Predators' Peter Laviolette Says Disallowed Goal 'Changed the Course' of Game 1
May 30, 2017
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 29: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Nashville Predators speaks to the media after their 3-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena on May 29, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators in Monday's Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final featured plenty of goals, but one goal that didn't count stood out.
Nashville's P.K. Subban appeared to open the scoring in the first period, but the goal was disallowed after replay review showed Filip Forsberg offside. "The impact of that moment, and the chain of events that happened after that—the penalty kills, I think, changed the course of the game," Predators head coach Peter Laviolette said, per Mike Halford of NBC Sports.
The disallowed goal started a nightmare first period for the Predators that proved costly in the close affair.
They allowed a five-on-three power play after James Neal committed an inexplicable cross-check during a delayed penalty period, and Evgeni Malkin scored during the sequence. Conor Sheary scored less than two minutes later, and Nick Bonino was credited with a goal after the puck bounced off Mattias Ekholm's stick for an own goal.
In the blink of an eye, it went from 1-0 Nashville to 3-0 Pittsburgh.
To the Predators' credit, they demonstrated plenty of resilience and dictated play throughout the final two periods. Ryan Ellis, Colton Sissons and Frederick Gaudreau scored three straight goals to tie the game before Jake Guentzel and Bonino scored to win it for Pittsburgh, and the Predators enjoyed a 26-12 advantage in shots.
"It never deflated us," captain Mike Fisher said of the offside call, per Halford. "It doesn't change our mindset, but it's unfortunate—we thought it was a goal. What do you do? From there, we played solid. We just didn't find that way to win."
The Predators will need a better start in Wednesday's Game 2 if they plan on finding a way to win and even the series.
Viktor Arvidsson Bleeds in a Letter R After Getting Tagged by Nick Ritchie
The play got Ritchie ejected from the game and left Arvidsson with the head wound.
Hits like this one have left players seriously injured in the past, and Arvidsson looked a bit dazed as he left the ice, so it's possible he may have suffered more than a cut to the forehead.
Colton Sissons, Predators Outlast Ducks, Advance to 1st-Ever Stanley Cup Final
May 22, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 22: Colton Sissons #10 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators are going to their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history following a 6-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducksin the Western Conference Final on Monday night in Bridgestone Arena.
Colton Sissons registered a hat trick to propel the Predators' attack, while Pekka Rinne made 38 saves, offsetting a 41-18 edge in shots in favor of Anaheim.
Not even half of the opening period had elapsed by the time the Predators took a two-goal lead.
Austin Watson opened the scoring 1:21 into the game. Watson received an assist from Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour, who deflected the puck into his own net with his left skate. The NHL shared a replay of the goal:
While Nashville couldn't have envisaged a better start, the Predators' momentum didn't carry over much longer. The absences of Mike Fisher and Ryan Johansen loomed large as Nashville's attack dried up and the team went into a defensive shell.
Taking advantage of the gun-shy Predators, the Ducks halved the deficit at the 4:45 mark of the second period. Ryan Getzlaf delivered a perfect pass to Ondrej Kase in front of goal, and the 21-year-old forward didn't miss with his close-range effort.
The Orange County Register's Eric Stephens was impressed by what he saw from Kase on the ice:
Ondrej Kase really showing himself in this game. Can be a nice productive winger for Ducks in future.
The Predators relied heavily on Rinne to preserve the 2-1 lead. Through two periods, Anaheim owned a 26-8 shot advantage, leading to SB Nation's On the Forecheck to make this blunt assessment:
Having already combined to score earlier in the game, Sissons and Pontus Aberg connected again to give the Predators a much-needed goal at the 3:00 mark of the third period, putting Nashville ahead 3-1.
Just as the home crowd let out a sigh of relief, though, Chris Wagner answered back two minutes later to again make it a one-goal game. Then, with 8:52 gone in the period, Cam Fowler tied the game with a well-placed shot that eluded Rinne.
