No, it wasn't a pretty win in the first game between these two teams - but it was a win, and that's all that matters.
The Jets defeated Nashville last night 4 - 1. I had predicted a Jets win of 5 - 3. So, thus far, I've been correct in picking the winner twice, but haven't predicted a correct final score. Meh ... [2 correct winner picks; 0 final score picks].
Both teams had their moments of momentum, and lack thereof. Nashville was focused and impressive during the first period, but a goal by the Jets Brandon Tanev left the Predators behind by 0 to 1 at the end of period one.
The Preds upped their game a few notches and for the first half of period two dominated puck possession much better than Winnipeg. Nashville's Kevin Fiala and P.K. Suban - and other Preds - managed to have their share of shots on goal, but were denied by Jets goalie Hellebuyck. Preds Filip Forsberg shot-on-goal hit the post and was deflected. Jets Paul Stastny added his goal to the Jets score and period two ended with the Jets 3, Preds 0.
Nashville pulled goalie Pekka Rinne at the start of period three and replaced him with Jusse Saros. Around the 18 minute/37 second mark of period three, the Preds got their only goal by Fiala.
Nashville pulled Saros with a little less than 3 minutes remaining and the Jets Mark Scheifele nailed his second goal of the game on the Preds empty net 36 seconds before the end of the game, sealing Winnipeg's win.
Game 2 is Sunday, April 29.
Today's games:
Game 1 at 3PM EST between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay, with TBay on home ice for the first two games.
Tonight, at 8PM EST, the San Jose Sharks play in Vegas (LV) in game 2 of their series.
Predictions:
After Thursday night's loss of 0 - 7, I have to think that everyone in the San Jose Sharks organization has watched game 1 in frame-by-frame analysis in determining how to counter-attack LV who, so far, seem like they can do no wrong and play error-free.
I'm pulling for the Sharks, but LV is this incredible steamroller.
Pick: Sharks 6 - LV 5
For Boston and TBay ... we have two determined, disciplined, focused teams although TBay took their series 4 - 1 against the NJ Devils while the Boston - Maple Leafs series went all seven games. Did the rest period affect TBay? It certainly didn't affect LV, who also had a similar rest period after beating the LA Kings in four straight games.
Pick: TBay 3 - Boston 2 in 1 OT
(See Disclaimer at the end of this post).
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