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Playoff Shots from Last Night

April 26, 2016, 5:00 PM ET [9 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
SlapShot Radio’s intrepid photographer was back capturing the action at the Bridge, see the album at the the SlapShot Radio Facebook page.
Courtesy SlapShotRadio-DLM

All photos are courtesy of SlapShot Radio/DLM

SlapShot Radio is back tomorrow night, live from Anaheim with our guests, radio color analyst for the Ducks, Dan Wood to help get us ready for game seven and we will take a look at the much anticipated Round 2 matchup between the Penguins and the Capitals with Comcast SportsNet's Chuck Gormley.

We will take you all the way to pregame, tomorrow night on SlapShot RAdio, 7pm central on 102.5 the Game.

ICYMI - here's today's post...



That says it all. After last night’s 3-1 Game 6 win over Anaheim, the Predators are heading west one more time for something that has never happened in the 18 years of this franchise’s existence.

Game 7.

Coming into last night’s game, something had to give. Two teams with a history of futility in Game 6 situations battling to exorcise the demons of that futility and it was Nashville that came out on top in an excellent hockey game where no quarter was given. Both teams played well, but finally, Nashville found the game that they had lost while dropping three in a row.

As game time approached, Bridgestone Arena slowly filled with a frankly, skeptical Pred Nation… you could feel it as sold out Bridgestone Arena wondered which team was going to show up, Game 1 & 2 Predators, or the other guys. As puck drop approached the crowd seemed to shake off the doubts and they built to a ear-splitting crescendo at puck drop… and they kept it going… and going… and going... urging their team on with a total of three (yes, three) TV Timeout standing ovations.

And the Predators responded… a nice little switch play eight minutes into the second period had Calle Jarnkrok feeding Mattias Ekholm behind the net as Matty Ice curled behind, came out into shooting position at the hash marks and buried a nice little snap shot to break the scoreless tie and send Pred Nation into a frenzy… then, about nine minutes later, Ryan Johansen showed why he was acquired… picking up the puck in the defensive zone, initiating a rush up ice, scanning for the right play and as he hit the top of the offensive circle found a wide open James Neal, hit Neal on the tape for the Preds second goal and eventual game winner.

Then, the wait began for the inevitable push back… and Pred Nation knew how it would happen… a simply ridiculous penalty call on Ekholm for being grabbed and held by Hampus Lindholm with :43 seconds left in the period, a power play goal by Ryan Kesler on a scramble in front of the net :29 seconds later and bang, it’s a one goal game heading into the locker room.

After almost 40 minutes of swallowed whistles… that was the penalty called??? A simply confounding call. Over the intermission, the question was… do the Predators play the third period to win, or simply not to lose?

It was a determined bunch of Predators that came out for the third period… winning the initial faceoff and immediately getting a shot on Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen. Nashville played a smart third period, they were defensively responsible, continued to initiate the physical play and clear the slot for Pekka Rinne… who was on his game, stoning the Ducks repeatedly and sending Corey Perry’s frustration level to 11 by stopping him point blank with 6:40 left.

Nashville best sequence may have been the last four minutes of the game where they refused to allow Anaheim to set up, with Mike Fisher winning a crucial faceoff with two minutes to go, keeping the play in the Preds offensive zone, not allowing Anaheim to pull their goaltender until about 1:20 left, and after a couple of nice blocked shots, Shea Weber nailed a 150 ft. empty net goal to seal the deal and send this series back to Anaheim.

Savor this a little Smashville… that one was a lot of fun.

Game 7 start time is 9pm central. There are watch parties at Buffalo Wild Wings across Middle Tennessee and a Plaza Party at the Nissan Broadway Entrance to Bridgestone Arena. SlapShot Radio will be an extended pre-game for game seven starting at 7pm on 102.5 the Game.

Back with a game seven preview tomorrow.

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Cause for Joy – Besides tying the series, the Anaheim pucker factor for Game 7 will be humongous!

Cause for Concern – Uncharted territory for a Nashville franchise playing in its first game 7.

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Random Playoff Notes

- I didn’t expect to have a “Lou Nolan” moment last night… but after a few knuckle heads tried to express their displeasure by throwing their rally towels on the ice I had to make the “announcement.”

- Pred Nation set a record last night… for the first time since the tradition began, there were three TV timeout standing ovations.

- Nashville had only eight giveaways last night, their lowest results in that stat for the series. The Preds out hit Anaheim and face offs were basically even.

- Game 7 records for the two teams… Anaheim – 2-5, Nashville – 0-0

- The Game 7 questions started right after the game… the Ducks have lost three consecutive game sevens at home in the last three playoff seasons. They are going to get this question right up until game time…

- The Predators will remain on the West Coast should they win Wednesday night… the round two series is rumored to be starting on either Friday or Saturday at SAP Center in San Jose.

- Congratulations to the St. Louis Blues… they exorcised a few demons of their own, finally breaking through with a first round series win… and doing it over the defending Stanley Cup champ.

- No hockey tonight… The Islanders/Lightning 2nd round series begins tomorrow at 6pm central.

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First Round Series Snapshots - all times Central

- Predators / Ducks – Series tied 3-3 – Game 7 – Wed @ ANA – 9pm – Fox Sports TN / NBCSN

- 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 STL in Round 2I

- Blues / Blackhawks – STL wins 4-3 – Will face DAL in Round 2

- 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. Pete Weber will be joining us live from SAP Center and we will have you ready for puck drop of Game Seven.

SlapShot Radio is the longest running hockey show in the mid-south delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio. Our premier, day one sponsor is Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762. Also, our newest member of the SSR Sponsorship family is Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799.

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