Ducks Tie Series 1-1

"If we go there 2-0, then we are in trouble, and we know that." - Corey Perry

Erat lost teeth in the thrid

Well, Corey, even though you guys got the 5-3 win Friday night and are coming into Nashville 1-1 in the series, you are still going to be in trouble.

Don't let the win let you think that you guys are going to come to Nashville and do something. Because, in case you forgot, the Preds finished fifth in the league with wins at home.  

Also, the Preds were able to pull within one half way through the third, which we know made you nervous. You guys better watch out, because what we brought to you in the third period Friday night, is what we will bring to you in Games 3 and 4.

Be ready to lose in front of the best 7th man in the NHL!

Now on to a recap of Game 2.

First Period:
Anaheim came off the bench to start the period electrified and just twenty seconds into the period, the Ducks had a chance to to get on the board early.

However, Pekka Rinne made a save with his mask and kept his team in the game.

 Three minutes after Rinne's mask save, Nashville took two slashing penalties from Martin Erat and Shane O'Brien.

The Ducks showed the Predators just how dangerous they are on the power-play when they scored twice with the man advantage taking the lead 2-0.

Perry scored on the 5-on-3 at 5:24 and was assisted by Saku Koivu and Lubomir Visnovsky.

Thirty-eight seconds later, Teemu Selanne scored the Ducks second goal of the game on the PP.  Cam Fowler and Ryan Getzlaf assisted Selanne's goal. 

The goals occurred just six minutes into the opening frame.

Nashville got their first power-play opportunity at 8:51, but the Predators were not able to capitalize as the Ducks only allowed them to take one shot on goal.

Three more penalties were handed out in the remaining minutes of the period, but neither team was able to score.

Shots on goal:
Nashville - 12
Anaheim -  12

2nd Period:
Barry Trotz obviously said something to his team as they came out in the second playing like a different team. The time of possession was a lot better in the second which resulted in scoring chances for Nashville. 

George Parros and Jerred Smithson got into a scuffle at 3:07 after Parros took a cheap shot on Smithson and took him down to the ice with a neck hold. Parros got a double minor for roughing.

The Preds had many scoring chances but were unable to get anything past Ray Emery until Weber put the puck top-shelf with a wrist-shot just  39 second left on the PP. Sergei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter picked up the assists on Webs goal. 

2-1 Ducks.

The Preds were unable to stay within in one for long as the Ducks answered at 7:12 when Bobby Ryan rushed the net to get the rebound off of Getzlaf's shot.

Kevin Klien had a chance at an open net after Erat's break-out was denied by a poke check by Emery, but he couldn't get the puck above Emery's glove.

More penalties were given to both teams but neither could generate any offense.

Getzlaf scored Anaheim's fourth goal of the game just as Blake Geoffrion stepped back onto the ice after serving his penalty for interference.

Shots on goal:
Nashville - 13
Anaheim - 10

3rd Period:
The third period started off with with a two minute minor against the Ducks giving the Preds their fifth power-play of the game.

Nashville put up good pressure on the power play resulting in a goal by Patric Hornqvist and assists from Kostitsyn and Weber. The goal resulted in the Preds going 2/5 with the man advantage.

The Preds got their sixth power-play chance at 2:52, and despite the pressure they put up, they were unable to convert on the chance.

Shortly after the power-play Erat took a hit knocking out some of his teeth, but came back onto the ice after a very short recovery.

For the majority of the period, the Preds kept the puck in the offensive zone, but Emry continued to make unbelievable saves. The Preds were also busy delivering nice hits in the middle part of the period.

The Preds good offensive play led to them to score the third goal coming off the stick of Joel Ward at 9:43. David Legwand and Erat picked up the assists.

The Preds did a great job in the end keeping up the pressure and forcing a lot of offensive zone draws, but in the end they were forced to pull Rinne and get the extra attacker.

This led to the Ducks 5th goal of the night with the final score of 5-3.

Though the Preds came out strong in the third and kept up the pressure, they fell just short of the come back we were all hoping for.

Still it was a close game and I'm sure the Preds will come back with a lead in the series after Sunday's game at the Bridgestone Arena.

For the Preds to take game three and four they need to play disciplined hockey and stay out of the box because it is the only way the Ducks can score. Nashville owns the game when five aside hockey is being played.

Tune in at 5PM Sunday for Game 3 of the quarterfinals.