It seems like the playoffs have been going on for a week already doesn't it?
And yet the Predators and Ducks finally arrive at the dance tonight at 10:30 pm ET after some teams have already played their second games....and this series could be a long one.
On the Ducks...
These Ducks have been one of the more fascinating teams in the past decade or so. They started off absolutely horribly, and all of us who picked them to be a Cup contender looked like idiots....for a few months. Since then however.. the Ducks have been maybe the best Ducks team since they raised the mighty Cup... The Ducks can at times resemble the old Russian team in their surgical precision. They come at you in waves and they are big and they are strong. The Ducks offense is known for its power, and yet this is the team who just won the Jennings for the least amount of goals allowed...
On the Preds...
The Predators started off slow as well this year and then really accelerated into the playoffs with some strong play using their speed and of course arguably the best defensive corps in the business. The trade for Ryan Johansen gave Nashville two legit scoring line threats for the first time in their history and that could prove huge in this series. At the end of the day there is one thing that really matters however....
Pekka Rinne will determine the winner of this series, and it is time for him to steal one for the Preds. The Ducks offense is strong, but also has shown a tendency to get frustrated by ace goalies. That is Nashville's hope here. If Rinne plays "great" Nashville could be in trouble. Rinne needs to be superior. That is something he has yet to show in the playoffs, but the time may be right for it now..
Historically the Preds have played the Ducks tough and you can be sure Nashville is happy to be playing playoff hockey away from the Central Division....
Ek's Pick: Preds in 7
your pick?
we will discuss all this and more on today's hockeybuzzcast live at 1pm