The Anaheim Ducks have got some added fuel in the tank thanks to Ryan Johansen’s comments following their game two win. The Ducks took out the Preds in Anaheim 5-3, but that wasn’t where the battle ended. Nashville forward Ryan Johansen used his post-game comments to rip into Ducks center Ryan Kesler.
Kesler then followed up on Johansen’s chirps with a few of his own, saying that he’s not his friend. So clearly the NHL has turned into TMZ and emotions are running high!
On a more serious note, aside from some of the weakest trash talk of all time, the Ducks do have some momentum on their side along with experience. The Ducks roster is packed with veteran playoff performers from Kesler to Getzlaf to Perry to Bieksa to Eaves to Fowler and the list goes on. These guys are used to facing a raucous crowd and that’s exactly what they’ll find tonight in Nashville.
The Ducks need to keep getting shots at Pekka Rinne and keep a body or two in front at all times. Arguably, that’s how they got the upper hand on Edmonton and that’s how they’ll do it again tonight in the Music City.
This is exciting stuff. The Preds have never played a conference final game in front of their home crowd, so you can expect their hometown faithful to play a huge role in this one. The Preds have been playing well on their familiar ice as well, they’ve gone 5-0 at Bridgestone and they’re trending in the right direction for this one.
Pekka Rinne has a rare off game on Sunday, but his performances this postseason have been nothing short of sensational. He’s tied for the most postseason shutouts thus far with Marc Andre-Fleury with two and is arguably the best goalie remaining.
Should the Preds pull this game off and take a 2-1 series lead, they’ll be sitting pretty have three of their next four on home ice. The odds are in their favor mentally and on the betting board, as they’ve got a -1.5 goal spread and are paying +200.