With six minutes left in regulation, Sissons carved out a place in Predators history forever when he completed his hat trick and put Nashville ahead 4-3. Penalty Box Radio's Justin Bradford tweeted how the 2016-17 season has been a roller coaster for Sissons:
Watson and Filip Forsberg each scored an empty-net goal to put the game out of reach for good.
The Predators now await the outcome of the Eastern Conference Final to find out their opponent in the Stanley Cup Final. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a 3-2 series lead over the Ottawa Senators and blitzed the Senators for a 7-0 victory in Game 5.
Ottawa will host Game 6 Tuesday night.
No matter which team Nashville plays, the injuries to Fisher and Johansen will be a big factor. The Predators will hope the cliche that defense wins championships will hold true in the next round.
The Predators survived Game 6 while opting for a defense-heavy game plan, and based on their defensive performance throughout the postseason, the trend could continue. Nashville is allowing a playoff-best 1.63 goals per game. Maintaining that success could have the Predators lifting their first Stanley Cup.
Predators Take 3-2 Series Lead over Ducks Behind Pontus Aberg's 3rd-Period Goal
May 20, 2017
Nashville Predators celebrate a goal by Pontus Aberg against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of Game 5 in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Nashville Predators are one win away from the first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history after a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Saturday.
Pontus Aberg played the role of hero for the visiting Predators with a third-period goal that put his team up 2-1 with 8:59 to play. Austin Watson added an empty-net goal in the final minute to ensure Nashville a 3-2 series lead.
The Unlikely Hero
With the Predators and Ducks deadlocked 1-1 in the third period and both goalies playing at their best, another overtime contest looked to be in the cards.
Aberg, who had one goal in 15 games during the regular season, scored his first of the Stanley Cup playoffs with just under nine minutes remaining in regulation on a rebound from Filip Forsberg, as Sportsnet illustrated:
Coming into Game 5, the biggest question for the Predators was how their offense would fare without center Ryan Johansen. The 24-year-old, who led the team with 13 points in 14 playoff games, was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome Saturday and will miss the rest of the postseason, per NHL Network's Jon Morosi.
It took nearly 40 minutes for Nashville to get on the board before Colin Wilson broke through on a power play to tie the score 1-1 just before the second intermission, as the Predators showed:
It was Wilson's second playoff goal this season and first since Nashville's first game against the St. Louis Blues on April 26.
Rinne Still a Brick Wall
While the Predators were waiting for their offense to find ways to break through, goalie Pekka Rinne continued to be fantastic in these playoffs.
Rinne entered Saturday's contest with a 1.66 goals-against average in 14 playoff games. The Ducks found ways to get to him in their two wins this series, scoring eight combined goals, but he turned into a stone wall after Chris Wagner put Anaheim up 1-0 in the second period.
The 34-year-old Rinne stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced in Game 5, his second straight contest with at least 30 saves.
The internet reacted appropriately to what Rinne did against the Ducks:
Massive effort from Rinne tonight. Nashville plays for a Stanley Cup Final appearance Monday night. Bring back @carrieunderwood for anthem
There has been a clear pattern developing in this series, with the Predators winning the odd-numbered games and Ducks winning the even-numbered matchups.
The series moves back to Nashville on Monday, when the Predators will look to close things out. They won each of their first two playoff series against the Blues and Chicago Blackhawks at home.
The Ducks often looked like the more aggressive team in Game 5 but were unable to figure out Rinne. They already played one Game 7 in this postseason, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in the Western Conference semifinal, and they will need to force another if they want to keep their season alive.
Ryan Johansen Out for 2017 NHL Playoffs After Surgery on Injured Thigh
May 19, 2017
Mar 4, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) skates with the puck behind the goal during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Adding injury to insult, Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen is out for the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs after undergoing surgery on his thigh.
Per Hockey Night in Canada's Elliotte Friedman, Johansen injured his left thigh during the Predators' 3-2 overtime loss against the Anaheim Ducks. Johansen required surgery and will be sidelined for the remainder of the postseason.
