Morphinity 2.0 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 (1P) Vancouver Canucks vs. (1WC) Nashville Predators REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: Canucks: 50-23-9, 109 points Predators: 47-30-5, 99 points SEASON SERIES: VAN: 3-0-0, NSH: 0-3-0 GAME BREAKERS: Canucks: Quinn Hughes arguably was the most dominant defenseman in the NHL this season, leading players at his position with 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games, and was plus-38 while averaging 24:41 of ice time per game. The 24-year-old did some of his best work at even strength, with his 54 points in such situations first among defensemen. He was on the ice for 108 goals at even strength, second among defensemen to Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers (112), and his plus-41 even-strength goal differential was fourth. And when Hughes was on the ice the Canucks averaged 56.4 percent of the shots at 5-on-5. Simply put, whenever Hughes was on the ice, the Canucks had the puck and likely were creating something offensively. Predators: Forward Filip Forsberg had the best offensive season of his 12 in the NHL, setting a Nashville record with 48 goals and finishing with 94 points (46 assists), a personal high. He also scored an NHL career-high 11 game-winning goals, tied with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett for second in the League, and his three overtime goals were tied for the lead. GOALTENDING: Canucks: Demko looked ready for the postseason after returning to the lineup with 39 saves in a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, his first game since March 9 because of a knee injury. After struggling last season with a groin injury that kept him out for more than two months, Demko has been mostly healthy this season and played like a top goalie in the NHL, going 35-14-2 with a 2.45 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and five shutouts. Backup Casey DeSmith was reliable at times, going 4-5-1 with a 2.94 GAA and .888 save percentage while starting 10 of 14 games Demko was out, but the Canucks' fortunes will ride with Demko's play. Predators: Juuse Saros had what could be considered an off season but only by his outstanding standards. Discounting his one game in 2015-16, Saros' 2.86 GAA was the highest of his nine-season NHL career, and his .906 save percentage was the lowest. He also allowed eight goals on 48 shots in losing both of his starts against the Canucks. But Saros has the ability to raise his game at big moments, with a .914 save percentage in the playoffs that's not far off his .917 regular-season percentage for his career. Kevin Lankinen was solid (11-6-0, 2.82, .908) in 24 games (17 starts) as the backup, but the wild card could be rookie Yaroslav Askarov, widely regarded as the NHL’s top goalie prospect. In his only start this season he made 26 saves in a 3-2 shootout win against the Washington Capitals that included saves on Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin in the tiebreaker. If Saros struggles, could Brunette turn to the 21-year-old for an energy boost? X FACTORS: Canucks: Forward Elias Lindholm has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 26 games with Vancouver after being acquired in a trade from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 31. Lindholm has bounce-back potential during the playoffs as he had 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 49 games with Calgary prior to the trade. He at least finished on a bit of a roll with five points (two goals, three assists) in six games to close the regular season and is seeing top-six ice time and significant power-play usage. Predators: Gustav Nyquist was third on the Predators with an NHL career-high 75 points (23 goals, 52 assists) in 81 games. He has been a fixture on the top line with Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly, who was second to Forsberg with 26 goals. With Predators having struggled against the Canucks during the regular season, Nyquist being effective on their top line and first power-play unit will be necessary for Nashville to offset Vancouver's elite offense. WILL WIN IF: Canucks: They don't get caught up in the moment. Most of the core was in place in 2020 when they made a surprise run, but there were no fans in the bubble. Now they'll be the favorite and under pressure from what certainly will be a sold-out Rogers Arena, packed with fans with huge expectations. It can be a bit much for a group that's never experienced it, but the focus will have to be on staying even-keeled through the highs and lows that come with postseason hockey. Predators: Saros can carry his strong play from late in the regular season into the playoffs. He was 15-3-3 with a 2.51 GAA and .916 save percentage in his final 21 games, allowing two goals or fewer in 13 of them. The Canucks can attack in waves, so the Predators will need their No. 1 goalie to play like a star if they are to have any hope of advancing. MORE: https://www.nhl.com/news/vancouver-canucks-nashville-predators-first-round-playoff-series-preview Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphinity 2.0 Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 This one is sneaky good. The Predators are still feeling the effects of being denied U2. And I don't quite believe the Canucks. Going for the upset here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 1 hour ago, Morphinity 2.0 said: This one is sneaky good. The Predators are still feeling the effects of being denied U2. And I don't quite believe the Canucks. Going for the upset here. U2, me2. Perds in 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Nucks wearing the skate blade jersey for that alone I have them in 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Canucks in 6. Really even teams when it comes to offense/defense, but gotta give the edge to the Nucks with Demko back in goal now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieNextel305 Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Dang. That series just got more interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valriera Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Made a difference tonight. DeSmith looked like shit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Yeah, this injury could cost them the season. Nashville is a pretty damn good team for a seventh seed. I think they may be a bit better than their record may indicate. They almost always find a way to be competitive as a franchise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted Friday at 10:39 PM Share Posted Friday at 10:39 PM 4 hours ago, Scott said: I trust Elliot more than this chick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted Saturday at 01:08 AM Share Posted Saturday at 01:08 AM Kathryn Tappen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted Sunday at 06:53 PM Share Posted Sunday at 06:53 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Posted Sunday at 09:29 PM Share Posted Sunday at 09:29 PM I've always hated Rick Tochet but I've come to realize I REALLY hate Rick Tochet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Posted Sunday at 10:39 PM Share Posted Sunday at 10:39 PM They must have put qualudes in everyone in the crowds drinks in Nashville. Team up 2-1 in a tight series, everyone in their seats can here a pin drop in the arena. Downright bizarre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Dreamer Posted Monday at 12:04 AM Share Posted Monday at 12:04 AM Preds blow a 3-1 lead in the last 3 minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted Monday at 12:19 AM Share Posted Monday at 12:19 AM Vancouver wins in overtime. What a win. Nashville toast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Dreamer Posted Monday at 12:25 AM Share Posted Monday at 12:25 AM Back breaker, with the blown lead and hitting the post of the Empty Net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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