Tied at 1 apiece, the series shifts back to Nashville tonight for game three. The Canucks are dealing with some confidence and injury issues, while at this point Nashville seem to be settling in quite nicely to their underdog roles. Vancouver was 23-14-4 on the road this season (seventh best in the league), which is going to be needed going into a noisy Bridgestone Arena: after a series is tied a 1, the side who wins game 3 goes on to win the series two-thirds of the time.
Tocchet seems up to the challenge, and hopefully the boys are too:
“I love getting booed,” he said. “Nashville has great fans, and they don’t throw stuff at you. But I do like the fact that sometimes it’s nice to be the villain. I think it brings out the best in some guys. So use it to your advantage.”
“There’s a lot of people … that are going to be watching our game,” he added “This is what you play for. These types of moments.”
Keys to the game today:
1. Get shots through: it’s becoming a thing. The Canucks take a lot of shots, very few hit the net. Nashville is priding itself on blocking shots, and the Canucks have to actually test Saros more to shut that crowd down.
“It’s the playoffs, hey, every shot is a dangerous shot in the playoffs,” explained Predators forward Michael McCarron. “The more we can eat shots, the better for us and the better it is for (Saros). I don’t think we blocked enough in Game 1, you saw it, when (Quinn) Hughes got the tying goal from a shot from up top.”
2. Get Petey back to Petey: it’s also becoming a thing. Petey isn’t playing like himself… he knows it, the coaches know it, the players know it. Ian MacIntyre has a good article on it here: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canucks-elias-pettersson-can-only-look-forward-after-tough-playoff-start/
Some interesting quotes from it:
“I've been wanting to do too much instead of just staying (with) and playing my game,” Pettersson told Sportsnet in a candid one-on-one interview after Thursday’s practice in Nashville. “Of course, play hard and use the adrenaline, but I've definitely been trying to do too much instead of playing my game and letting the game come to you.
“I thought I was going to score my first or second shift the first game, and it was like, 'Oh my god, I almost scored.’ (Nashville goalie Juuse) Saros made a good save with his toe. I just want it so bad. I'm probably being too honest. But, I mean, I'm not going to shy away from anything. I haven't been that good these first two games, but. . . I can only look forward.”
…
“Obviously, he didn't have a good game,” coach Rick Tocchet said Thursday. “I think this is adversity. Like I said the other day: 'Get up, get your chest up and face it,' which he did. I love the fact that he faced the media after the game; I thought it was really smart that he did that and he didn't hide. Even today, he had a really good practice. He was smiling. That's what I need from Petey. He should try to embrace all this and have fun with it.
“He knows he has to play better. And the one thing with him, especially after last game. . . his ears are open. He's listening to us now. I'm not saying he wasn't (listening) before. But, you know, he has our attention.”
Petey also mentioned this is his first real playoff. Miller said when he’s on his game, he’s a top player in the league and everyone knows that. Read for fuller quotes.
3. Get the lead: The Canucks have been playing from behind much of this series, allowing the Preds to sit back and defend to hell. Playing with the lead will also quiet the crowd, which is going to be rocking those first few minutes.
“In the first five minutes, it’s going to be crazy, and you have to use that to your advantage,” suggested Tocchet. “Play a simple game and get a good hit in. If nothing happens on your shift, that’s okay. You don’t have to press the issue.
“And stay disciplined. Sometimes, when the crowd is loud, you get over-juiced and take penalties. For guys who haven’t experienced this, you’re happy they got a taste and it will settle some down. Now, can you raise your level?”
Puck drop tonight is at 4:30 PST.
(Quotes from Kuzma, MacIntyre, Drance)
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