The Nashville Predators won Game 1 and proved to the rest of the NHL what their fans already know: We’re Good.
For some reason, the nerves were not amplified during Game 1. It was as if we knew we could handle our own. As a Nashville Predators fan, you have to understand that the national media will not be on your side, if you can block them out you will be okay.
It took all of 35 seconds for the Nashville Predators to set the tone for the Game. James Neal decided to make his name know as he went top shelf on Ducks goalie John Gibson. The Predators also proved that the Ducks PP an PK was not as serious as we thought seeing the Ducks had to score on a 5v3 instead of 5v4.
The biggest contributor of the evening had to be Ryan Ellis. Not only did Ellis complete a gorgeous pass to Colin Wilson, he saved the game from potentially going to OT.
Game 2 should live up to the excitement of Game 1.
Anaheim Ducks
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The Ducks were probably extremely shocked and confused when they went to sleep Friday night. Visions of 2011 had to be dancing in their head. The four consecutive Pacific Division Winner dropped the series opener on home ice which was a shock to everyone. It was the first time in the last four playoff series that the Ducks lost the opener.
A lot will need to change so the Ducks can win Game 2 and tie the series. Getzlaf and Kesler let their scoring be shown while Corey Perry was nowhere to be found. The Ducks also went down a defenseman as John Manson was laid out by Filip Forsberg which resulted in an upper body and head injury. But all should be good as it seems as Kevin Bieksa will return to the line up for Game 2.
The Nashville Predators already did what they needed to do. Now its time for the Ducks to show up. If the Ducks fall back 2-0 then the series could end up being nearly over as the series switches back to Smashville.
Nashville Predators
Don’t get excited but the Nashville Predators have a chance to go 2-0 in a series for the first time ever! The Predators stayed hot and aggressive and forced their way to a 1-0 series lead in front of a raucous Honda Center crowd Friday night. If Nashville can duplicate what they did Friday, they should skate off with another win.
Behind some stellar defense and aggressive offense, Nashville basically did what they wanted to do in Game 1. James Neal set the tone early in the game, 35 seconds in, which gave the Preds enough momentum to stay focused all night. Even after the Ducks went up 2-1 the Preds did not panic and fought back to win 3-2.
During Game 1, Pekka Rinne gained his 16th career win while Forsberg scored his fifth playoff goal and first game-winning playoff goal. Going into Game 2 Shea Weber will tie David Legwand‘s record of most playoff games played as a member of the Nashville Predators.
Prediction
Game 2 will be a little different as tempers flared after Game 1 so we should see some fireworks tonight. The Nashville Predators proved to the rest of the NHL what the fans already know: We’re Good. Yes statistically, the Ducks may have the stats just like a lot of teams that are better than Nashville’s. But, this team doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. They truly believe in themselves.
I am predicting Nashville to win Game 2 in almost the same fashion as Game 1. I could honestly see Nashville sweeping the Ducks but I do not want to get ahead of myself.
Next: Early Thoughts on the Playoffs
It’s Playoff Hockey Smashville. It’s time to get loud and get proud for your Nashville Predators. Remember we are playing the Ducks, stay physical:
Hit Somebody, Hit Anybody, Hit Everybody!-Cellblock 303