Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks: Three Factors that Secured GM2 Win

Blocked Shots, Not Backing Down in the Defensive Zone

This game required the Predators to truly lay their bodies on the line. The team posted 30 blocked shots to hold the Canucks to only 18 shots on Juuse Saros. It's absolutely what you have to circle first when finding why the Predators were able to even this series in Vancouver.

In the third period in particular, it just felt like the flood gates were about to open and the Canucks were going to strike for a couple goals to push it to overtime. The Predators were getting suffocated into their own zone, and it was just target practice for the Canucks.

The problem for the Canucks, and the beauty for the Predators, is those shots couldn't get through very often. The Canucks piled on over 70 shots attempts but a combination of blocks and just missing the net altogether really allowed the Predators to preserve the lead.

Alexandre Carrier finishes with six blocked shots to lead the Predators. Carrier has done this all season, and he was seen as a likely trade candidate at the deadline. But the Predators kept him around and are rolling the dice on what happens with him in free agency this offseason, but for now at least they have to be thrilled they have him for this playoff run.

Colton Sissons and Ryan McDonagh added another four blocks each.

It wasn't just the blocked shots that stood out. The Predators stayed disclipline in the defensive zone despite not being able to break out and get on the rush. It's definitely something that isn't sustainable for the entire series, but for one game they were able to stay connected in the defensive zone to affect passes and make it hard to get shots through to Saros.