The situation looked pretty grim. The Nashville Predators, down in the series 3-1, down in the game 2-1 and being completely outplayed, needed a break… a nod from the hockey gods as they watched their season slowly spin down the drain with each passing second. Less that a minute into the second period, they got that break. A fluke goal credited to David Legwand that looked like a Larry Bird/Michael Jordan McDonald’s commercial… off-the-end-board, over-the-net, off-the-defenseman, nothing-but-net… tied the game and showed the Predators that maybe, just maybe, they weren’t done yet.
David Legwand may have lit the fire, but Joel Ward poured gasoline on it, scoring two goals in the third period to give the Predators their magic playoff number of four and then the team held on to get the win and bring the series back to Smashville for Monday’s game six. For a team that I thought was almost out of gas, the Predators showed their hallmark resiliency last night, bouncing back off the canvas after what could’ve been a knockout blow in game four, playing inspired hockey in the second and third periods.
So now the series turns back to the Music City. Ticketmaster was going nuts in the few hours after the game last night and another sellout is expected in Smashville. The plaza party (hosted by yours truly) gets started at 4pm, doors will be opening early and a crazed Bridgestone Arena awaits.
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Random Notes
- The Predators are scheduled to land at around 4pm this afternoon at the Signature Terminal at 801 Hanger Lane, a large crowd is expected to greet the boys!
- The first line in today’s Vancouver Sun story about the game… “Here we go again.”
- As I wrote about yesterday… another first for Nashville, the first win to stave off elimination. They have another shot at it tomorrow. I’d kinda like to see our first game seven as well.
- The Sedin twins had a rough night, going a combined -7 between them.
- Mikael Samuelsson was injured in the game and will not make the trip to Nashville.
- No credit from the Vancouver media for Nashville’s resiliency… one columnist came straight out and said that “This night is not about what Nashville did right, but what Vancouver did wrong.” Hmmmmm…
- San Jose is back home tonight for game five of their series with the Detroit Red Wings. The Sharks lead 3-1 and want to close this one out today. HP Pavilion will be nuts!
- Tonight’s playoff schedule – Detroit @ San Jose – Sharks lead 3-1, 7pm CDT (Versus, TSN)
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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!
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