Update (2:41 PM): The official blog contradicts Khan and says that Legwand will be a game-time decision after he goes through warmups. - Matt
Update (2:35 PM): Ansar Khan reports that Jason Arnott will sit out today with a concussion. David Legwand, on the other hand, will play. - Matt
Update (11:07 PM): Behind the Jersey liveblog is here and PredJoe has pregame thoughts here. - Matt
This afternoon is the sixth game of the Western Conference Quartefinal series between the Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville Predators. The Wings lead the series 3-2, having won each of their home games (3-1, 4-2, 2-1 OT). The Predators won Games 3 and 4 (5-3, 3-2).
Facing elimination today, the Predators must win and force a Game 7. Some keys to the game for the Preds:
Forecheck hard. In order to disrupt the Wings’ puck possession game, they’ll need to hit it where it starts: the breakout. If the Preds can throw Detroit’s defensemen off with an aggressive forecheck, they’ll breakup the outlet process. Of course, if they get caught deep, it will backfire on them.
Ride roughshod. The Wings are no longer a stereotypically soft team. They do, however, get a little rattled when met with overly physical and just plain nasty hockey. If they are goaded into trying to return the favor, they’ll get off their game even more.
Stay out of the box. How this will work with the second key, I don’t know, but they need to stay out of the box.
Dan Ellis. He has to keep his rebounds down and his focus up. Another performance like Friday night’s and he’ll put his team in a position to pull out a win.
It looks like the Predators may still be without Jason Arnott (“flu”) and David Legwand (bruised foot).
For the Wings, this is a must-win game as well. Going to Game 7 is definitely not something anyone on that side of the ice wants to see happen. Some keys to the game for Detroit:
Score early. And not just once. Take the crowd out of it and the wind out of the Predators sails.
Go to the net. That’s how they’ll accomplish key one. Too many long and unscreened shots will result in too many easy saves for Dan Ellis. They have to buzz the net whenever they can.
Puck movement. With the Predators on the hunt physically, fast and accurate puck movement will be essential.
Keep the foot on the gas. No letting up at any point throughout the game. They need to be as close to perfect as possible.
No lineup changes for Detroit are expected.
The Wings are in a position here to move on to the second round. They even have a possible opponent lined up. They can’t think about that, however. The Predators are still between them and the Semifinals and the Predators have shown that they aren’t about to go away. A Red Wing loss today and this is anybody’s series Tuesday night.