The Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks just need to keep doing what they’re doing. They’ve already swept both games here in Nashville, so I don’t expect they’ll be rattled by our GOLD and loud noises and Tim McGraw appearances. They don’t have to be afraid of taking down a player when the Preds actually do get a good scoring chance because they’re killing every single penalty, and they’re doing it easily. Sometimes with help:
C’Mon Ref: Arvidsson was not guilty of embellishment – TSN
But they’re doing pretty ok without the refs too.
There are the Game 7s but the #NHLDucks also have the mental hurdle that has become their recent Game 6s. https://t.co/HOotAJXECW
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) April 25, 2016
Yeah, the Ducks are chokers, so we have that going for us. Maybe since we’ve choked away a 2-0 lead the Ducks’ choking will take over and they’ll choke away two of their own? Fingers crossed.
The Nashville Predators
I like Craig Smith and all, but I never would’ve imagined that he was the glue that held this entire roster together. If he is, we might have an encouraging sign. I have to think if there’s any way at all that he can go tonight, he will.
Preds forward Craig Smith skating today. Looks healthy. Still listed day to day. pic.twitter.com/80sqkiezZr
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) April 24, 2016
As for the other guys, DO SOMETHING. It’s a problem that Cody Bass has outplayed several of the forwards on this roster. And we’ve said it here before, but 1 for 22 on the power play is totally unacceptable. Of course, they had fewer chances to fail with the man advantage on Saturday because they only drew 3 penalties to the Ducks’ 7. That’s got to be flipped tonight AND the Preds need to cash in. Probably more than once. Also, and I’m pretty sure you can’t game-plan this, but the Preds need a freaking bounce to go their way. Something like this:
Your top Freddie Andersen moment of the season… Gives up a goal to James Neal from center ice. #Preds #ANAvsNSH pic.twitter.com/5WQeHZM2VY
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) April 19, 2016
Or hell, even like this:
Ducks tied it up at 1-1 just moments after Johansen’s goal #Preds #NHLDucks. Deflection/pop up goes in: pic.twitter.com/njP2gr98ov
— Mark Harris (@MCHisTweeting) April 23, 2016
Despite all of this and all I’ve seen the past three games (and likely a pinch of delusion and a heaping helping of mental illness), I BELIEVE the Preds can win this game. Do they? We’ll see in a few hours.
See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me
Where to Watch
7:00 PM CST puck drop from The Bridge. The game will be on FS-TN locally and CNBC (in the United States) nationally. Local radio: 102.5 The Game.