Update (6:05 PM): PredJoe will be blogging from the Sommet Center tonight. - Matt
Update (5:23 PM): CBC’s 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs blog has a pre-game post up. – Matt
Update (5:21 PM): Joe Hass is liveblogging the game over at Behind the Jersey again. - Mat
Update (4:54 PM): PredJoe chimes in with some thoughts on the series and the game here. The Forechecker has some thoughts on Game 3 here. - Matt
Update (4:27 PM): Jordin Tootoo says there are Red Wings that don’t like to be hit. That’s for the revelation, Jordin. By the way, what’s your favorite part of the game? Is it getting hit? Didn’t think so. - Matt
Update (4:20 PM): It doesn’t look like Kirk Maltby (hamstring) will be back for this series. - Matt
Update (12:51 PM): Great stuff from the Windsor Star’s Bob Duff on the Predators’ whining about the officiating:
From the moment they arrived as a National Hockey League expansion franchise in 1998-99, the Nashville Predators were determined to be different. … We wanted to create a culture of no excuses,” said Barry Trotz, the only coach the franchise has ever known. So why is it then, as they take the ice at home Monday down 2-0 in their opening-round playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, that the Predators are doing nothing but offering up excuses?
- Matt
Update (11:47 AM): More from MacLeod: Trotz isn’t ruling out Legwand tonight. He’ll be a gametime decision, after he participates in the pre-game skate. - Matt
Update (11:19 AM): Bruce MacLeod reports that David Legwand (bruised foot) is nowhere to be seen at the Nashville morning skate. That should mean he’s still out tonight. - Matt
Update (10:51 AM): IwoCPO has an excellent game day post up. - Matt
Update (9:23 AM): Christy Hammond last night:
The Rangers and Canadiens had a chance to go up 3-0 in their series, but they both lost in overtime. Let’s hope Detroit breaks from that pattern tomorrow and earns a win in what should be a hard fought game in Nashville.
Yes. - Matt
Tonight is the third game of the Western Conference Quarterfinal series between the Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville Predators. Detroit leads the series 2-0 after wins in Game 1 (3-1) and Game (4-2).
This is simply a must-win game for Nashville. They are in a deep enough hole as it is, but a loss tonight would basically mean the series. Some keys to the game for the Predators:
Score first. They need to capitalize on their early push and get one past Dominik Hasek while the crowd is still in it.
Stay out of the box. Sure, the Wings are only 1-for-10 on the powerplay in this series, but how long is that going to last? There’s also the simple fact that penalties at the wrong times, such as we saw Saturday, can throw the Predators game off track.
Be physical. This hasn’t been an overly physical series, but to the extent that it has, I might venture to say that the Wings have won that aspect of the game. Trotz needs to unleash Jordin Tootoo and Co.
Arnott and Dumont. Those two have been pathetic so far in this series. That has to change tonight, especially now that they won’t have the excuse of having to play against the Eurotwins, Norris, and McTurnover.
Dan Ellis: no rebounds. Ellis was a rebound machine Saturday afternoon. He needs to settle down, feed off the home crowd, and control the puck. No more kicking it to the slot.
Nashville could see the return of David Legwand (bruised foot) tonight. That would be a boost offensively.
For the Wings, this isn’t quite a must-win game, but it’s close. The quicker this series is over with, the better, and a win tonight brings that end one game closer. A win tonight also limits the chances of a potential collapse to nearly zero.
Some keys to the game for Detroit:
Score first and early. Take the crowd out of it and cut the Predators’ early push off.
Power play. If the Predators get into penalty trouble, the Wings have to make them pay.
Return physicality. Nashville is bound to be riding roughshod tonight. Darren McCarty, Dallas Drake, Tomas Holmstrom, Dan Cleary, Niklas Kronwall, and Andreas Lilja have to be especially physical. Others, like Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Valtteri Filppula, and Jiri Hudler, need to keep their heads up and avoid getting killed.
Dominik Hasek. Dom needs to be in this game mentally. Think Game 2, first period. None of that Game 2, second period stuff.
It’s highly doubtful that we’ll see a lineup change for the Wings tonight. Babcock’s going to stick with what’s working. The Eurotwins will start out together, he says, but if he’s not getting a favorable matchup, they’ll be separated (and given more protection). Expect to see the fourth line more.
It should be an exciting game tonight. And by exciting, I mean nauseating.