Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks: Three Factors that Secured GM2 Win
It isn't always pretty in the postseason, and the Predators showed that in their Game 2 win to even the series with the Canucks on Tuesday.
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.
Forsberg Delivers in Clutch Time
The superstars have to make superstar plays in big moments. That's what Filip Forsberg did when he found a loose puck a little over six minutes into the 2nd period, and the Canucks just gave him free reign to get in close on DeSmith.
Forsberg was under the spotlight to step up his game after being held mostly quiet in the Game 1. He did have an assists in Game 1, but he was held to only three shots on goal and 0.09 Expected Goals.
On this goal, his 30th career playoff, Forsberg didn't hesitate. He didn't overthink it and he didn't pass the puck away hoping for someone else to score the clutch goal. He took it into his own hands and that's what superstars do in these moments.
Filip Forsberg shows off his hands and tallies a beauty in tight, doubling Nashville's lead to 2!#Preds pic.twitter.com/xe8ceAd7fl
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 24, 2024
With the series shifting back to Nashville for the next two games, Forsberg has to find another gear to help get this offense into more offensive zone time and more quality shots on DeSmith. I will be very surprised if Forsberg and his top linemates of Ryan O'Reilly and Gus Nyquist don't have a breakout performance in Game 3 or 4. Or better yet, in both.
Coming into these playoffs, Forsberg was on a bit of a scoring drought in playoff games. He had just one goal in the 2022 four-game sweep to the Avalanche, and in the six-game eliminated against the Hurricanes in 2021, Forsberg had just three points.
The Penalty Kill isn't a Weakness Anymore
The biggest series x-factor coming in, and the primary reason I had the Canucks in 7, is my doubt that Nashville's penalty kill would be able to survive against Vancouver 10th-ranked power play led by Elias Pettersson.
Well, so far my doubts have been squashed. The Canucks are 0-for-6 on the power play, and failed on four power play chances in Game 2. And yet the Canucks fans still wanted more power plays called in their favor. Oh well, it's a physical series so get over it. The last thing either fanbase should want is a whistle happy officiating crew.
Live look at #Canucks fans during 2nd intermission begging for 5 more power plays from the refs.... pic.twitter.com/SoAlpGlnQp
— Chad Minton (@chad_minton) April 24, 2024
Again, let's show love to Carrier for his work on the penalty kill. You can argue that he was the MVP of Game 2. His work with McDonagh, Sissons and the top penalty kill unit was massive for getting Game 2 across the finish line.
One thing you're seeing the Predators do well as a team on the penalty kill is giving Saros lanes to see the puck. They're protecting the house and forcing the Canucks to take shots way out by the blueline and hoping for puck deflections or goalie screens.
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Credit to Saros as well in Game 2. Even though he only faced 18 shots, he still finished with a 2.16 Goals Saved Above Expected. The Canucks by far had plenty of quality scoring possessions and just didn't take advantage. Some of that is self-imploding, but a lot of credit goes to the Predators defending their zone.
Now we have to wonder if Game 3 will be more of the same or if this series is about to take on a different look in Nashville. I don't see the Predators winning both Games 3 and 4 without increasing their offensive pressure.
I'm sticking to my original prediction of Canucks in 7, but that was made before the Demko injury news. That might be just enough to swing the pendulum their way and get out of the first round for the first time since 2018.