I do too.. Are we in denial??
Thank you for your comment bp. It instigated me to look at this more closely in order to support the possibility of adding another unit on the Preds. And possibly, at the end of this analysis, dissuade me from doing that. Hope this helps everyone to gather more insight ahead of the next 4-5 games.
Here are some of the reasons I believe the Predators will
still win this series:
#1 Game 1: Preds outchanced the Coyotes and, after getting their legs back after a week off playing intense playoff hockey, they got their groove back in the 3rd and OT.
#2 Game 2: One absent-minded play deterred the focus of many players: Legwand's bocce hand shot in the slot that put the Yotes up by 2. Frustration signs were visible all through the rest of the game. Coach Trotz will do a debrief of the game, get them to voice any incomplete items and create a fresh new space to begin their mental preparation for Game 3... case closed... Like they would say at the next customer in line at Lafleur's in Montreal... Suivant, next!
#3 Pekka Rinne vs Mike Smith: Smith has had the edge so far, without being tested too much. Look for Rinne to bounce back and have his best games near the end of this series. If the Coyotes start losing their scoring punch and confidence, a shutout or two won't be out of the question (they did get shutout 6 times this year). Rinne is a 2nd year in a row finalist for the Vezina, he is mature and a dominant force in nets, who I believe will lead his team to victory.
#4 Nashville Predators: Beating the Wings in 5 games must have affected their mindset a little. Despite the clich? speeches they must have had, they (along with many others including me) probably thought it would be an easier series for them than the last one. Bottom line: they are a better team than the Coyotes.
#5 Phoenix Coyotes: what goes up must come down, just like financial markets. They are 11-0-2 in their last 13 games. They went on a 11-0-1 run earlier this year, then lost 5 straight and only had 4 wins in the next 14 games. I really like these stats as I truly believe this plays in our favor. Chances are their run will end sooner rather than later.
OK. Enough about the good stuff. Now let's look at some of the things that concern me.
#1 Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn: let's just say that they were not built in the same mold as Datsyuk or Malkin in terms of playoff intensity gear. If they do not produce or cause breakdowns defensively, we have to hope Gabriel Bourque and Colin Wilson take over some of their ice time. I am sure the coaching staff is monitoring this situation closely.
#2 Radulov: he is highly-talented and had a good 1st game and then a bad 2nd game... can he bounce back and be the player he was in the 1st round... I believe he will, especially in Nashville were the line matchups will be working in the Preds favor. If he wakes up, it could also spark the 2 other russians.
#3 Coyotes: their team spirit is really nice to watch, they look like a group that is tight. That is the thing that scares me the most. But when adversity strikes (and it will shortly), what kind of group will they become?
Can't think of anything else right now. I invite anyone who could provide added insight to come forth and share them, anything that contribute to the success of all of us.
I plan to review this again tomorrow. All the best! :0008
