Paul McCann: The Game Two GBU

The Bad - Face offs, face offs, face offs. The reason this is in the bad, and not the ugly? 5-on-5 faceoffs, the Predators won 52%... they went 1-5 on faceoffs on special teams. When the game was on the line, in the third period, Anaheim won 57% of the draws during this critical period.
- pmccann

In the final minute, minute and a half of the game Johansen lost 4 consecutive faceoffs.

I think we all want a clean game and some of the Ducks after-the-whistle shenanigans get a little tiresome, even for fans, but they work well and they have been effective for years now, certainly not just this game or this year. If and when Neal engages in similar shenanigans, will it be considered crap as well, or justice? Was the tiny head butt on Kelser by Johansen (?) to start the game also considered crap or just a little gamesmanship?

No mention of the Forsberg spear either...

I think Preds began playing as if the game was over after going up 2-0. Appeared to abandon the system or at least abandoned the effort/focus to play the system.
I am confident that Lavy will regroup the troops in the friendly confines of the 'Stone.

Kesler has been a thorn in the side of Preds fans for years - dating back to Vancouver. He is an agitator that also has some offensive skill. It's a rare combo, and if he wore gold, he would be a favorite of many of the Preds faithful. But his antics for some reason often go uncalled. I'm not sure why. He seems to have a good sense for where the "line" is for the refs, and goes right up to it before and after the whistle. I think he embellishes some things and gets a pass on those because he's kind of a gritty player and referees assume he's not embellishing. And he has some dirty elements to his game.

That said, I think he and Johansen are in each other's heads. He goaded Johansen into some bad plays and had him second-guessing on the faceoff dot. But during the live action, Johansen mostly outplayed him.

To me, the Preds are in deep trouble if they don't get some other line combination working. Good teams and coaches can find ways to neutralize and overcome one hot line and a couple of strong offensive D-men. Smith's absence, to me, continues to be a major problem for the Preds. I mean, McLeod and Fiddler played 7 minutes each last night. I know Anaheim is physical, but I wonder if Smith is able to skate Tuesday, if Lavy changes things up to ice a speedy 4th line with Harry Z. I think Watson and Solamaki can provide enough physical presence, and I think Fiddler might've seen his last action.

All of that said, if Rinne didn't have a bad game, the Preds may have still won last night, despite many of the flaws that rose to the surface. If they can bounce back Tuesday night, I still like their chances.

Also, for the first time in 18 years of cheering this team, I feel like the Preds have a legitimate first line that is among the tops in the league. It's at least a line that others have to account for. That's something I wasn't sure I would ever see. Not gonna be cheap to keep them together long term. But man, they create some great chances. That's fun to watch!

That's something I wasn't sure I would ever see. Not gonna be cheap to keep them together long term. But man, they create some great chances. That's fun to watch!

Who knew? Goals are fun!

I'm a little concerned, Lavy needs to mix a line or two up, but nothing too major. The blues were better than the Ducks, but the Ducks have more bumholes on their team......
Pekka looked weak on his right side. If you look at the first goals in both games they were scored on similar shots. AND I THINK PEKKA DUCKED on that third goal. WTF Man.. comeon

Kesler has been a thorn in the side of Preds fans for years - dating back to Vancouver. He is an agitator that also has some offensive skill. It's a rare combo, and if he wore gold, he would be a favorite of many of the Preds faithful. But his antics for some reason often go uncalled. I'm not sure why. He seems to have a good sense for where the "line" is for the refs, and goes right up to it before and after the whistle. I think he embellishes some things and gets a pass on those because he's kind of a gritty player and referees assume he's not embellishing. And he has some dirty elements to his game.

That said, I think he and Johansen are in each other's heads. He goaded Johansen into some bad plays and had him second-guessing on the faceoff dot. But during the live action, Johansen mostly outplayed him.

To me, the Preds are in deep trouble if they don't get some other line combination working. Good teams and coaches can find ways to neutralize and overcome one hot line and a couple of strong offensive D-men. Smith's absence, to me, continues to be a major problem for the Preds. I mean, McLeod and Fiddler played 7 minutes each last night. I know Anaheim is physical, but I wonder if Smith is able to skate Tuesday, if Lavy changes things up to ice a speedy 4th line with Harry Z. I think Watson and Solamaki can provide enough physical presence, and I think Fiddler might've seen his last action.

All of that said, if Rinne didn't have a bad game, the Preds may have still won last night, despite many of the flaws that rose to the surface. If they can bounce back Tuesday night, I still like their chances.

