Nashville Predators: In order to win in Winnipeg, these items are key

With the home series salvaged, the Predators now head to Winnipeg, where they will need to up their game in order to keep the Jets grounded.

So far, the Nashville-Winnipeg series has lived up to the hype. The two best teams in the Western Conference have delivered a show through two games, and I expect nothing less the rest of the way.

In Game 1, the Predators dominated the offensive stat sheet, except they forgot to add a few goals. They couldn’t break Connor Hellebuyck, as he stopped 47 of Nashville’s 48 shots. Winnipeg capitalized with speed in the neutral zone, and made Nashville pay. They tallied 3 goals on Pekka Rinne, and eventually chased him from the game. Juuse Saros came in relief for the 3rd period, and was perfect. However, Winnipeg added a late empty-net goal, to win the game 4-1.

In Game 2, Ryan Johansen started the night with a bang. He netted his 3rd goal of the playoffs, just 27 seconds after the puck dropped. The Jets answered though, with goals from Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele, just 29 seconds apart, later in the period.

P.K. Subban tied the game at 2 with a rocket from the point, early in the 2nd. Viktor Arvidsson then added a blast of his own to give the Predators a 3-2 lead, just before intermission.

Brandon Tanev and Johansen then traded goals, just 34 seconds apart in the 3rd, still giving Nashville a 4-3 lead.  As time wound down, Scheifele scored his second of the game, sending the game to OT.

However, it wasn’t until double-OT when Kevin Fiala delivered his 3rd goal of the playoffs, and 2nd career playoff OT winner.

Like I said, this series has been nothing short of fantastic so far.

Now, the series heads back to Winnipeg, where the Jets tallied the best home record in the NHL during the regular season. If Nashville wants to steal at least one game, here’s what they need to focus on.

Slow the Jets Down

Quite simply put, Winnipeg won game 1 because of their play in the neutral zone. They were getting hammered in their own zone for most of the night, as shown by the 48 shots they allowed. However, when they had a chance to escape they did so, and with speed.

They didn’t flip the puck up the ice, and go for the change. They picked up speed at the blue line, and attacked the Predators defense. With speed and some space, guys like Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Patrick Laine go to work, and usually eat up other teams.

Those three skaters combined for 221 points in the regular season…they know what they’re doing.

That being said, Nashville must control the neutral zone for the rest of the series. Winnipeg only had 19 shots in game 1, however, their neutral zone play was so strong, that they were able to capitalize off of great chances that they produced.

This one isn’t pretty, but it just goes to show that good things happen when you fly through the neutral zone with numbers…

Winnipeg is just too good for that kind of effort in the neutral zone.

If Nashville waits until they enter the zone to finally pick them up, it’s way too late.

Good neutral zone defense kills a rush. No rush means no real chances. I like the way that sounds

Killer Instinct

In game 2, Nashville had 3 separate leads before giving up a late goal that sent the game to OT.

That just cannot happen, especially in a playoff series.

If you get up a goal on a team, bury another one. Don’t pull off the gas, and play defensively. Winnipeg has eaten the Predators alive when Nashville has been on its heels.

The Predators just haven’t shown that willingness to really beat their opponent much this postseason.If you want to win the Stanley Cup, you have to be able to kick it into another gear, get fired up after a goal, and add another one or two.

If you give a team room to breathe, they’ll take it and fight for their life. If you use the momentum from one goal, to get another, there isn’t much wiggle room left for the other team.

No Numbers, Just a Will to Win

There is nothing statistical about this key to victory…it’s just a will to win.

I know that it’s in there somewhere, it’s just hiding away for now. Nashville showed it in Game 6 versus Colorado. They were tired of messing around with an inferior team, so they turned it to another level, and won 5-0 on the road.

I’m already fed up with Winnipeg. I am fed up with Byfuglien skating around like a juggernaut, throwing guys around the ice. I’m tired of holding my breath every time Laine touches the puck. And I’m put out with Hellebuyck looking like the Berlin Wall.

It’s time for the Predators to knock that wall down, and kick it into another gear against the Jets.

Next: Nashville Predators honor local hero during Game 2

They get their first chance in Winnipeg on Tuesday night…time to kick it into another gear.

GO PREDS GO!