Round 3 Game #5

Anaheim Ducks @ Nashville Predators

Saturday, May 20th, 4:15 PM PDT

Honda Center

TV: NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Radio: Mighty1090, AnaheimDucks.com

Your Enemy: On The Forecheck

Back home and all tied up.

The Ducks find themselves in a familiar situation ahead of Game 5 at Honda Center tonight. The Ducks had a 2-2 series tie heading into the game at home against the Oilers before pulling off one of the greatest NHL playoff comebacks of all time.

They will be hoping for a similar result tonight, albeit with a different, and perhaps less stressful, path to get there. As exciting as 3 goals in just over 3 minutes are for everyone, it’s not exactly the best way to live a long and happy, stress free life.

Anaheim will be looking to jump to a 3 games to 2 lead to put Nashville on the brink and send themselves to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in a decade.

The Predators will be without their top scorer Ryan Johansen for the rest of the playoffs. It was revealed yesterday that Johansen sustained an injury during the game that required surgery. This leaves the Predators with limited quality options at center, possibly needing to have a usual winger take faceoffs.

The Ducks can’t take the mindset of having an easier path to the playoffs, however. The Predators are still a very deep and talented team who will no doubt try to find another gear to make up for the loss.

Game Notes:

• Ryan Getzlaf was fined $10,000, the maximum allowed under the CBA, for the use of an “inappropriate remark” to another on-ice participant in Game 4. Speculation is that Getzlaf used some sort of a homophobic slur at a referee after the tying goal late in the 3rd period.
• Randy Carlyle told reporters that Patrick Eaves has begun skating again, according to a tweet by OC Register reporter Eric Stephens. His availability is unlikely for this series, but there is a possibility that he could be available if the Ducks make it to the Stanley Cup Finals if he progresses well.