Paul McCann: Game Six Game Night in Smashville

I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue..

Go Preds!

- The third period has been key for Nashville in the playoffs, outscoring opponents 20-9 in the penultimate stanza.

The Predators haven't scored a 1st or 2nd period goal since game 2 in Anaheim.... Lets get Bridgestone into it early!

Here's hoping the Preds get off to a much better start early on than they did in game 4.

Sharks fan rooting for you guys tonight! You've been my pick to win it since the Sharks went down and I hope you pull it off!

The Predators haven't scored a 1st or 2nd period goal since game 2 in Anaheim.... Lets get Bridgestone into it early!
- benderboots

Wilson's PP goal was late second in Game 5.

Any update on Aberg? I don't think I've ever seen a player score a goal and then be forced to leave a game before.

Really pulling for you guys, but will be a tiny bit sad if you guys win a Cup without Shea Weber. What's the general feeling on him these days?

Go Preds. (frank) the Ducks. And suck it Iggy. Nuff said.

Paul, I have a couple of small gripes with your post. First, the "penultimate" period is the 2nd period. The Preds have been decidedly mediocre in the 2nd period lately, even though it was a strength for them most of the season. I think you meant the 3rd period - in which the Preds have been amazing in almost every game.

Also, I don't know that Rinne has clearly outplayed Gibson in this series. He has been great & made key saves at key moments. But the argument can be made that the goaltending has been pretty even in this series.

As to the question about Preds' fans feelings about Shea Weber:

Preds fans will always love Weber. He was a homegrown player who developed into a top-5 defenseman in the NHL. Between his toughness and the nastiest slap shot in the league - he became a super star. That's why he was so loved. And there weren't many dry eyes in the house earlier this year when Weber made his return & the Preds played the tribute video.

His strengths and style of play did not work as well in Laviolette's system as they did when Trotz was the coach. Preds fans don't fault Weber for that, and they were not exactly excited to see him go. That said, I think most fans now realize why Poile made the move to pick up Subban. He fits the system better & is younger.

As for tonight, I think the first goal might be a bigger factor than it has been most of the series. If the Preds get it, they could take the Ducks out of the game early by pouring on the pressure. If the Ducks get it, the Preds could really tighten up given some of the lineup changes and such, and the expectations of the crowd that will be in a frenzy.

Statement game.

Statement game.

Hope we can count on this 82 times next year too.

Paul, I have a couple of small gripes with your post. First, the "penultimate" period is the 2nd period. The Preds have been decidedly mediocre in the 2nd period lately, even though it was a strength for them most of the season. I think you meant the 3rd period - in which the Preds have been amazing in almost every game.

Also, I don't know that Rinne has clearly outplayed Gibson in this series. He has been great & made key saves at key moments. But the argument can be made that the goaltending has been pretty even in this series.

As to the question about Preds' fans feelings about Shea Weber:

Preds fans will always love Weber. He was a homegrown player who developed into a top-5 defenseman in the NHL. Between his toughness and the nastiest slap shot in the league - he became a super star. That's why he was so loved. And there weren't many dry eyes in the house earlier this year when Weber made his return & the Preds played the tribute video.

His strengths and style of play did not work as well in Laviolette's system as they did when Trotz was the coach. Preds fans don't fault Weber for that, and they were not exactly excited to see him go. That said, I think most fans now realize why Poile made the move to pick up Subban. He fits the system better & is younger.

As for tonight, I think the first goal might be a bigger factor than it has been most of the series. If the Preds get it, they could take the Ducks out of the game early by pouring on the pressure. If the Ducks get it, the Preds could really tighten up given some of the lineup changes and such, and the expectations of the crowd that will be in a frenzy.
- holycow_75

Yes. Well stated.

Statement game.
- bcallaway

Have you fixed the slice in your tee shot yet? You've had plenty of time.

Have you fixed the slice in your tee shot yet? You've had plenty of time.
- RonMexico333

IF the PREDS come out in period one and "S H I T the BED LIKE THEY DID IN GAME 4" I will have zero franks for them. That period was a total disgrace to the team and fans... I'm still mad over that....

Statement game.
- bcallaway

The goaltending advantage has been clearly in Nashville’s favor, Pekka Rinne continues his outstanding netminding in the playoffs, causing plenty of writers to have to grudgingly eat their words.
- Paul McCann

I wouldn't say that the goaltending edge has clearly been in Nashville's favor. I felt that Gibson was outplaying him before he left the last game. Rinne then arguably outplayed Bernier for two periods, but, taking the whole series into consideration, Anaheim has gotten slightly better goaltending than Nashville. At the very least, though, it's roughly even and not a clear advantage in Nashville's favor, IMO.

I wouldn't say that the goaltending edge has clearly been in Nashville's favor. I felt that Gibson was outplaying him before he left the last game. Rinne then arguably outplayed Bernier for two periods, but, taking the whole series into consideration, Anaheim has gotten slightly better goaltending than Nashville. At the very least, though, it's roughly even and not a clear advantage in Nashville's favor, IMO.
- Osprey

Agreed. Total GA are 13 to 11. I believe there has been only 1 EN goal, so 12 to 11.

Looks pretty even to me.

Have you fixed the slice in your tee shot yet? You've had plenty of time.
- RonMexico333

Haven't fixed it in 50 years and counting.

Haven't fixed it in 50 years and counting.
- bcallaway

I'm right there with ya mate

I wouldn't say that the goaltending edge has clearly been in Nashville's favor. I felt that Gibson was outplaying him before he left the last game. Rinne then arguably outplayed Bernier for two periods, but, taking the whole series into consideration, Anaheim has gotten slightly better goaltending than Nashville. At the very least, though, it's roughly even and not a clear advantage in Nashville's favor, IMO.
- Osprey

Depends on what you mean by edge, Rinne has made more timely saves then Gibson has, especially in the 3rd period when Anaheim has had the lead more times then not. By rights, if Gibson was slightly better, the series lead would be in favor of the Ducks. To be fair though, the difference in this series isn't goaltending, it's defense. The Ducks D are faring much worse than the Preds.

What's the word on Fisher for tonight's game?

IF the PREDS come out in period one and "S H I T the BED LIKE THEY DID IN GAME 4" I will have zero franks for them. That period was a total disgrace to the team and fans... I'm still mad over that....
- pred_26

When you find a team that wins 82+ games a year...go root for them!!!

When you find a team that wins 82+ games a year...go root for them!!!
- SouthNash

Well if your in the WCF every game is vital, to come out as flat as they did and take a whooping 2 shots is inexcusable....

When you find a team that wins 82+ games a year...go root for them!!!
- SouthNash

How can you make excuses for them for the period, even the players are still talking about it