Preds Legwand and Ward, stepping up when it counts most

The Nashville Predators have been looking for a playoff hero during the Western Conference semi-finals. Goaltender Pekka Rinne has been incredible, keeping the Predators in close one-goal games. But scoring goals against Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo has not been easy.

Mike Fisher, Shea Weber, Jerred Smithson and Jordin Tootoo–heroes in the series against Anaheim–have been all but kept off the scoresheet. Fisher recorded his first point in the series on Saturday night when he set up Joel Ward’s snap shot early in the third period to give the Predators a 3-2 lead.

Predators forwards, and linemates,  Ward and David Legwand rose to the challenge Saturday night in Vancouver, each scoring two goals for Nashville.

“Our backs are still against the wall. We have to come home and play hard and get another win at home. You have to fight your way out. We were in a crunch for the last 20-30 games. Hopefully we will be ready to go,” Legwand said about the Game 5 victory and being prepared for Game 6 on Monday.

O’Brien stays disciplined against former team

The Western Conference Semi-Finals series between the Nashville Predators and the Vancouver Canucks is back in British Columbia for Game 5 on Saturday night, with Nashville on the brink of elimination.

 

 

Before game 4, Predators defenseman Shane O’Brien talked about how important it was for the team to even the series.

“We let one slip away there in game three. They took home ice advantage right back from us. If you look at the playoffs, home ice advantage hasn’t been as important as years before,” O’Brien, the former Canuck, said about the overtime loss in game three when the Canucks were awarded two questionable power plays that both resulted in goals for Vancouver, including a power play marker to end the game in overtime.

“It’s no secret, we don’t want to get down 3-1 in this series against a good time like that over there. You don’t want to fall down 3-1 going back to Vancouver for game 5.”

‘Every game’s a tryout’ for Preds OT hero Matt Halischuk

It took 94:51 and double overtime to do it, but the Nashville Predators evened their Western Conference Semi Finals series against the Vancouver Canucks at 1-1. Matt Halischuk scored with 5:09 left in the second overtime.

Halischuk doesn’t take credit for the goal and highlights the play of his linemates. “It was a great play by Spals [Nick Spaling] to get me the puck. Smitty [Jerred Smithson] did a great job of winning the draw and driving to the net. I was able to get a quick shot off and I was lucky it went in,” he said.

“It’s definitely a big boost to split with Vancouver,” Halischuk added.

The Predators acquired Halischuk from New Jersey when Nashville traded Jason Arnott during the off season last summer. Nashville also received the Devils second round pick for the 2011 Entry Draft.

Halischuk spent most of the season in Milwaukee and was first called up for Nashville’s January 16^th game against Chicago. Halischuk was sent to Milwaukee after the February 9^th game against Colorado and was called back up in time for the February 26^th contest against the Dallas Stars. During his 27 regular season games, Halischuk picked up 4 goals and 8 assists.

Tootoo’s playoff success atteacting national attention

Jordin Tootoo’s goal and 4 assists in six games during Nashville’s Western Conference Quarter Finals series against the Anaheim Ducks is considered by many to be a key turning point of the series in the Predators favor.

Tootoo assisted on Jerred Smithson’s overtime winning goal in Game 5, as well as both of Nick Spalings goals in the series clinching Game 6 last Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.

As a result of his slick play-making abilities, Tootoo has been attracting national attention.

Wednesday, Tootoo was named the National Hockey League Players Association’s (NHLPA) player of the week for his role during the quarter finals.

In previewing the upcoming Western Conference semi-final between the Predators and Canucks, Radio Team 1040’s Jeff Paterson points out that in the last month, from March 24th, Tootoo (5 goals, 7 assists) has more points than last year’s Hart Trophy winner, and Canucks captain, Henrik Sedin (1 goal, 11 assists).

Can the Predators beat either Vancouver or Detroit?

With the San Jose Sharks eliminating the Los Angeles Kings Monday night, the Predators await the result of one game that will determine their opponent for the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

Chicago forced Vancouver to play a game 7 Tuesday night after Ben Smith, playing in just his 12th NHL game, scored in overtime Sunday night, extending the series to the final game after having been down in the series 3-0 to the Canucks.

