Game 6: Third Period

Game 6: One Last Stand?

 The Preds are still attacking as the third period gets underway. San Jose is reeling on defense and gasping for air. It feels like at any moment that Nashville is going to take the lead and this game. Let's hope that's the case.

The Predators took a penalty with 11:00 left to go. Goaltender Interference was called on Miika Salomaki to the displeasure of the fans, but it could have been the right call. The Sharks would get a power play. On the first face off, Rinne would make a spectacular save, The Preds would clear the puck to allow some space before the next Shark attack. The puck would be cleared again.

With 0:55 left before Salomaki came back, Logan Couture would score the go ahead goal to take the lead back. With 9;00 left, Nashville is on the ropes again playing for their season. The goal was San Jose's 11th power play goal of the playoffs. Things are looking dire.

With 7:16 left, the Preds would answer! Another equalizer ignites these fans after a no call. Bridgestone Arena goes from silent to euphoria. Colin Wilson sends the roof off of the building with his tying goal. Stand Up!

With the momentum back in their corner, this game feels like its Nashville's to lose. Fans are going nuts as we head to another TV break with 4:56 left. 

Side note: Dallas defeats St Louis to force a Game 7. The winner of that series will face the winner of this one after its over.

Preds still attacking. Under 4:00 and it is looking like this is Nashville's game to lose. They haven't led all night, but its obvious where the momentum lies at this point.

Predators find a loose puck and just miss. Two shots later, they still have the puck in San Jose's end. The SOG is now heavily in Nashville's favor. It feels like another long night that will end in overtime. 

1:29 left and we have a face off in San Jose territory. The replays being shown show just how close the Preds were to scoring on their last possession. San Jose takes the puck but Nashville takes it the other way. After a missed shot, its under one minute remaining. 

Nashville passing well enough for scoring chances, but Jones is protecting well. 

We are headed to overtime!!

-Dug

@chansm1th

Game 6: Second Period

Game 6: Do or Die

Hell's Bells! No one told me how long it is between periods in hockey. I'm going to run out of beer!

Quickly after the start of the second period, Nashville knocked in the equalizer during a 4-on-4. Ryan Johansen tied the game up just 1:25 into the second period. This place is rocking and it's really frickn' exciting. Nashville is pressing the Sharks and keeping them in their end. It was their second 4-on-4 goal of the series.

Nashville kept the pressure up. After a save by Jones on the Colin Wilson shot, play was stopped, but the crowd erupted. The intensity of the Preds is over matching the Sharks at this point. The crowd is pleased with this hard nose play by their home team. 

A line change for Nashville five minutes in was nearly as disastrous for them as it was the Sharks earlier in the game. Nonetheless, Nashville would keep pressing. Shots on goal was back near level after 7 minutes of the second period with San Jose leading 9-8. 

The tying shot would come with 12:45 left; a save by Martin Jones , A graphic was shown on the broadcast that Predators' coach Peter Laviolette is 12-6 in the playoffs when facing elimination. I like his chances. 

The Preds would get a few quick chances, but nothing ever came from it. Jones would cover up to stop play for the time being. Nashville has finally taken an 11-10 SOG lead after not taking their first until after the 10 minute mark of the first period. 

An offside call would stop a Shark attack that lasted over a minute. Great break for the Preds with 8:00 left in the second period as the try to stave off elimination. 

With about 6:00 to go in the period, the Preds had three looks at the goal. After missing, the Sharks went on the attack only to be denied by Rinne who would cover up the puck to send us to the next TV break.

The announcers just asked how late this game would go to which one replied "all night". God I hope not. 

Craig Smith just took a check from Brent Burns that would have sent me to the hospital for at least a week. These are the toughest athletes in sports today. 4:00 left in the second period.

Preds still taking good shots. Looking really good. Shots aren't going in at the moment, but it is obvious who has all of the momentum. SOG now 18-12 in favor of Nashville. Completely different game here in the second period than it was when the Sharks led 2-0.

As the second period ends, it feels like Nashville is up 5-0. The crowd is nuts. Nashville has took the offensive as they have outshot San Jose 13-4 in the period. With the final one remaining, it is bound to be exciting. Game is tied at 2 going to the third.

-Dug

@chansm1th

Are You Ready?

Time to Step It Up!

Are you ready? The Preds are live in just less than two hours. No time left for excuses; you win, or you're done. Puck drops at 9 PM on CNBC. If hockey isn't your thing, there are a couple of different games on tonight that we will look at. 

Monday Night Baseball

Detroit at Washington

The Detroit Tigers make a trip to the nation's capital to take on Stephen Strasburg (5-0, 2.36) and the Washington Nationals. There aren't many pitchers who are as hot at the moment as Strasburg, so that should be enough reason to watch. Opposing him, Anibal Sanchez is an electric pitcher in his own right. Strikeouts will be a plenty on both sides tonight.

Happy Jose Day!

Jose Fernandez takes the mound at home tonight against the struggling Milwaukee Brewers. Any time Fernandez pitches, especially at home, it's guaranteed to be something to watch.I'll go ahead and say that Jose will strike out at least eight, and give up no runs before leaving in the seventh. Watch it!

Golden State at Portland

Game 4

Golden State leads 2-1

After winning his second consecutive MVP award, Steph Curry is currently questionable for tonight's game 4 against Portland. Lillard coming off a 40 point game might have to share the show tonight should the MVP play. Despite not playing since Game 4 of the Houston series, we keep hearing that Curry will be ready for the next round of the playoffs. But what about this one? Portland isn't exactly a pushover. They showed that on Saturday. Keep this game in your guide tonight on TV. 

For now, I'm going to check out, and watch Vinyl. Watch for posts concerning tonight's Game 6 while its on. Until then...

-Dug

@chansm1th

Mother's Day Morning Wake UP

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Good Mother's Day morning! If your mother is still with you, call her and make her day. If you're still a loser (Corbett), get out of bed, walk across the house and wish her a Happy Mom's Day. 

Nyquist Runs Away from the Field

Yesterday was a big day in sports. I could not image what would be more important than watching the Kentucky Derby yesterday, but if you are that stupid, you missed one Hell of a race. Sure it only lasted two minutes, but it went according to plan. Nyquist won in very exciting fashion. Exaggerator made a late charge, but just ran out of real estate, Should he have started a few seconds earlier, or the track was just a little bit longer, he would have been the one covered in the roses yesterday. However, Nyquist showed why he was the favorite, and also that he is unbeaten for a reason. For two more weeks, horse racing is relevant. Nyquist will pursue the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness, in two weeks on May 21.

Portland Defeats Golden State

Damian Lillard stole the show last night while Steph Curry sat out for another game. Lilliard went for 40 points while dishing out 10 assists in a game that cut the Warrior's lead in the series in half. On the other side of the fence, Draymond Green had himself a decent game also. Green had 37 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assits. Not too shabby. Game 4 is tomorrow night.

Preds get Crushed in Pivotal Game 5

History repeated itself when Nashville continue to avoid winning on the road in San Jose. Nashville is 0-7 in the playoffs at San Jose. There is good news though: Game 6 is in Nashville! The Preds will look to go back to San Jose when they attempt to force a Game 7 tomorrow night. Here's hoping for more playoffs.

Not much going on today in sports, it was all yesterday. Sunday Night Baseball is another Red Sox-Yankee match-up (yawn), the Cleveland Lebrons are in Atlanta going for the sweep, and Oklahoma City is at home looking to tie the series against San Antonio.

That's all that I have this morning. Now go and watch some sports!

-Dug

@chansm1th