Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators Game 2

NHL Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview

The western conference finals heads to game 2 back in Anaheim following a narrow Predators victory on Friday. Coming in as ever-so-slight underdogs, the Predators outshot Anaheim 46-29 and finished them off in overtime. James Neal was the hero as he continued his hot scoring against the Ducks. This becomes the second straight series Anaheim has dropped game 1 and will look to right the ship or risk trailing the Preds by two games, a team who is far superior and experienced compared to the Edmonton Oilers.

Series: Predators lead 1-0

It all looked too familiar for the Ducks who were also upended by the Oilers the previous round. The Ducks were outshot despite winning the faceoff battle and having more blocked shots. The Ducks' powerplay continues to be a concern as they went 0 for 4 and only managed a single shot in their last two powerplays. That makes it 21 consecutive unsuccessful PPs. Ryan Getzlaf also went pointless.

Anaheim also started slowly and got outshot by the Predators 13-1 in the first 13 minutes. Nashville went up 2-1 in the second but the Ducks saved their best for the third and thoroughly outplayed the Predators. On a bright side, John Gibson, who appeared like the weak link in the Ducks, was their best player turning back 43 shots with a .935 save percent. Randy Carlyle will get the Ducks to adjust and have played better after every loss against the Oilers. Their powerplay still needs a lot of help and their experience coupled with their grit will see them make a better run in game 2.

The Predators were as advertised and then some although it took an extra period to deliver. They started hot off the gates outshooting Anaheim and continuously driving them into defense of their own zone. The inadvertent side effect rendered goaltender Pekka Rinne half-asleep as he let in an awkward shot from Ryan Kesler. But the Finn quickly bounced back and stopped 27 of the next 28 shots with an overall percentage of .931. Their much-hyped defense combined for four assists including two with the game-winning goal. They'll continue to be lynchpins for the Preds' chances in game 2.

A potential issue for Nashville is their powerplay and they went scoreless on five attempts. The top line of Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, and Viktor Arvidsson was productive with Forsberg recording a goal and Johansen having two assists but the difference-makers were James Neal and Austin Watson proving Nashville has scoring depth. The Predators are humming but now have to get ready for a Ducks team that plays better after a loss as they look to steal both games in Anaheim.

Ducks vs Predators Prediction

If the third period was any indication, the momentum is with the Ducks although they still got worked in overtime. With the correct adjustments, the Ducks will tighten up and use their physicality to make scoring harder for the Preds especially from the back. But Nashville barely showed any shortcomings and barring any injuries or underperformances, they should contain a more aggressive Ducks team on their way to a 2-0 series lead. And as an underdog team in most sportsbooks, they are a solid bet.

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Category : Online Betting News

Tag : Ducks , nhl playoffs , Predators , stanley cup

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