After letting the third period lead slip away in Game 1, the Nashville Predators did everything they could to ensure that didn't happen again in Game 2 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Leading up to the game there was enormous injury news with Thatcher Demko being ruled out of the game, and possibly for the rest of the series or even the playoffs entirely. You would've thought that if the Predators were going to tie the series, it would be thanks to taking advantage of backup goalie Casey DeSmith, but that actually wasn't the case.
The Predators managed just 16 shots on goal and went a very long stretch from Coltons Sissons' goal with 11:56 left in the 2nd period to when they got their next shot on goal nearly 10 minutes later on a shorthanded attempt by Michael McCarron.
No shots on goal were recorded after that by Nashville until Kiefer Sherwood's empty net goal with 1:53 left in regulation to give us the 4-1 final score. Head Coach Andrew Brunette said in the postgame presser that the guys "sacrificed their bodies" and that he "doesn't like defending", but it's going to happen in stretches in the playoffs and you have to play comfortable.
Thoughts from Bruno after Game Two victory. @PredsNHL l #Preds pic.twitter.com/6PNKqEAPk5
— Bally Sports: Preds (@PredsOnBally) April 24, 2024
This is the Predators' first playoff win since their 2021 first round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. It's their 55th playoff win in franchise history. Here are the three x-factors in the Game 2 win with the series heading back to Nashville for Game 3 on Friday.