Round 3 Game #3

Anaheim Ducks @ Nashville Predators

Tuesday, May 16th, 5:00 PM PDT

Honda Center

TV: NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Radio: Mighty1090, AnaheimDucks.com

Your Enemy: On The Forecheck

Another game, another slow first period.

The Ducks pulled out their specialty, however, and clawed back from an early 2-0 deficit on their way to a 5-3 victory Sunday night at Honda Center.

Unlike the Edmonton series, the Ducks have things all tied up headed into a hostile environment. If you are thinking about giving Nashville the edge because of their building, I’m going to stop you right there.

Edmonton 2017.

Calgary’s “C Of Red” 2017.

Smashville 2016.

Winnipeg Whiteout 2015.

The Ducks took two consecutive victories in Games 3 and 4 in these supposed “loud” buildings. They thrive in these situations. But by all means, keep up the noise and insults. It’s not like players like Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler feed off them.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about this team, it’s that they have a fire and resilience when in a hole, something that was rarely seen in the Bruce Boudreau days. Is it Randy Carlyle’s motivation and accountability tactics that are pushing Anaheim forward? Or is it a veteran core that seems to be finally tired of being pushed around in the big dance?

Pekka Rinne looked like he finally came back down to earth in Game 2. Whether or not he is able to recover is now something to watch.

Speaking of flopping dead catfish on the ice, John Gibson will be looking for a rebound outing as well after not helping his case after a stellar Game 1.

Carlyle continues to maintain that defenseman Kevin Bieksa “is an option” for Game 3. There’s no way of knowing when we’ll see him, but it’s likely he could draw in later in the series.

Reports are that Patrick Eaves is working out without crutches but is not skating yet. It’s reasonable to assume that Eaves may not be available for this round at all as he recovers from a lower body injury.