NASHVILLE, Tenn – With a crucial Game 3 hours away, Nashville Predators head coach Peter Laviolette was unsurprisingly terse in his opening answers to several questions.
Asked about his starting goalie and his possible tinkering with the lineup, 
Laviolette simply stated, “Next question”.
Such is the feeling of intensity here in Nashville where the Predators need a win ion Game 3 to remain relevant in the Stanley Cup Final this year.
Despite playing well in both games in Pittsburgh, the Preds find themselves down 0-2 in the series to the Penguins.
Laviolette’s message to his Predators is simple.
“You have to keep it simple. Just make sure that we focus on today, not worry about a big picture. We got to win a game,” Laviolette said, ” We’re back in our building with our fans. I said yesterday, I still stand by that, there’s things we can do better on the ice. We’ve done some good things, but we’re behind in the series, so that can’t be good enough. There’s some things we can do better. We’ll look to do that today. We have gone over those things yesterday. Keeping it simple today, focusing on what’s been working for us. Like I said, I think getting back in here, the energy is going to be really good in the building tonight. We’ve been good here. A lot of confidence.”
Where the Predators have faltered is being undisciplined and taking foolish penalties in both games in Pittsburgh.
That has left the game in the hands of Pekka Rinne in goal but his defense has been suspect in front of him leaving alone on most of the goals or having them deflect in off his teammates.
“I mean, he’s (Rinne) been the backbone of our team for three years,” Laviolette said. “Longer than that. I’ve been here for three years, so that’s all I can really speak to. Whenever there’s any adversity, Pekka has always faced it. Had a terrific regular season. Got us to this point through the regular season, comes into the playoffs, has had a terrific run. There’s a lot of confidence, not only with our team, but also with Pekka.”
Saturday night t\, Nashville needs to bring its best game forward and stay out of the box.
They will also need a home arena boost from the Music City faithful as this town seems ready to  express a full-throated expression of support for the Predators.
Game 3 faceoff is set for 7 PM Central Time in Nashville.
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