The Nashville Predators had a strong Game 6 outing and will play in their first Game 7 ever.
We did it.
The Nashville Predators played their brand of hockey on Monday to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive and force a Game 7. This will be the first Game 7 in franchise history and everyone is excited and can’t wait for that puck at 9pm on Wednesday night.
The pressure shifts to the Ducks. Anaheim was supposed to win this series. Nashville was not even supposed to have a chance. Nashville has already played in their elimination game, Nashville will be ready. Will Anaheim?
Anaheim Ducks
After a difficult Game 6 in Smashville, the Ducks return home looking to end the series once again. Anaheim had a lot of good chances in the game but couldn’t put a dent in the wall known as Pekka Rinne. The only tally of the game for the Ducks came on the PP after Ryan Kesler was able to sneak the puck into the net after it fell through Rinne’s pads.
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The biggest question that all fans on both sides are asking is, where is
? The controversial sniper has yet to score a single goal this playoff series. Even though Perry has not lit the lamp in the series he has still been a force to mess with. You can never take your eyes off of someone with that kind of scoring potential.
The Ducks have been at their best when they have forced Nashville into easy mistakes and dumb penalties. Nashville committed two penalties in Game 6 and very well could have and should have killed off both.
Will the Anaheim Ducks finally win their Game 7? Honestly at this point, who knows. The Ducks were searching for answers after Game 2 and found W’s in the next three outings. Now the Ducks are back in the same form as Game 1 and 2. Anaheim fans will just have to wait and see what Game 7 holds for their postseason run.
The last three seasons have ended in heartbreak for the Anaheim Ducks as they have been eliminated in three straight Game 7’s all on home-ice. Will history repeat itself for the fourth straight years?
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators survived to make it to Game 7 for the first time in franchise history. It’s great to know that season is not over yet and hopefully it is far from over. The number one thing that you don’t want to give a team like Nashville is any type of momentum.
For the first time all series, Nashville seemed complete in all categories. Nashville not only led in the hit category they also led in blocked shots and came close to winning the faceoff circle and shots on goal. The Predators won the first and second period while the crowd easily dictated the 3rd period atmosphere which helped the boys in gold and blue to the next level. The Nashville Predators already won their Game 7, the real Game 7 will not be an easy task by any means but the Preds are ready and hungry.
If the absence of Craig Smith meant this much to our roster then it’s sure good to have him back. With Smith back, it opened up the rest of the ice for key contributors to stretch out and play some good hockey.
All momentum is on the side of the Nashville Predators. They are hungry for the next round. If history is correct, Nashville will be playing on Friday against San Jose in the 2nd round as Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau is 1-6 in his career coaching Game 7’s.
"“It’s awesome. Looking forward to it,” Captain Shea Weber told predators.nhl.com about Game 7. “You grow up with playing these street-hockey games, Game 7s, and you dream of it, so it’s going to be a good time.”"
Prediction
Remember to drink plenty of coffee and catch a nap or two before the late puck drop tomorrow. Also, a defibrillator would help as this game will have you on the edge of your seat for the full 60 minutes of regulation.
The game can go in any direction so expect the unexpected. Nashville will be in California for a while as they should win this game. It could be a blow out, crazy last second finish or a dramatic OT win. Playoff time is the greatest time of the year and a Game 7 win could go down as possibly the greatest win in franchise history.
Next: Pekka Just Needs to Be Good For a Win
If Nashville plays their cards right they could find themselves in the Western Conference Final against a battered and bruised St. Louis or Dallas team. But, as much of a possibility as that is, Nashville can only do that if they win Game 7.
C’mon Smashville!