Also, for the first time in 18 years of cheering this team, I feel like the Preds have a legitimate first line that is among the tops in the league. It's at least a line that others have to account for. That's something I wasn't sure I would ever see. Not gonna be cheap to keep them together long term. But man, they create some great chances. That's fun to watch!
- holycow_75

Kesler has been a thorn in the side of Preds fans for years - dating back to Vancouver. He is an agitator that also has some offensive skill. It's a rare combo, and if he wore gold, he would be a favorite of many of the Preds faithful. But his antics for some reason often go uncalled. I'm not sure why. He seems to have a good sense for where the "line" is for the refs, and goes right up to it before and after the whistle. I think he embellishes some things and gets a pass on those because he's kind of a gritty player and referees assume he's not embellishing. And he has some dirty elements to his game.

That said, I think he and Johansen are in each other's heads. He goaded Johansen into some bad plays and had him second-guessing on the faceoff dot. But during the live action, Johansen mostly outplayed him.

To me, the Preds are in deep trouble if they don't get some other line combination working. Good teams and coaches can find ways to neutralize and overcome one hot line and a couple of strong offensive D-men. Smith's absence, to me, continues to be a major problem for the Preds. I mean, McLeod and Fiddler played 7 minutes each last night. I know Anaheim is physical, but I wonder if Smith is able to skate Tuesday, if Lavy changes things up to ice a speedy 4th line with Harry Z. I think Watson and Solamaki can provide enough physical presence, and I think Fiddler might've seen his last action.

All of that said, if Rinne didn't have a bad game, the Preds may have still won last night, despite many of the flaws that rose to the surface. If they can bounce back Tuesday night, I still like their chances.

Also, for the first time in 18 years of cheering this team, I feel like the Preds have a legitimate first line that is among the tops in the league. It's at least a line that others have to account for. That's something I wasn't sure I would ever see. Not gonna be cheap to keep them together long term. But man, they create some great chances. That's fun to watch!
- holycow_75

Couple own goals in game 1 for Ducks they win. This is what makes hockey great. You just can't write this stuff and never know what can happen. These teams are virtually the same IMO. Every game is so close. What team makes a mistake or lucky bounce or goalie makes that save. Smells like a potential 7 game series to me.

Win 1 out of 2 on the road.
Win our 2 home games.
Lose game 5 on the road
Clinch game 6 at home.

Ha. Home advantage is pointless. If we learned anything from last years playoffs it is that neither team cares where they are playing. As a matter of fact both teams seem to love the boos and jeers that come from the road.
How that subban trade. You ain't shea weber to protect now.

Saw a stat that if the first two games are a split the winner of game 3, 67% of the time they win the series..... just sayn...

I think we all want a clean game and some of the Ducks after-the-whistle shenanigans get a little tiresome, even for fans, but they work well and they have been effective for years now, certainly not just this game or this year. If and when Neal engages in similar shenanigans, will it be considered crap as well, or justice? Was the tiny head butt on Kelser by Johansen (?) to start the game also considered crap or just a little gamesmanship?

1st- please don't equate a minor, low impact head bump w/ what Kesler constantly does. If that's the same to you then you won't like my answer.

2nd- that IS gamesmanship however, though RyJo played well last night IMO that head butt shows me he took Keslers bait.

Regardless of whether Keslers crap should be called or not, to engage is playing to his, and the Ducks, game plan and should be ignored.

Having a word w/ the ref or HCPL drawing attention to the crap is fine, but RyJo is clearly the faster, more skilled player and is playing well. He needs to focus on using that advantage.

Rinne lost that game.

I was there on Friday night and was really impressed with what I saw from the Preds. They looked good last night as well although Rinne gave up some uncharacteristic, at least for this playoff season, bad goals. If he plays like he did through rounds 1 and 2 then I hate to say that the Preds will win this series. If not all bets are off.

Win 1 out of 2 on the road.
Win our 2 home games.
Lose game 5 on the road
Clinch game 6 at home.
- benderboots

Where have we seen that before?

What I would love to see is the Preds leave Kesler completely untouched and every little shot, slash, spear, elbow, slew foot, cross check, face wash, etc.. they put on every other Duck just tell them it was courtesy of Ryan Kesler..

Rinne lost that game.
- Feds91Stammer

He's coming back down to earth. Just the beginning for him to start leaking like the sieve that he is

He's coming back down to earth. Just the beginning for him to start leaking like the sieve that he is
- BGKarras

Yep, your right 2 bad games in two different series.. certainly spells doom for all...

What I would love to see is the Preds leave Kesler completely untouched and every little shot, slash, spear, elbow, slew foot, cross check, face wash, etc.. they put on every other Duck just tell them it was courtesy of Ryan Kesler..
- coaster28

Kesler is doing a damn good job, proven by attracting all this hate.

Gotta love Johansen crying to the media, totally showed everyone that Kesler is in his head.

HEy, heard a rumor that Taylor swift is singing the national athem tomorrow any one confirming or denying??

HEy, heard a rumor that Taylor swift is singing the national athem tomorrow any one confirming or denying??
- pred_26

Mr. Underwood confirms.

Mr. Underwood confirms.
- getzlaugh

Sounds like someone is jealous.

Sounds like someone is jealous.
- pred_26

Oh please. Of what?