“Screaming For Vengenance” – Judas Priest
Hey listen don’t you let them get your mind
Fill your brain with orders and that’s not right.
They’re playing at a game that draws you closer
Till you’re living in a world that’s ruled by fear.
If the Predators thought Anaheim tried to rough them up during game one, then they could be in for a world of hurt tonight.
The Ducks can test any opponent with their unique brand of physicality. Nashville received a heavy dose of it Friday night and nearly lost its heads after the final horn, but chose instead to walk away with a crucial opening victory in tow. With Ducks defenseman Josh Manson receiving a hit from Filip Forsberg, some believing that it may have been a hit to the head, it wouldn’t surprise me if Anaheim came out looking to exact a bit of revenge.
Either way, it’s going to be an uphill climb for the Predators tonight. Don’t be surprised if you see Cody Bass in the line-up again.
“Shots” – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
Shots shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
James Neal had the right idea Friday night. So did Shea Weber and Ryan Ellis. Nashville has to keep firing the puck towards the Ducks net at all cost tonight.
Neal’s nine shots on net tied a franchise playoff record set by Patric Hornqvist in 2011 and tied by Neal just last season. Ducks goaltender John Gibson was peppered with 25 shots during the first and second periods, but only eight in the third — including the eventual game-winner that was redirected off of Shea Theodore’s skate and in.
Albeit a tightly-contested game down the stretch, the Predators have to continue getting the puck low and on net. It’ll go a long way towards Nashville coming home up 2-0 rather than a split series.
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
If you had
One shot
Or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
In one moment
Would you capture it
Or just let it slip?
They’ve never started a series up two games to none in franchise history. Is it possible that the Predators can do so tonight?
It may sound cliche, but Nashville has a singular opportunity to put Anaheim’s back up against the wall coming into a raucous Bridgestone Arena for Tuesday night’s game three.
Right now, there are a few big question marks for the Ducks. Do they continue to trust Gibson between the pipes or switch to Frederik Andersen? Do they rush Kevin Bieksa back into the line-up or go with Korbinian Holzer instead?
A win for Nashville and you’ll not only see a very confident Predators team on Tuesday, but one that will do everything in their power to prevent a second trip to southern California.
A loss to tie things up swings pendulum to its opposite end.
It’s impossible to quantify the importance of tonight’s game for Nashville. Can they earn a monstrous win against a rabid Ducks team that will be hunting for blood or will a loss prepare us for what could be a very long series?