Demon, be gone! and watch out for that pea soup...
There was an exorcism last night at the Honda Center as the Nashville Predators reversed last year’s game five collapse. They banished the ghosts with a stirring comeback win in overtime, beating the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in overtime to take a 3-2 series lead. Pred Nation knows how Anaheim fans feel this morning, this happened last year to Nashville… with game five seemingly in hand, a late goal… and a quick goal in overtime gave Chicago a 3-2 lead in the series, the Blackhawks went on to win the series… and the history was made.
The Predators may not have the star power of Anaheim, but they have done the little things right in this series, a key face off win, a timely goal from an unlikely source, discipline to stay out of the box when needed. Last night’s game was a back and forth affair that kept every fan on the edge of their seats, fitting that a national TV audience finally got to see what we’ve been talking about. This is one helluva series.
Over the last few games I kept getting asked “is this the biggest game in Predator’s history?” My stock answer has been “nope… there are bigger ones to come.” But I will say, Game Six one does rank up there. It is not too much of a stretch to compare it to the 1980 US Olympic team, the victory over the Russians was huge, but it didn’t mean anything if they didn’t move on and win gold two days later. So… not to be a buzzkill… but this win means nothing unless it is followed by one more.
Game six is Sunday evening, with a 5pm start time at the crazed den of insanity. The game five demon is gone… but… another one is lurking, bigger and meaner and harder to kill.
If anyone thinks this series is in the bag… get that out of your head right now. All of the obvious pressure is clearly on the Ducks as they have no more wiggle room, no tomorrow. The Predators will experience their own kind of pressure. The pressure of getting King Kong off their back once and for all…
Rest your voices Pred Nation, Easter Sunday will be off the hook at Bridgestone Arena.
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Random Notes
- I apologize to my neighbors for the screaming, yelling and general mayhem at around midnight last night. My entire family went crazy when Smithson scored, fitting that the ultimate Predator scored last night’s game winner.
- Shane O’Brien is having a difficult series. Five of Anaheim’s power play goals in this series have come when he has been in the box.
- Bobby Ryan scored the best goal of the playoff so far, an incredible effort that will be on highlight reels for years to come.
- Jordin Tootoo is quietly having one incredible series. This is the type of player David Poile and the Predators scouting staff envisioned when they first signed him.
- Kudos to JP Dumont, a key contributor to the traffic screening Ray Emery on Shea Weber’s game tying goal. That’s what a pro does…
- Congratulations to Pekka Rinne on his Vezina nomination. While I believe that Tim Thomas will win it, Rinne deserves to be top three.
- The Buffalo Sabres took advantage of weak goaltending once again, taking a 3-2 lead over Philadelphia as the series heads back to HSBC Arena.
- When will the Philadelphia Flyers stop being so stubborn and invest in some goaltending? The “Spit and Kleenex” approach they have taken over the past 20 or so years is flat out not working.
- The Road Ice Advantage series continues today. Which team will finally hold serve? I’m betting Boston finally breaks through today.
- Today’s playoff schedule – Three potential clinchers today… Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh – Penguins lead 3-2, 11am CDT (Versus, CBC), New York @ Washington – Capitals lead 3-1, 2pm CDT (NBC, TSN), Montreal @ Boston – Series tied 2-2, 6pm CDT (Versus, CBC), Los Angeles @ San Jose – Sharks lead 3-1, 9:30pm CDT (Versus, TSN)
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