Archive for April 27, 2012
Keys to success for Predators in second round of playoffs
1 year ago
by Amanda DiPaolo
in Analysis
By Seth Lake
A full week after becoming the first team to advance to the Conference Semifinals round of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 4th seeded Nashville Predators will open up their second round series on the road Friday nigh
t facing the 3rd seeded Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Will Hal Gill return to the Nashville lineup Friday night?
Playing an opponent coming off their first playoff series win since moving to Phoenix in 1996, the Coyotes, like Nashville, are built from the net out with strong goaltending, a smothering team defense, and a solid work ethic. The Predators should see a team in the position they were last season entering the second round against the Vancouver Canucks. While on paper, the edge likely goes to Nashville, the game is played on the ice within the confines of a 200’ x 85’ rink where things are never as clear.
Solving Mike Smith– While the league is familiar with two-time Vezina trophy nominee Pekka Rinne manning the nets for Nashville, many are just beginning to recognize Mike Smith in Phoenix. Boasting an unbelievably quick glove hand like Rinne and a large frame in the net, Smith has come into his own this season after joining the team from Tampa Bay last summer. (more…)
After week-long break, Predators ready to get second round of playoffs started
1 year ago
The Nashville Predators open up the Western Conference Semifinals tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes on the road in Glendale, Arizona.
The Coyotes are the third seed in the Western Conference after winning the Pacific Division. Nashville is the fourth seed, but ended the regular season with 104 points to the Coyotes’ 97 points.
The Predators haven’t played since last Friday, having eliminated the Detroit Red Wings in five games to be the first team to advance to the second round.
“We have to make sure our game is ready. We had a little break, and we can’t afford to be rusty. We know they are a good team. We saw what they did against a good team, Chicago,” Predators Captain Shea Weber said. “It has been pretty quick. We practiced hard this week. We had a day off in between to get some rest. The guys are feeling fresh and ready to go.” (more…)
