Hockey in June
The Nashville Predators have been waiting for nearly twenty years, but there will be a Stanley Cup Final game in the Volunteer State. The city of Nashville will be hopping and electric as the series shifts to Nashville. Granted, the Preds wish they were in a better scenario. The Preds are down for the first time this postseason and have lost two straight contests for the first time during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nashville has the opportunity to get back in the series, but the defending champions will be looking to go up 3-0. Bridgestone Arena will be electric and the Predators need to feed off of that energy in order to get a win and get back to their winning ways.
Rinne or Saros
Lots of talk has been made over the goaltending for Nashville from the media and fans on social media outlets. Pekka Rinne has not very good so far this series. In Game One, Rinne had a .636 save percentage, giving up four goals on 11 shots. In Game Two, he had a .840 save percentage with four goals on 25 shots. He was better in Game Two, but the first three minutes of the third period were awful. Juuse Saros came in to relieve Rinne, not allowing a score in the final 16:32 of Game Two. So, what should Nashville do? It is unfathomable to think that Rinne will not start in net for Game Three, but Peter Laviolette might have a short leash on him. If he allows any other weak goals, look for Juuse Saros to be the goaltender for the remainder of the game, and most likely for the series. Personal emotions must be set aside for your love of a certain player. The Predators have a shot to win the Stanley Cup. The “ride-or-die” mentally has to go out he window. Yes, Pekka Rinne is one of the reasons Nashville has made it this far. Hopefully, he won’t be the reason that Nashville stops short of their goal from day one of training camp.
Stars Must Produce
The goalscorers for the Nashville Predators during this series has been Pontus Åberg, Colton Sissons, and Ryan Ellis. Now, Ellis has been a mainstay this season on the scoresheet, but Åberg and Sissons have not been the scoring-type for the Predators. Where’s Forsberg, Neal, Arvidsson, and the other forwards that have scored in high-levels all season. It is incomprehensible that these players have completely fallen off, and not been able to score against the Penguins. The Preds need these players to show up in Game Three or it could be the end of the line for this remarkable playoff run.
The Nashville Predators will bring the series to Music City in hopes of getting a victory in front of their hometown fans. The Predators are 7-1 in Bridgestone Arena and will need to get a victory. Be sure to catch all of the action on NBCSN or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game. Puck drops at 7:00 pm!
