A pivotal game three tonight in Winnipeg as the Nashville Predators steel themselves for white out conditions in the ‘Peg. The rink will be crazed tonight, we know that… we also know that Nashville has handled it before. They know what it takes to get at least a win in hostile environments.
And they need to get at least one to wrest home ice advantage back from the Jets.
The funny thing about this series is that I could make a case for almost any scenario coming into to night’s game… the tie makes sense, but either team had opportunities to take both games one and two. As a matter of fact, lost opportunities could be the theme of this series so far.
For the Jets, they need to feed off their crowd… but not too much. It is my belief that Nashville struggled a bit handling the energy in Bridgestone Arena and given the Predators best in the NHL road record, they will not be intimidated by a raucous crowd. If Winnipeg is able to harness the energy of their crowd, it could spell trouble for the Preds.
Nashville needs a couple of things tonight to take a 2-1 lead…
- Discipline. So far, the Jets have been the more undisciplined team and when the Preds lost their discipline on Sunday night, it led to a couple of quick Jets goals. Let’s face it, the Jets are taking a page from the Ducks Handbook of Playoff Hockey… the one that says “they can’t call ‘em all.”
- Grit. The release of Ryan Hartman from Lavy’s doghouse was a positive thing for the Preds on Sunday night, leverage it.
- Bottom two contribution. The bottom two lines have done well in the last couple of games, now that the Jets have to stop the JoFA and FiST lines, there will be opportunities for these two lines. Especially the Sissons/Bonino pairing.
- Embrace the Villian. PK Subban is relishing his role as pot-stirrer. He feeds off the boo’s in the opponent’s barn and his laser of a goal on Sunday could be the launching pad.
The other thing they need, especially over the next two games is for Pekka Rinne to make at least one more save a game. Pekka has been good, and his game seems to be improving with each passing playoff game. That is good news for Nashville as having him peak in the last three rounds vs. the first three may be just the thing the Preds need to play deep into June.
Game time is 7pm central… game coverage begins with pregame on 102.5 the Game at 6pm. Then CNBC has the TV coverage at 7pm, Pete Weber and Hal Gill have the call on the Preds Radio Network. Post game on Fox Sports Tennessee.
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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!
More OT as VGK takes a win in the Shark Tank to take the series lead and Tampa continues the second round trend of home splits.
Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins – Series tied 1-1 - Game three is tomorrow in BOS
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Series tied 1-1 - Game three is tonight in PIT
Western Conference
Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets – Series tied 1-1 - Game three is tonight in WPG
Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks – VGK leads 2-1 - Game four is tomorrow in SJS
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Random Notes
- Bridgestone Arena is open tonight for a watch party… $10 admission that goes to the Nashville Predators Foundation.
- Keep a close eye on the JoFA line tonight. Winnipeg has to find a way to stop them.
- The Predators have won five of their last six playoff overtime games.
- Winnipeg has not lost at Bell MTS Place since February 27, 2018… I wonder who won that game…
- Good one in San Jose last night… Vegas wins in OT and takes home ice advantage back.
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