SlapShot Radio’s intrepid photographer was back capturing the action at the Bridge, see the album at the the SlapShot Radio Facebook page.
All photos are courtesy of SlapShot Radio/DLM
I wrote in my game 4 preview...
The Sharks spent a lot of time yesterday saying how good they felt about their position, how they were the best road team in the NHL, yada, yada, yada. Just like Anaheim wanted to close out the Predators in game six, San Jose does not want to go back home with this series tied, no matter how cavalier Coach Peter DeBoer was in his press availability. That being said, this Sharks team has only lost consecutive road games once in 2016. They can be a very confident bunch, with good reason… however, Nashville has shown an innate resilience in these types of situations.
I think I need to buy Powerball tickets… Nashville’s 4-3 triple overtime win over the San Jose Sharks was a classic example of resilience, heart and clear evidence of the Predators growth as a franchise. It was the first playoff overtime win in franchise history, it was also the longest game in franchise history. It tied the series and sent San Jose to their first back-to-back road losses since before the New Year. It will be the first time the Predators have gotten past five games with the Sharks as both previous playoff series ended in five games with the Preds on the wrong side.
Take nothing away from the San Jose Sharks, they continually fought back, coming back from one goal deficits twice in the game and kept pushing through a controversial play in the first overtime involving Joe Pavelski, a glove, and incidental contact, wiping out what would’ve been the game winner. I can see where San Jose would be upset with the call, but frankly, Coach Peter DeBoer was a little disingenuous in his post-game remarks… that call is one of the most consistent calls that the officials have made this season. I understand the frustration.
As the first overtime continued and then the second… the two teams played at an almost unbelievable pace, as Pekka Rinne made save, after save, after save, after frustrating save… you could sense the frustration building for the Sharks… especially after the Predators killed off two rather ill-advised penalties from Shea Weber… the second one in the penultimate third overtime.
The Sharks continued their strategy of keying on Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg… it was clear they were not going to let those two players beat them. In that they were successful, Ryan Johansen was held without a shot on goal, but hit at least two posts and was a threat every time he touched the puck, creating scoring chances and generally being a threat. The threat of the first line, drove a lot of chances… for the line of Mike Fisher, James Neal and Colin Wilson.
Goals for Wilson, Fisher, Neal and the game winner from… you guessed it… Mike Fisher. The Sharks have not had an answer for this line. They need to find one, and fast. Oh, and Pekka Rinne pumped his save percentage up to .933 in the series, 125 saves on 134 shots. He was lights out in all three overtimes.
In the heat of the first overtime, I remember thinking… winner of this game wins the series. That thought became a mantra as the game progressed past midnight. I have tempered that notion in the warm afterglow of the win. If the Sharks won last night, this one was over but as the sun rose over Smashville this morning, it’s a new day… and a brand new series.
Game five tomorrow night at 9pm Central.
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Cause for Joy – Where do I start? Fisher, Rinne, Neal, Wilson… while the Sharks did everything they could to take away the Johansen/Forsberg line… the second line went wild…
Cause for Concern – The giveaway monster reared its’ ugly head again last night… 19 of ‘em for the Predators… that (along with silly penalties) is playing with fire.
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Random Playoff Notes
- Limited Game 6 tickets are available, game time is 8pm, doors open at 6.
- A tip of the hat to Pred Nation last night… Bridgestone Arena was simply electric! The TV timeout standing O with 5 minutes left… the Preds score shortly thereafter… an assist should’ve been awarded to the 7th Man!
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Second Round Snapshots
Lightning / Islanders – TBL Leads 2-1 – Game 4 Tonight @ NYI – 6pm – NBCSN
Capitals / Penguins – PIT leads 3-1 – Game 5 Saturday @ WSH – 7:15pm – NBC
Stars / Blues – Series tied 2-2 – Game 5 Saturday @ DAL – Noon - NBC
Sharks / Predators – Series tied 2-2 – Game 5 Saturday @ SJS – 9pm - NBCSN
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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.
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