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.”

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.

Can ship on shoulder help spark Preds to victory against Canucks?

This season, the Nashville Predators have played the Vancouver Canucks twice. The first game was right before the All-Star Weekend. The teams went into the third period with no score. Nashville took an early lead in the final frame only to lose it by the end of regulation 2-1.

Shane O’Brien talks about playing the Canucks and getting points down the stretch

On February 17th, the Canucks made their first visit to Music City. Despite being called for five minor penalties, in comparison to Vancouver’s two, Nashville came out on top 3-1.

O’Brien off to a good start for Predators

Just before the puck dropped on Nashville’s season, the Predators organization announced they had traded defenseman Ryan Parent and forward Jonas Andersson for defenseman Shane O’Brien. News of the trade was originally a surprise. Parent was a first round draft pick of Nashville’s, lost in the Peter Forsberg trade. The Predators regained the rights to Parent from the Philadelphia Flyers for the rights to negotiate with Dan Hamhuis. Nashville subsequently signed Parent to a two-year deal.

Shane O’Brien played a solid first game for the Nashville Predators Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks (Photo: Yardbarker.com)

O’Brien, set to make $1.6 million this year, resigned with the Canucks on July 12th as a restricted free agent. But on October 2, Vancouver put O’Brien on waivers. So you can’t blame the 27 year old for being a little happy about his new opportunity in Nashville as a result of being traded just three days after being placed on waivers.