Anaheim managed to even up the series in Game 2. Tonight the Western Conference Final heads to Smashville for the first time ever.
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Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The Anaheim Ducks recovered from a rough start in Game 2 to even up the series.
Nashville got on the board first, as Viktor Arvidsson sprung Ryan Johansen for a breakaway less than five minutes into the game. Johansen breezed into the zone and snapped a quick shot over the glove of John Gibson.
Things got even worse four minutes later when the Predators drew John Gibson way out of position. With Nashville’s man advantage expiring, Arvidsson planted himself as close to Gibson in the blue paint as possible without causing goaltender interference. The puck found its way to James Neal on the doorstep, and Gibson had no idea. Neal tucked it in to make it 2-0 before Gibson ever saw the puck. The only thing Gibson ever managed to see the entire play was Arvidsson’s butt.
https://twitter.com/NHLDaily365/status/863941845268803584
That kind of screen is what coaches will show young players for years to come when they want to illustrate the importance of taking the goalie’s eyes away.
The Ducks desperately needed a response. They got one with a minute remaining in the opening frame. Ryan Getzlaf found Sami Vatenen streaking into the zone down the right wing on the man advantage. Vatanen wound up a slapshot that picked a perfect spot far side.
Shots were 10-5 Nashville in the first.
Anaheim tied things up quickly in the second period. Cam Fowler sent the puck to the far side corner where Rickard Rakell was the first to get to it. Rakell in turn saucered it to the low slot in front of the net, and Jakob Silfverberg happened to get a stick on it and put it home. Beautifully executed backdoor play.
Later in the second period, Viktor Arvidsson motored into the zone being pursued by Shea Theodore. With no clear path to the middle of the ice, Arvidsson faked a slapshot and cut around the net. Gibson took the bait. Arvidsson was stuffed by the post but Filip Forsberg was able to follow through and finish off the play. Somewhere in the rafters of the Honda Center, John Gibson’s jock is missing.
Just a few minutes later, the Ducks were back on the attack. A shot from the point was saved by Pekka Rinne, but rookie Ondrej Kase, playing in just his fifth NHL postseason game, had planted himself in front to clean up the trash. Kase’s rebound tricked over the goal line through Rinne and the Ducks had tied it up once again.
Kase trickles his first goal of the playoffs under Rinne's pad #NSHvsANA pic.twitter.com/LXBWkJ83zy
— Modernity has failed us (@nirmalla_hb) May 15, 2017
Nick Ritchie would pot one more for the Ducks before the end of the second, banking a wrist shot from the left wing mid-boards off the mask of Rinne and in. It was an awful goal to allow for Rinne. Never turn your head to the shot, kids. Henrik Lundqvist that thing and spike it to the ground. Or arch your shoulders to keep it in front. Rinne is 6’5″, he should be able to keep his body in front of it.
Antoine Vermette would grab an empty netter to seal the 5-3 victory.
First things first, I love the brass-band version of Bro Hymn that the Honda Center uses now. I don’t know how I’m only just noticing it, but the Ducks have a live ska-like collection of horns to play their goal song (“Bro Hymn” by Pennywise) for the playoffs. I dig it.
Pekka Rinne finished with just 22 saves on 26 shots. He has been peppered with shots this series and he’s finally having to put up with players getting in his grill. The result is the lowest save percentage in any game he’s had this playoff season.
With that said, neither goaltender has performed particularly well. Gibson has played fine and made some big saves, but he’s also looked positively foolish at times. Rinne finally turned in a poor performance, but with the postseason he’s having it’s hardly time to sound the alarm.
Plus, I expect Rinne to have a better night with the Bridgestone Arena behind him tonight. Nashville has become one of the coolest buildings to watch in this entire postseason. And as mentioned before and countless other times, this will be the first time that Tennessee will get to bear witness to the Western Conference Final being played in their building. That’s really cool.
It’s safe to say they were pumped when they beat the Blues.
This Nashville crowd continues to be incredible as Jarnkrok clinches it. pic.twitter.com/DOyvjyiKrK
— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) May 7, 2017
Apparently there is such a high number of fans expected outside the arena for their “Plaza Party” that the city’s fire marshall has had to relocate it to across the street so they can have more room. It’s just really cool that this market is finally coming into its own.
And they will have a chippy game ahead. After Game 2, Ryan Johansen had some choice words for Ryan Kesler, who has had an up-and-down series physically. Kesler has put everything on the line in all three zone. He has been getting to the net and battling along the boards in one end and laying down his body on the other. He’s been an active player, and Johansen took exception to that.
“His family and friends watch him play,” Johansen said. “I don’t know how you cheer for a guy like that.”
Dang.
Safe to say Ryan Johansen and Ryan Kesler don't like each other pic.twitter.com/itFp2ZQFb1
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 15, 2017
Kesler responded by saying, “I play the game hard. Obviously he doesn’t like that.”
This is not the first time that Kesler has been singled out for his brand of play. At the NHL rules summit in 2012, Kesler was specifically called out by the league for being an embellisher. He’s gotten into trouble a few times before for that.
Kesler will certainly be a player to watch tonight. He may not be putting the puck in the back of the net himself, but he’s got seven assists and is an active member of the Ducks’ penalty killing and powerplay units.
Johansen has now posted three consecutive games with two points. He has three goals and 10 assists this postseason.
The Ducks have won five of their last six road games. If anything, with the exception of Game 6 against the Oilers, they have been a better team away from home. Anaheim has had to venture into some hostile territory this year- first Calgary, then Edmonton when the Oilers were already up 2-0 on the Ducks, now Nashville. And for what it’s worth, Anaheim is 2-0 in Game 3 this year, both on the road.
Might not be a bad idea to take a chance on them tonight.
Prediction: Take the Ducks to win tonight. Play the over.
