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Nashville Predators: Three up, three down from opening round victory

By Corey Francis

DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, right, #76 and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 hug it out at the end game 6 of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the Predators won 5-0 at the Pepsi Center April 22, 2018. The Predators won the series 4-2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, right, #76 and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 hug it out at the end game 6 of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the Predators won 5-0 at the Pepsi Center April 22, 2018. The Predators won the series 4-2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – APRIL 16: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 pushes Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis #4 over his goalie Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros #74 in the third period during the third game of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center April 16, 2018. Avalanche won 5-3. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 16: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 pushes Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis #4 over his goalie Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros #74 in the third period during the third game of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center April 16, 2018. Avalanche won 5-3. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Ellis falters

The Predators are lauded for their top-4 defensive pairings. Not only do they commonly play great all-around defense, they often get into the offensive mix and score. Neither was the case during the series against Colorado. And, the worst may have been Ryan Ellis.

On the regular season, Ellis played 44 games but gained 32 points. He also kept opponents at bay, giving up only 11 high-danger goals all season. During the playoffs so far, Ellis has given up 6 high-danger goals on 20 chances. Even Avalanche goal scored during Ellis’s time on ice was in high-danger situations. No other defenseman allowed more shots or goals during 5v5 play in the series.

The defense as a whole struggled offensively. Outside of one player (whom we will discuss shortly), the top-4 defensemen gained 8 total points. All on assists, half of which were secondary assists. Ellis finished the series with 3 secondary assists and no goals on 14 shots. It certainly was not a great showing from the star defensemen.

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