar to post. We will also be on Saturday morning with fresh content at 8am!
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