The Predators confirmed Johansen's surgery was successful and that he has an estimated recovery time of two to three months.
Johansen was on the ice for over 27 minutes of the Predators' Game 4 loss to the Ducks. He has been terrific throughout the playoffs with a team-leading 13 points in 14 games.
During the regular season, Johansen's 61 points were tied with Viktor Arvidsson for most on the Predators.
The Predators and Ducks will play Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET. The series is tied 2-2.
Predators Take Game 3 vs. Ducks Behind Roman Josi's 3rd-Period Power-Play Goal
May 16, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 16: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Three of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators took a 2-1 series lead in the NHL Western Conference Final following a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena.
Roman Josi delivered the go-ahead goal late in the third period. The defenseman was in the right place at the right time as the puck bounced directly into his path, and he had an almost wide-open net for his shot. NHL on NBC showed the decisive score:
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 17, 2017
While the nature of Josi's goal was fortuitous, it was a deserved win for the Predators, who outshot the Ducks 40-20.
Having mounted little attack to start the game, the Ducks looked to have taken a 1-0 lead with 8:18 elapsed in the second period. Pekka Rinne got a skate to Brandon Montour's shot, but Mattias Ekholm knocked the puck into his own net. Officials waived the goal off since the net came off the moorings.
Former NHL referee Kerry Fraser concurred with the decision:
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 17, 2017
Nashville, however, finally made the most of its decided shot advantage with a little under four minutes gone in the third period. With John Gibson's vision impeded by a frenzy in front of goal, Filip Forsberg capitalized with a shot that sneaked into the top right corner.
Forsberg's tally bode well for the Predators. According to Sportsnet Stats, the team had won all seven games in which he registered a point at home in the postseason. That streak extended to eight games Tuesday night.
After potentially getting away with goalie interference for their opening goal, the Predators weren't so lucky later on in the final frame. Nashville saw two goals wiped off the board for interference. NHL.com's Dan Rosen and ESPN's John Buccigross reacted to the rulings:
Predators don't get the goalie interference penalty, so they go and double down on it. They weren't going to get away with it a second time.
Having stolen home-ice advantage, a Game 4 victory would be huge for the Predators. Beyond just the comfort that comes with having a 3-1 series lead, a win would ensure the Ducks need seven games to advance.
Coming off a seven-game second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim likely wants to avoid another series that goes the distance.
Kevin Fiala's Leg Injury Diagnosed as Fractured Femur, out for Rest of Playoffs
Apr 27, 2017
ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 26: Kevin Fiala #56 of the Nashville Predators lies on the ice after being injured against the St. Louis Blues in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scottrade Center on April 26, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators forward Kevin Fiala will miss the rest of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs after suffering a fractured femur Wednesday night during Game 1 of the team's second-round series against the St. Louis Blues.
The Predators provided the status update on their official website.
Fiala was taken off the ice on a stretcher and transferred to a St. Louis-area hospital after a scary crash into the boards following a hit from Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo.
Thursday's announcement included a statement from Nashville general manager David Poile:
During last night's game, Kevin Fiala sustained a fracture of his left femur. He underwent successful surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and is resting comfortably. He is extremely disappointed that he will not be able to help his teammates in their quest for the Stanley Cup, but is looking forward to starting his rehabilitation upon his return to Nashville. The Predators organization would like to thank the St. Louis Blues Medical Team, especially Head Trainer Ray Barile, Drs. Rick Wright and William Ricci, as well as the nurses and personnel at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital for their outstanding care.
The Predators, who swept the Chicago Blackhawks in Round 1, proceeded to continue their winning ways with a 4-3 victory. Vernon Fiddler scored the game-winning goal with just over five minutes remaining after two straight St. Louis goals had tied the contest.
Fiala netted two goals in the first five games of the playoffs after tallying 16 points in 54 games during his first full season in the NHL. The 20-year-old Switzerland native's absence could lead to a more prominent role for veteran P.A. Parenteau moving forward.
