Keys to Watch
Deja Vu
The Nashville Predators will try to replicate the success that they had in game six, as well as their game seven win against the Anaheim Ducks, tonight versus the San Jose Sharks. The Preds were able to go up 2-0 early on the Ducks, and sat on the lead. Now, the best scenario for Nashville will use that outline for game seven against the Sharks. Nashville cannot start from behind against the Sharks. An early goal in this game seven could be the best indicator for how everything will end up and predicting the winner.
Pekka Rinne
The Nashville Predators need Pekka Rinne to be the all-world netminder that we know he is capable of being. In game seven against the Ducks, Rinne was impressive stopping 36 of 37 shots and being the best version of himself. This post-season, Rinne has posted a 7-6 record with a save percentage of .913 and goals-against average of 2.41. If the Predators can get Rinne to play well tonight, the Nashville Predators could be headed to their very first Western Conference Final series in franchise history. But, a bad showing tonight could make the team and the fan base think about what could have been.
Stay Out of the Box
During this series, when the Predators have been at their best has been when they have not committed many penalties and have converted on their power-play chances. For example, in game six the Predators only had one penalty and they played a more disciplined style of hockey. The Sharks have a deadly power-play that has converted 28.2% of their chances with the man advantage during the playoffs. If the Predators can stay out of the penalty box, Nashville dramatically increases their chances of moving on to the next round.
The Predators will try to do something that no team has done this series and win a road game. The Predators will go in to a very raucous SAP Center and do something no Preds team has ever done before, and make it to the Western Conference Finals. Be sure to catch all of the action on NBCSN or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game. Game seven puck drops at 8:00 pm!
