Memorial Weekend "Kick"-Off

See what I did there?

It's finally Friday! Hope you're ready for a long weekend filled with sports, cookouts, and friends. I know that I am. Let's get in it and look at what happened and what will take place. 

Warriors Still Alive and Kicking, 120-111

Let's just give it up. Draymond Green is going to kick. Brace yourself and watch out because it's apparent after last night that his "shooting motion" isn't going to change. The Warriors fought off elimination with help from the same old crew and someone you had forgotten about. Steph Curry went for 31 while his running mate Klay Thompson dropped 27. The surprise was former number one pick Andrew Bogut dropping 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. It also didn't hurt that they hit 31 of 34 free throws. Kevin Durant showed up to play, but his 40 points just wasn't enough. Westbrook also had a very nice line: 31 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals. Still leading the series, OKC played sharp and good enough to win. Game 6 takes the series back to OKC on Saturday. 

Penguins Outlast Lightning, Advance to Finals

The Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated Tampa Bay last night with a 2-1 victory. They will advance to their 5th Stanley Cup Final to take on San Jose, who is playing in their first. Game 1 is Monday night. 

Looking toward tonight, Cleveland leaves the country again to try and finish off Toronto. Game 6 tip is at 8:30 and the Cavs can advance to a second straight Finals appearance with a win. Don't count out Toronto though. They have beaten Cleveland each time the matchup has been in Toronto. Expect the series to come back south on Sunday for Game 7. 

That's all for today. Be sure to check back for stuff from our other writers (hint, hint)

-Dug

@chansm1th

Friday Morning Wake Up Call

Good Friday morning! We have made it through another week, nearly, and it's almost time for the weekend. Before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to go over what happened last night and see what's on tap today. Let's jump in. 

San Jose Advances to Western Conference Finals

The Sharks held a televised practice last night when there was supposed to be a game. If any one sees Nashville's starting five, let them know that they are now on vacation. Pekka Rinne stopped 21 shots, but it was the five that got by him that were the difference. San Jose now advanced to their first Western Conference Finals since 2011 when they take on St Louis in Game 1 on Sunday. 

OKC Closes Out Spurs

Oklahoma City defeated San Antonio 113-99 to advance last night in the NBA Playoffs. A late push by the Spurs kept the score closer than it really was. The Thunder would not be denied this time. Trying to avoid sending the series back to San Antonio, they led after three quarters 91-65. In what might have been Tim Duncan's last game, he turned in one of his better performances of the playoffs scoring 19 points. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 65. The Thunder will meet up at Golden State for Game 1 on Monday. 

Looking forward to today, it will be a light schedule. Toronto has a chance to knock out Miami when the two teams meet in South Beach tonight for Game 6. In something we haven't touched on, The Players Championship second round is currently underway. Jason Day was the leader after the first round after a -9 round. He will tee off at 1:58 today and currently leads by two strokes. 

That's about all I have for now. Be sure to check back through the the day for breaking stories and updates. 

-Dug

@chandm1th

Here Comes That Man Again

Puck drops in 6.5 hours. It's game 7. San Jose is on the tracks and the train is coming through. Of course, Nashville hasn't been able to beat San Jose on the road so far. Blah blah blah... THAT CHANGES TONIGHT! Pekka and the boys will get it done and I am putting my guarantee on it. 

While you watch the game, feel free to say all of the angry things you want about San Jose and blindly support our beloved Smashville Predators. Victory will be had and the blood of San Jose will be drank. Get with it or get lost.

All my love,

@corbeech

Thursday Morning Wake Up

 

Almost Through Another Week

And a good Thursday morning to you. This blog is almost a week old, and we are having more fun than you can imagine. Thank you so much to all of the readers who work behind the scenes to make this enjoyable for us. (Hint: Comments are welcomed and appreciated!) Let's check out what happened while you were asleep and what we can look forward to tonight.

St Louis Advances, Finishes off Dallas

St Louis absolutely dominated Dallas on their own ice. After the second period, they led 5-0. Hell, this one was over after the first when the Blues were up 3-0. Dallas played groggy the entire game. One goal in the third period doesn't even help their case. It is one thing to lose in a Game 7, but a completely different one to get pants on your own home ice. St Louis will face the winner of Thursday night's Game 7 between Nashville and San Jose in the Western Conference Finals

Toronto Takes Game 5, Leads 3-2

DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined for 59 points as the Raptors take down the Heat in Game 5   No leading at any point, Miami seemed out of sync from the get go. Trailing 28-18 after the first quarter, Miami had been called for more fouls (8) than made shots (6). More bad news, Luol Deng left midway through the third quarter with a wrist injury. X-Rays were inconclusive. Game 6 sees the series headed back to Miami where it's do-or-die for the Heat. 

