Game 7: Goodnight Nashville

So It Ends

Half a minute in, San Jose' Joe Thornton scores to really put this game out of reach. At 4-0, Nashville gave up Weber went off the ice frustrated and it seemed to be a tone for the entire game. Nothing went the Predator's way. Martin Jones only had to make 9 saves. Pekka Rinne at that same time had made 21 out of 25 shots. That was the difference. Nashville was completely outplayed and looked lackadaisical. 

With 16:06 left in the third period, a two-man breakaway led to a goal by Patrick Marleau. Nashville would then change goal tenders, but there was no need. San Jose played like world beaters. Nashville played scared as Hell and just couldn't get over the hump. This is how the season ends.

I'll end the post there. It is 5-0 and I have to work early in the morning. I apologize for giving up on our team and also on our readers. Have a good night, and look out for the morning wake up that will have the final score in it. Goodnight!

-Dug

@chansm1thGame 

Game 7: Second Period

Let's Go Preds!

The first period did not go as planned. The Predators would have to go a man down and two goals behind, to start the second period. Surely it couldn't get any worse.

Nothing would happen until Shea Weber came back. With full strength on their side, Nashville would have a costly turnover that allowed Logan Couture to score his seventh goal of the playoffs. With a 3-0 deficit, things looked dire for the Preds.

All three games that the Predators have won in this series, they have trailed. However, three goals would be a tall mountain to climb. The fact that San Jose was working Rinne as much as they were didn't play well for the Predators. Something would have to change if they hoped to make a comeback.

With 14:27, an offside was called on Nashville. Barret Jackman had left with an injury. Nashville was in trouble. They would miss two shots in a row before keeping the puck in Sharks territory. with 13:30 left, we would go to a TV break with the score still 3-0.

After going back and forth for several moments, both teams were playing very aggressive to no avail. Another TV timeout would follow with the score remaining the same.

San Jose has controlled every aspect of this game thus far. There has been no denying them thus far. Complete domination throughout. The Predators have not been anywhere near threatening so far. San Jose has been the aggressor and they haven't let up since the puck dropped.

Unlike Game 6, the Predators never got the momentum. They never once pressured the Sharks to think that things might be heading the other direction. The Sharks were faster, hungrier, and they wanted it more. Nashville was sleep walking through the first two periods thus far.

Nashville would begin to hit the Sharks hard. Multiple hits would leave the Sharks stunned and Nashville would begin to show some fight. They were attacking like they hadn't in the game before that point. An Icing call would slow the game down, but Nashville had led the game in hits 34-25 at that point.

After two periods, the Sharks look poised to advance to their first Conference Finals since 2011. It would take a miracle for Nashville to comeback. Hell, I would be surprised if they could score after this show they have put on. Two-thirds of the way through, it has been all San Jose as they lead 3-0.

-Dug

@chansm1th