Predators Formidable Defense, Game Three Mindset

Like coach Ted Orion said in “D3” the one thing all great teams have is good defense.

Nashville’s was certainly tested in game two coming home with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

The Predators blocked a postseason franchise-high 32 shots to get the win and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon was paired with Alexandre Carrier who led the team with 6.

“We were committed to winning the game, we put our body on the line and that’s what you need to do if you want to win the playoffs,” Lauzon said.

While Nashville is excited to be home in front of its fans limiting Vancouver’s offense will be a test in order to take a 2-1 series lead.

“They moved the puck really well and were able to retrieve a lot of pucks too. That’s some of the reasons,” goaltender Juuse Saros said of his perspective from game two.

Saros said it was hard to tell if the Cancuks were honing in on certain areas as well to pepper him with shots. The Cancuks gave him a slew of looks and with their depth on offense, Saros counts on seeing the same thing unfold in Nashville.

Kiefer Sherwood and Elias Lindholm during a stoppage during game two on April 23, 2024.

One reason Nashville’s defense could stand as strong as it did in game two was because they have veterans Luke Schenn and Ryan McDonagh to lean on who have 231 games of playoff experience.

“They’ve both won cups and know what it takes to win in the playoffs. It’s awesome to have their experience. You try to feed from their energy based on their experience,” Lauzon said.

For the rookie and veteran duo Stastney said he and Schenn catch up on the bench between shifts to discuss what they’re seeing and how to tactically be poised to make the smart plays.

“Even in the regular season he had a lot of tips for me,” Stastney said. “He’s made it easier on me to transition to the NHL level, but now that it’s the playoffs he’s had proven success and taught me what to do out there.”

After some sleep on the plane ride home Statsney and his teammates are ready to play in front of their fans.

Head coach Andrew Brunette’s goal is to counter with more offense in game three after having only 16 shots on Canucks goalie Casey DeSmith who is in for the injured Thatcher Demko.

After arriving on Wednesday night Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said DeSmith is set to start again for Vancouver.

“We didn’t have sustained offensive zone time that often in game two,” Brunette said. “In the third period, you’re going to get that push but I thought we did a good job closing the game out. We need to be a little bit more on our toes for the next game.”

Brunette doubled down saying his team wasn’t quite hard enough in the offensive zone and needs to get off to a fast start in their home building.

His veterans will continue to be as vital to the gameplan as they have been all season and exercising patience is an added factor as well.

“For us, it’s staying to our identity to who we are and putting our best foot forward,” Brunette said. “I think the effort has been amazing the first two games.”

Playing well at home is something this group has been itching to do after being in a raucous Rogers Arena for the last few games to start this series.

With or without U2 playing over the speakers the Predators fans are set to welcome their team back out onto home ice in a playoff atmosphere for the first time since May 9, 2022.

“Every playoff game you rely on your veterans, home ice shouldn’t matter,” Brunette said. “They understand we don’t have to put pressure on ourselves. Let’s just go play and enjoy the moment. Enjoy the moment; that place will be rocking, and for me, let’s get to our game as soon as possible. We’ve done a good job of that the second half of the season and it’ll be tested.”