Predators F Kevin Fiala Hospitalized After Collision with Boards
Apr 26, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 17: Kevin Fiala #56 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 17, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/NHL/Getty Images)
Pete Blackburn of Fox Sports noted the Blues' Robert Bortuzzo knocked Fiala into the boards, "and the rookie forward's legs folded awkwardly on the heavy collision."
The Predators provided an update and said he was taken to the hospital:
Update: Fiala is going to a local hospital for further evaluation. He is alert and in stable condition. #STLvsNSH
Fiala is just 20 years old and scored two goals in Nashville's sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round. He boasts plenty of upside and is an important part of the goal-scoring rotation at this point of the season.
Wednesday's contest was Game 1 of Nashville's second-round series against St. Louis.
Predators Sweep Blackhawks to Open 2017 NHL Playoffs
Apr 20, 2017
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59), of Switzerland, celebrates with Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, and Ryan Ellis (4) after Josi scored against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in Game 4 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Thursday, April 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Nashville Predators capped off the franchise's first playoff sweep Thursday night with a 4-1 Game 4win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena.
Roman Josi was the man of the hour, with two goals—including a game-sealing tally in the third period to put Nashville up 3-0, as the NHL documented on Twitter:
Furthermore, Josi's effort helped the Predators achieve something no team had against the Blackhawks since 1993, according to Hockey Night in Canada's David Amber:
Last time the Blackhawks were swept in playoffs was 1993 vs. Blues and Cujo.
Perhaps even more noteworthy is the Blackhawks were limited to three goals the entire series, as the Predators shut them down repeatedly, per NBC Sports' Liam McHugh:
The Blackhawks have never scored fewer than 3 goals in a best-of-seven series. They have 2 with time running out. @NHLonNBCSports
The Predators were able to put the clamps on the Blackhawks thanks to a pair of shutouts back in the Windy City—results that have been rather rare over the past decade-plus. According to the Tennessean's Adam Vingan, the Predators became the first team in the past 15 years and only the third to post consecutive postseason shutouts on the road in Chicago.
Game
Result
Game 1
Nashville 1, Chicago 0
Game 2
Nashville 5, Chicago 0
Game 3
Nashville 3, Chicago 2 (OT)
Game 4
Nashville 3, Chicago 1
And in an ironic twist, Bourbon Street Shots' Mason Ginsberg noted the No. 1-seeded Blackhawks were overshadowed in the win column by their eighth-seeded counterparts on the hardwood:
Thanks to Thursday's win, the Predators will have ample time to prepare for their eventual second-round matchup. The Predators will meet either the St. Louis Blues or Minnesota Wild with a trip to the Western Conference Final on the line.
Entering Saturday's Game 5, the Blues own a 3-1 series lead over the Wild and appear primed for a date with the upstart Predators.
For more news, rumors and related stories about the Nashville Predators and the NHL, check out the NHL and Predators streams on Bleacher Report's app.
P.K. Subban Injury: Updates on Predators Defenseman's Upper Body and Recovery
Jan 1, 2017
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 10, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Predators 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Predators announced Subban has been activated off the injured reserve and is expected to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday.
Latest on Subban's Diagnosis
Saturday, Dec. 31
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Dec. 31 that Subban's injury was thought to be a herniated disk.
Subban's Return Gives Predators Huge Boost
The 27-year-old came to Nashville this offseason in a trade for Shea Weber.
Subban had spent the first six years in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, going to two All-Star Games while winning the Norris Trophy in 2013 as the best defenseman in the league. He finished with at least 40 assists in each of the last three seasons, including 45 this past season.
Only five players at his position set up more goals in 2015-16.
The Canadiens surprisingly shipped the talented player to the Predators after Montreal's disappointing year as a team, although he appeared encouraged by the move.
"I'm just happy to be in a situation where I can excel and feel good about myself coming to the rink every day," Subban said in June, per the Canadian Press (via CBC Sports).
The veteran brings a consistent presence on the back line to a team that is already among the best in the league.
The 
