Game 7: First Period

The Moment You Have Been Waiting For

It's time. No turning back now. Coming in, it will be the fourth Game 7 of the Predator's 2016 Playoff run. They are 3-0 in the previous three, but this game is in San Jose where they are win less in the playoffs. Will lightning strike again? God, let's hope so. Here we go as the Predators look for their first trip to the Conference Final. Let's drop the puck and stand up!

Goalie, is in his first career Game 7. Pekka Rinne won his first in the last round. Nerves are at an all-time high. Everyone is tense and it showed.

Two minutes in, Rinne makes an amazing save on a redirected shot from mid ice. gloved it, and forced a face off. Nashville would regain possession before turning it over. A breakaway would ensue and Rinne would block the puck with his back shoulder. The next shot found his glove.

Nashville would begin to play reserved while lines changed. Possession would go back and forth with no outcome over the next few minutes. Another Rinne save at 4:38 in. He now has 5 already. San Jose led the SOG category 5-0 early; reminiscent of Game 6.

Predator defenders were working just as hard as Rinne. Shots were going off chests left and right. Nashville was on their heels until the first break in action. Before the camera cut out, the refs were discussing accessing a penalty to Nashville's Viktor Arviddson for Delaying Game. 

During the Power Play, Nashville would hold their own until 1:20 left. Joe Pavelski was left wide open right in front of the net for his ninth goal of the playoffs. 

The Predators would begin to move on the attack. Two shots on goal before an Icing call would stop play. Shortly after, the same call would be made against Nashville. The Sharks would get in "prevent mode". Thus far it made no difference. Only once had the Preds really threatened in the Sharks end.

Hard hits from each team would ensue. The Sharks would take three shots before play stopped again when Rinne fell on one with 7:39 left in the first. 

Under six minutes left, the Sharks were the only team who had shown up. With a 1-0 lead, they had outshot the Predators 11-2. This game was going very similar to the previous one. However, it is in San Jose where the Preds are cursed. San Jose is living in the Nashville end. It was a very phsyical first period this far.

Rinne has come to play. Aside from a goal by Pavelski, Rinne has defended everything thrown his way. One timers, deflections, you name it. The Preds need to attack and give him a break.

The Preds had a with 4:00 left, but couldn't capitalize. A scramble in front of the net almost resulted in a goal, but it didn't. Icing would be called on San Jose.

With 3:09 left, a tipped puck would result in a Joe Ward goal. He held the puck until Rinne made his move before putting it through his legs. San Jose led at that point 2-0. Game 6 again?

8 Players would start a scuffle in-goal on the next possession before the refs stepped in. My opinion: Let them fight it out. Maybe a Shark would get knocked out.

With 1:38 left, another penalty would be called on Nashville. Shea Weber would be called for Interference. The Preds would win the draw and knock it to the other end. 

San Jose just outplayed Nashville in the first. 10 scoring chances to 2. The hitting was phenomenal. SOG was in their favor to a tune of 17-3. A two goal to nothing lead should have told you all that you needed to know. Nashville would have 0:22 left on the Power Play as the period ended with the Sharks leading 2-0.

-Dug

@chansm1th