Nashville Predators: Quick Takeaways from OT Game 6 Win
The Nashville Predators are once again headed to a deciding Game 7 in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Nashville Predators were assured at least one more game in the Playoffs when Viktor Arvidsson scored just 2:03 into the Overtime period. The Predators won 4-3 and now head back to San Jose for Game 7 to decide who moves on to the next round. They had never experienced a Game 7 before the Anaheim series and are now getting ready for another.
The Preds showed their resiliency by coming back from an early 2-0 deficit in the game. They also had to recover once again after the Sharks went ahead 3-2 half way through the third period with another goal by Playoffs Colin Wilson. That has certainly been the stamp of this Nashville Predators team during the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far. They are 3-0 in elimination games this year.
The Gold-clad Bridgestone crowd was incredibly loud again and had several standing ovations to exhort their Preds heroes. They were the 7th Man again and certainly helped the Predators to pull out the victory.
The ending couldn’t have been much better with the goal by the speedy rookie, Viktor Arvidsson. He is a fan favorite because of his hard working, pesky style and had been held without a goal during the playoffs. He wears his heart on his sleeve and the Predators faithful love him. That grew by leaps and bounds last night.
Here is a video recap of last night’s game:
Some quick takeaways from Game 6:
Preds Outplayed the Sharks – The Nashville Predators found themselves looking down the barrel when they barely had as many shots as the Sharks had goals when it was 2-0. A little over three minutes later Roman Josi scored and it was off to the races. For the rest of the game, the Predators were the better team.
They won the Shot battle 29-16, Attempted Shots 70-42, Corsi For- 70-42, Faceoffs 27-19, and Hits 38-23. They had a rough start but once they got going, there was no stopping them.
Colin Wilson is On Fire – Playoffs Colin Wilson would be a superstar if he had played this way all season long. We’re not complaining because we sure have needed him in the playoffs and he has been incredible.
He set a Predators record with a point in his seventh straight game. His goal last night was his fifth of these playoffs. He had SIX all year! He has stepped it up and is playing at a different level. You can see it on the ice as he is flying and throwing his body around. It is a welcome change.
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Matt Nieto’s Injury Hurt Sharks
– In the early going last night, the Shark’s best line was
, Matt Nieto, and
. They scored the two early goals. Nieto crashed hard into the Predators net late in the period and didn’t play the final two periods.
That shook up the Shark’s lines, much like the Craig Smith injury did in Game 3 of the first series. It remains to be seen if Nieto will be available for Game 7. Tommy Wingels would probably be his replacement but doesn’t have Nieto’s speed.
Pekka Was Uneven – Pekka Rinne wasn’t quite as sharp as has been lately in the playoffs, giving up three goals in only 18 shots. The first was a tough chance, ricocheting off a high stick, but he seemed to be out of position and fighting the puck a bit more during the game. He seemed to lose balance and fall during the third Shark’s goal.
That being said, Pekka made some sterling stops too. He stoned Joonas Donskoi less than a minute into the overtime and actually started the play that sprung Viktor Arvidsson with an assist. He has the ability to steal a Game 7 and you would certainly rather have him in net over Martin Jones.
Travel Factor – Much has been made about the Predators playing so many games without rest and their additional travel in the playoffs. They will get a day off now, thanks to a Selena Gomez concert tomorrow night in San Jose.
Things may be turning the other way now. As we have mentioned in articles, the Sharks stars are much older than the Predators young stars. Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, and Joe Pavelski all had minus numbers in plus/minus last night. Thornton had one secondary assist but the others were scoreless. The young legs of the Preds may play to their advantage.
One More Look – Viktor Arvidsson wears his heart on his sleeve. He shows his emotion’s more than anyone. Here is one more look at his celebration after scoring last night:
Next: What Will it Take to Beat Sharks
We head to another intense Game 7. This is Stanley Cup Playoff Hockey and it sure is fun! Go Preds!