Nashville Predators News
On The Forecheck Podcast Episode 19: PLAYOFFS?! – featuring Canes Country – On the Forecheck
A full preview of Round One with Canes Country’s editor paves way to an even greater french fry debate.
Playoff Preview: Looking back at the Hurricanes and Predators regular season series – Canes Country
The Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators are about to throw down in the first ever playoff meeting between the two southern clubs.
Carolina Hurricanes set to allow more fans vs. Nashville Predators (usatoday.com)
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Friday lifted state restrictions on indoor events and social distancing, which will allow the Hurricanes to welcome about 12,000 fans in for the playoffs, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. That total is nearly double the expected capacity of roughly 6,000 that the newspaper reported earlier this week.
Around Hockey
Canadiens’ Price, Gallagher expected to play Game 1 of playoffs after AHL loan (sportsnet.ca)
Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher and goaltender Carey Price have been re-assigned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket on a long-term injury conditioning loan, after which they are expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team announced Sunday.
Anderson likely to start for Capitals in Game 2 against Bruins (nhl.com)
Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said Sunday he had no update on the severity of the lower-body injury Vitek Vanecek sustained in the first period of a 3-2 overtime win in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series Saturday, other than that the rookie goalie is day to day.
Though goalie Ilya Samsonov participated in an optional practice after being removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol Saturday, Laviolette said Samsonov probably would need some practice time before he’s ready to at least dress as the backup.
Hellebuyck maintains sole focus is winning the Cup, embracing underdog role – Video – TSN
The Winnipeg Jets have been grinding former UMass-Lowell goaltender Connor Hellebuyck into the ground this season, similar to how the Tampa Bay Lighting used to overwork Andrei Vasilevskiy. The extra rest for the North Division playoff teams must be a boon for him.