If Vancouver wins, the Predators face the Canucks. If Chicago becomes the second team in as many years to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series, the Predators will play the Central Division champion Detroit Red Wings.

Looking at the rosters alone, like the Anaheim series, it will be high-flying offense against the Predators stellar back end lead by Captain, All-Star and now Norris Trophy nominated Shea Weber, U.S. Olympian Ryan Suter and Vezina nominated goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Predators make history with first ever playoff series win, down Anaheim 4-2

A year ago to the day, the Nashville Predators had the lead in a pivotal game 5 Western Conference Quarter Final against Chicago with under a minute to play.  Nashville went on the power play, but then surrendered a shorthanded goal, tying the game. As all Predators fans remember so well, Nashville went on to lose the game and the series in game six at home.

Legwand’s empty-net goal was insurance for Nashville, who defeated the Ducks 4-2

 

Sunday night, history was made, but not repeated when the Predators went into the final minute of game 6 against the Ducks with a one-goal lead, and on the power play.

Instead of giving up a goal, David Legwand scored in the empty net.

The first ever player to be drafted by the Nashville Predators added the insurance giving the Predators the two-goal lead with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.

“It’s a huge thing for us to move on and get to continue playing. It means a bit. We get to play in round two. There are only going to be 8 teams playing, so that’s exciting for us to get a chance to do,” Legwand said when asked what it meant for him personally to be moving on to the next round.

Significance of Ryan Suspension

By now, everyone knows what happened. With under 4 minutes left in regulation, Nashville down by a goal after mounting what was shaping up to be an epic third period comeback, Bobby Ryan stomped on Jon Blum’s foot behind the Predators net. No call was made on the play and Ryan would score the empty net goal to seal the deal for the Ducks.

Saturday afternoon, Ryan was suspended for two games.

The suspension is significant for a multitude of reasons.

Anaheim loses a key component of its power-line for two games on the road. The loss would be more manageable at home with the Ducks controlling matchups, but they won’t have that ability for Games 3 and 4.

Predators go into Anaheim set on shutting down Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan

The Nashville Predators visit the Anaheim Ducks tonight in game one of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. The Predators just narrowly missed out on home ice advantage when they lost last Saturday, 2-0, against the Blues to end out the regular season.

Anaheim’s top line consists of Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Getzlaf. Combined the three have 103 goals and 142 assists.

Predators defenseman Cody Franson says the key to playing against Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan is to play a physical game.  “They are probably the best line in the League. When you are playing against guys of that calibre, that size and that skill set, you want to play physical against them and take away their time and space. You know, make it tough on them,” he said.

Sizing up the series: Preds vs. Ducks

The Predators drawing the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Quarter-finals pits a defensive club against one with an explosive offense. When looking at goaltending, defense, as well as offense there is no question where the Predators come out on top and where the Ducks have an advantage. Pekka Rinne has played 10 games against the Ducks and boasts a 6-2-2 record. Rinne’s goals against average is 2.15 and has a .930 save percentage against Anaheim.

The Ducks will start the series with Dan Ellis in goal. Ray Emery is out with a lower body injury. Jonas Hiller has played backup as of late, but has yet to start a game since playing, and getting chase from the net,  against Nashville  allowing three quick goals in the middle of March.

Ellis, the former Nashville Predator, has only played two times against his former club, once as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightening and the other in relief of Hiller at Bridgestone Arena on March 24th. During those two games, Ellis has a goals against average of 3.43 and a .867 save percentage.

Predators expectations never higher: Playoffs start Wednesday for Nashville

The Nashville Predators will open their Western Conference Quarter-finals against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, April 13th at Honda Center.

To beat the Ducks, the Preds need to stop Perry

In a battle of offense versus defense, the Predators big guns will look to stop some of the NHL’s most talented forwards in order to move on to the second round of the playoffs. Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and goaltender Pekka Rinne will have to contend with Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan, as well as Mikku Koivu and Teemu Selanne.

Predators Head Coach, Barry Trotz, says that one thought comes to mind when you think of the Ducks. “When you think about Anaheim, you think about the big line, that’s where it starts and ends,” Trotz said, adding, “Out of the players who have come through in the last couple of months, [Perry] has been as good as anybody. He’d be my MVP vote for the West.”