The Anaheim Ducks had a 0-2 deficit with Games 3 and 4 to be played in Nashville. They won three straight with a chance to close off the series Monday night at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators have to be thinking where they went wrong. They swept the first two games at Anaheim with a chance to end the series at home. Now they face elimination against the red-hot Ducks.
It’s going to be one wild game over at Nashville. Read on as we take a look at everything you need to know heading into this big matchup. For more on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, check out our complete previews for the Blackhawks vs. Blues.
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Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators Game 6 Preview
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
When: Monday, April 25, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Anaheim Ducks (-110) at Nashville Predators (-110); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: CNBC
Betting on the Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are coming for blood. They can complete their comeback and surge into the second round of the playoffs in Game 6 in Nashville. The Ducks lost the first two games of the playoffs 3-2 at home. But they won 7-1 combined in their first two games in Nashville, then 5-2 at Honda Center on Saturday.
Having Andersen keeping Anaheim in games should give the forward line less pressure to perform. Ryan Getzlaf should remain the Ducks’ go-to man. He has two goals and three assists in the series thus far. Four other Ducks have scored two goals in this series, while Jakob Silfverberg has been a strong playmaker with four assists.
You should also keep an eye on Corey Perry, who has been limited to just three assists this series. He led the team with 34 goals in the regular season. It’s only a matter of time before Perry explodes for goals galore.
The Ducks have won six of their last eight in Nashville.
Betting on the Nashville Predators
Ryan Johansen got his first goal of the series to open the scoring in the second period of Game 5. But the Ducks roared back to life for the blow out. The Nashville Predators now have a do-or-die elimination game at home Monday night.
Things cannot be any more difficult for Nashville. They won the first two games of the series, but have been outscored 12-3 in the next three outings. If they are to stay alive in this series, then they’ll need their pair of stellar defensemen to give them some life.
Shea Weber and Roman Josi have been two of the Preds’ best players. The each have three points, good for second on the team in the postseason. They lead the team in time on ice with Josi clocking in 27:26 and Weber 26:19. But they’ve been outscored whenever they’re on the ice; Weber is a minus-four, while Josi is a minus-three in this series.
Weber and Josi need to do a better job to help out goalie Pekka Rinne. They may need to sacrifice some of their offensive pop to lay back and help out on the defense. Having some help from Filip Forsberg and James Neal on the attack should also help make the defenseman duo’s job much easier.
Forsberg and Neal haven’t been too effective with just one goal each in the playoffs. They led the team in goals with Forsberg scoring 33 and Neal 31 in the regular season. Tighter defense would help keep the Preds in the game, but Forsberg’s and Neal’s scoring will be the ones to help them stay alive in this series.
The Preds had won six of their last eight at home before losing Games 3 and 4 in Bridgestone Arena.
Writer’s Prediction
The Preds (-110) force Game 7 in a tight 3-2 victory.
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