5/15/2017 Anaheim Ducks Even Up Western Conference Finals with Comeback Win Over the Nashville PredatorsRead NowBy DjackInitially, this Western Conference matchup looked about as boring as most western movies these days, but that's why you never judge a book by it's cover. These two teams do not like each other, James Neal made that known before the game started when he kept skating dangerously close to Ryan Kesler. Early on, it looked like the Predators were going to extend there winning streak to 4 games in the playoffs. They were outplaying the Ducks on every level and the scoreboard was reflecting that early. Ryan Johansen, who had a huge game for the Preds, got out ahead of the defense on a break away, and just beat Gibson glove side for the goal. Predators led 1-0. Minutes later, it's Johansen assisting this time, he passes the puck down to James Neal by goal line extended, and the goalie was being shielded so well by another Predators player that Neal just had a wide open look that he finished with ease. Predators led 2-0 now, and the Ducks playoff collapse was finally upon us.
This isn't the same Ducks team, though, they don't quit like those past Ducks teams did. The Ducks, who have struggled so much on the power play so far this series, finally broke through with a minute to go in the first period when Sami Vatanen blasted slap shot past Rinne that banged off the post into the net for a goal. 2-1 now, as the Ducks close the gap with a huge goal to close out the first period. They'd carry that momentum into the second period. Not even a minute into the period the Ducks are on the offensive, Rickard Rakell delivers a beautiful pass across the ice to Jakob Silfverberg, who is waiting on the opposite of the net where the goalie isn't, and he puts in the net without an issue. Ducks tie it up at 2 piece as they finally regained the momentum in this series. Silfverberg would then make an awful pass leading to a turnover, Predators then got out on a break away, Viktor Arvidsson faked the shit out of the Ducks goaltender, went for the wrap around goal, which if he connected on would've been an all timer, unfortunately he was stuffed by the post, but Forsberg buried the rebound. Predators regained the lead and all the sudden the Ducks were being the Ducks, again. The Ducks from there on out basically dominated the game. They'd score two goals in the second period to give themselves a lead. One of them came off a shot that goalie Rinne just couldn't control and it snuck in behind him for a goal. The next one was just an absolute missile by Nick Ritchie to give them the lead. After that the defense just played out of there god damn minds and fought off the Predators attempts at tying this game back up. Predators pulled their goalie in attempt to tie it up one last time, Ducks won the face off then scored on the empty net moments later to seal the game 2 victory. Ducks tie up the series at 1 game a piece and as of right now it looks like either one of these teams may very well advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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AuthorDjack- Chief editor Archives
February 2018
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