Lineups:
Clayton Stoner could make his first appearance of the playoffs for Anaheim next to Simon Despres on the back-end of the Ducks lineup:
Looking like Clayton Stoner might be in for Game 7 on the third pairing with Simon Despres.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) April 27, 2016
Everything else for the Ducks will probably be the same with Frederik Andersen backstopping for Game 7 and Nashville’s favorite players to hate on separate lines (Ryan Getzlaf / Corey Perry).
It also looks like Cody Bass will be out of the lineup tonight as his failed hit caused him to bash the boards hard on Monday night:
Cody Bass, lower-body injury, does not appear to be on the ice for #Preds morning skate. #NSHvsANA
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) April 27, 2016
Predictions:
It’s Game 7…
Any predictions are going to be fool-hardy. The Predators head coach, Peter Laviolette, has a great record in Game 7’s; 4-1 to be exact. Bruce Boudreau, on the other hand, not so much. The energy and momentum coming off the dramatic Game 6 win in Nashville for the Predators should carry over into tonight.
Having Craig Smith back in the lineup paid huge dividends and opened up the ice for other lines to contribute. Laviolette put all his eggs in one basket by moving Filip Forsberg to the top line with James Neal and Ryan Johansen. This firestorm of offensive potential overwhelmed the Ducks defense and lead to the Predators 2-0 lead in the second stanza.
Game 7 is unknown territory for Nashville Predators fans. The excitement and nervous energy are palpable throughout the internet and social media from all Gold and Blue wearing Fans of the Fang. Tonight is the night…there will be handshakes…but what will tomorrow hold for Nashville?