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Why the Predators Collapse Last Night Could Work Out Better For Them... |
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Most of us went to bed last night thinking it was decided. Around 11pm ET the Preds were sailing...up 4-0 on an Arizona team that should have been wishing for this season to just go away and Nashville only needed a single point to lock up the first wildcard....My thoughts. as I drifted off to sleep, was of the war that Nashville and Calgary were going to wage..
This morning we woke up to disaster...The Coyotes had not only come all the way back and won 5-4, but had done so in regulation...The Preds were NOT going to see Calgary, but instead would have to face the team 75% of experts picked to win the Stanley Cup back in September..Colorado.
So why in my title do I say the Preds collapse might work out for them?
The last time the Preds collapsed late season into the final spot they had to face defending Champs Chicago. I picked a sweep for the Hawks, but it was Nashville that swept and went on to have an incredible run all the way to the Finals...
Am I saying that could happen again? Not exactly.
However, there are some real advantages to playing Colorado if you are Nashville..
#1. Calgary has a better goalie. Kuemper is a bit unproven in the playoffs, and while he did knock Nashville out of the playoffs in the bubble playing for Arizona, there us no saying how he handles the pressure of backstopping the favorite in Colorado. Markstrom is a flat out better goalie.
#2. Nashville can out physical Colorado. Perhaps the only team that can hang physically with the Preds is Calgary...
#3. The Collapse last night itself solidified Rittich as the guy... There is hope that Saros returns, but two nights ago Rittich looked REALLY strong against the Avalanche...
I'm not making a pick yet, but I would bet even money that Colorado would have rather not got beaten up an played a much more typical team in Dallas....
My predictions will come Monday and Tuesday...Buit what say you?
What say you?
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