Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round One, Game 3

[Harbingers]

 

"NASHVILLE - The Carolina Hurricanes bring a 2-0 series lead on the road, as their First Round series against the Predators shifts to Nashville for the weekend.

Game 3

(1) Carolina Hurricanes at (4) Nashville Predators

Carolina leads series 2-0

Friday, May 21, 7 p.m.

Watch: Bally Sports South, Bally Sports app, USA

Listen: 99.9 FM The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes app

Tracking the Storylines

Staunch Defense: Nedeljkovic was a stud in net in Game 2, and the defense in front of him was stout, as well - and it's worth noting that the Canes were without Jaccob Slavin, too. In his absence, Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei saw elevated roles and minutes.

Pesce played a game high 28:01, and Skjei logged 27:44. Both players were on the ice for more than nine minutes of shorthanded play, and Skjei's 9:37 of shorthanded time on ice is the most of any NHL player in a regulation playoff game since the league began tracking the stat in 1997. Pesce posted five blocked shots and added another primary assist on Aho's empty-net tally. The Canes' blueliner now leads the team in scoring with three assists through the first two games.

"Right now, it's just about getting the win. Everybody wants to do well, but they're not always going to be pretty," Nedeljkovic said. "Tonight, there were a lot of sacrifices around the board. Guys were blocking shots, diving to make plays and getting pucks out. It wasn't our best, but it was a really good, gutsy effort."

Speaking of Slavin: The status of Slavin will be one to watch moving forward. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said earlier in the week that Slavin "might be a game-time decision for a while here yet." The Canes' stalwart defenseman participated in the morning skate on Wednesday but was unable to play in Game 2. The team didn't practice on Thursday, so his availability for Game 3 remains unknown, but it's likely to be another wait-and-see situation.

Be Special: After a sterling 7-for-7 performance in Game 2, the Canes penalty kill improved to 10-for-10 in the series. The Canes' power play got on the board in Game 2 when Aho opened the scoring in the first period. Special teams is so often the difference in a hockey game, and it was no different on Wednesday night.

"You can't say enough about those guys. All the penalty killers, the goaltending," Brind'Amour said. "Pesce and Skjei in particular obviously had to step up tonight and did in a huge way. Incredible performances by those guys.""

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/game-3-preview-carolina-hurricanes-nashville-predators/c-324869148

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/game-3-projected-lineup-carolina-hurricanes-nashville-predators/c-324889006

"Here is the projected lineup for the Hurricanes.

Forwards

Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen
Niederreiter-Trocheck-Necas
Foegele-Staal-Fast
Martinook-Lorentz-McGinn

Defensemen

Skjei-Hamilton
Bean-Pesce
Lajoie-Hakanpaa

Goalies

Nedeljkovic
Mrazek

Injuries: Paquette (lower body), Slavin (lower body)

Scratches: Bibeau, Gardiner, Geekie, Keane, McCormick, McKeown, Reimer, Ryan, Shore, Suzuki"

No morning skate for Slavin. Have to assume hes doubtful tonight. Score early, hit hard and control the crowd.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Predator heat map on the PP lol.

[Katweiser]

  Going to be a wild game tonight. ...Not sure what to expect outside of that.  First time on the road with a semi-packed stadium in awhile...a playoff atmosphere to boot. The Preds absolutely NEED this one...they know it, their fans know it. .....We get this, we are Gold for this series...just match the mayhem baby! Go Canes!!

 

[Harbingers]

Aho's jersey still has the A. Thinking no Slavo tonight.

 

[Rocky Davis]

I hate to see Slavin out, but I suppose up 2-0 give him some more time to ice up and hopefully be ready for our deep run to the Cup.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

9 minutes ago, Rocky Davis said:

I hate to see Slavin out, but I suppose up 2-0 give him some more time to ice up and hopefully be ready for our deep run to the Cup.

Rest up, We did shut them out without him and he will be needed when we play a team with more firepower.

[Harbingers]

There's the official word.

[Harbingers]

 

[Harbingers]

Liked Lajoie’s first shift. 
 

Had a feeling they were gonna score there. 

[Harbingers]

We need more energy. 

[RedStorm]

Need to get a goal to even it up...Preds are buzzing.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Not super worried I expected Nashville to come out with desperation, stay out of the box and We still have this.

[Harbingers]

Just now, TrevorLaurenceTime22 said:

Not super worried I expected Nashville to come out with desperation, stay out of the box and We still have this.

I’m more concerned by the fact we can’t get out of our zone and haven’t been able to lay too many goods hits on them yet. Ned is gonna have his hands full tonight. I don’t blame him for that goal, Dougie was out of position and blocked his view entirely. 

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

1 minute ago, Harbingers said:

I’m more concerned by the fact we can’t get out of our zone and haven’t been able to lay too many goods hits on them yet. Ned is gonna have his hands full tonight. I don’t blame him for that goal, Dougie was out of position and blocked his view entirely. 

It's early they are desperate, Ride the wave they don't have the depth we do.