Golden State Advances

The Portland Trailblazers are officially done. Golden State held on for a 125-121 victory last night to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year. Before the game, Steph Curry was honored as the league's MVP. However, on this night, it was another star who shined the brightest. Klay Thompson went for 33 points while shooting 13-17 from the field. He also connected on six three-pointers to lead all scorers. Golden State now awaits the winner of SA-OKC. 

Max Scherzer K's 20

20 strikeouts, are you kidding me?? That's what Max Scherzer was doing last night while you were asleep. In the first time he faced his former team, Scherzer showed us exactly why the Nats are paying him so much. He tied the nine inning record for strikeouts and now shares it with the likes of Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood, and Randy Johnson. That's pretty good company to share anything with. What might be more impressive is that of the 119 pitches he threw last night, 96 were for strikes. 

Looking toward tonight, there are two playoff matchups that you definitely should keep an eye on. The first is Game 6 between San Antonio and Oklahoma City. The Spurs will look to fight off elimination with hopes of returning the series to San Antonio for a possible winner-take-all Game 7. 

The other match-up is a Game 7 in the NHL between Nashville and San Jose. The home team has won every game throughout the series, and oddsmakers are leaning toward the Sharks tonight by a large margin. Look for complete coverage of this one tonight. 

That's all for now. Check back throughout the day for updates

-Dug

@chansm1th

Tuesday Morning Wake Up

Welcome Back, Steph!

Good Tuesday morning to all. Quick turnaround after the overtime, but let's get ready for another day!

Steph Curry returned last night, in case you didn't hear. After not playing in the team's last four games, Curry looked fresh and in rhythm. Leading all scorers with 40, he also set a league-record with 17 (17!!) points in the overtime period. Golden State survived 132-125 on the road in Portland last night to take a 3-1 series lead as they head back home. Game 5 is Wednesday night. 

Stars, Preds Force Game 7

Two teams went into the night facing dire circumstances. Facing 3-2 series deficits, both Nashville and Dallas fought off elimination to force winner-take-all Game 7s. 

Dallas led 3-0 before St Louis would charge back to make it interesting. The Blues would score two goals before Dallas held on to win 3-2. Game 7 is in Dallas on Wednesday night. 

Nashville was quite the opposite. San Jose scored twice in the opening period to jump out to a commanding lead. After Nashville broke the goose egg on the scoreboard, momentum violently swing into their favor. They would tie the game early in the second period before falling behind 3-2 in the third. Just as it seemed like all was lost, Colin Wilson would tie the game two minutes after San Jose had taken their last lead. Behind a rowdy home crowd, the Predators would score the winning goal just two minutes into overtime. Game 7 is in San Jose on Thursday where Nashville hasn't won a playoff game yet. 

Oklahoma City at San Antonio

Game 5

Series tied at 2-2

The only real action going on tonight is a pivotal Game 5 in the Western Conference to see who will take on Golden State. San Antonio and the Old Guard have only last two games at home all season including the playoffs. After being trounced in Game 4, the Spurs will look to get one win closer to the Conference Finals tonight when they defend their home court. Tip is at 8:00 on TNT. 

That's all for now. Be sure to check back throughout the day for updates and breaking news. Thanks for reading!

-Dug

@chansm1th

Game 6: Overtime

Let's Do This

This game has gone a lot longer than I anticipated. We are out of beer, it's almost midnight, and judging on how long the last game in Nashville went, it might be a while before we go to bed. Buckle in and Let's Go Preds!

This is the 15th overtime game in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The shortest being 1:34, and the longest being three overtimes (Game 4). As the commentators said, lets hope to break the former record. 

The play-by-play announcers seem to want another long game. Not me. Puck drops and within 0:15, we have an out of play puck.

Rinne makes a great open save at a minute in and falls on it. He has 14 on the night. The only times that he has been beat is when he is either falling down, or the puck is deflected.

Goal with 17:57 left! A Shark miscue leads to an unorthodox Nashville breakaway. We are going to San Jose for Game 7 after Viktor Arvidsson's backhand goal. Final Score: Nashville 4, San Jose 3 OT.

Thanks for sticking around until nearly midnight. We'll have more coverage tomorrow leading up to Game 7 in San Jose on Thursday night.

-Dug

@chansm1th

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