Round 3 - Game 6

Anaheim Ducks @ Nashville Predators

Monday, May 22nd, 5:00 PM PDT

Bridgestone Arena

TV: NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Radio: Mighty1090, AnaheimDucks.com

Your Enemy: On The Forecheck

Backs against the wall, an elimination game, and a loud crowd in gold yearning to celebrate the Predators first Stanley Cup Final awaits Anaheim. With the Preds top two forwards out, everyone was giving the Ducks the upper hand. Obviously that was not the case as the Ducks were simply outworked and out hustled in Game 5.

On top of the flat performance of the last game, the Ducks come to Nashville still without Major Patrick Eaves, Rickard Rakell, and possibly John Gibson.

Yikes.

Randy Carlyle said Gibby would be reevaluated Monday to see if he can play. If he’s unable to suit up, that means Jonathan Bernier would get the nod. That would also require Jhonas Enroth to be available as the backup. Several future Ducks traveled out to the south, including players like Sam Steel and Max Jones, but none of them are expected to play tonight.

The game plan for the Preds cannot be much different from the previous tilt. Pekka Rinne looks sharp and their aggressive forecheck alongside their capabilities to clog up the neutral zone has caused Anaheim trouble. To stay alive, the Ducks MUST take advantage of the Predators down the middle. This was not at all the case on Saturday.

The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl will be in in the building, the place will be rocking, and the hockey world will have its eyes on this game. The Ducks will get to show everyone what they’re made of and I expect them to play a great game. They have shown us all that they can respond in the face of adversity and have proven me wrong happily again and again.

Believe.

Let’s Go Ducks.