Game 5 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final is set for Pittsburgh Thursday night and there is a host of subtexts playing out in this game.
Photo by Don.Haas@prohockeynews.com
After taking a 2-0 series lead on home ice, the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed destined for a sweep of the Nashville Predators as much of the conversation on the media floor in Nashville was focused on not having to return to Pittsburgh for a Game 5.
Despite outplaying the Penguins for much of the first two games, the Predators were trailing the series and the Pens were riding a wave of enthusiasm.
The Predators were sent off to Pittsburgh with a big throng of fans at the Nashville airport.
“Got a little bit last year. This year it’s ramped up even more. I mean, we feel the support,” Nashville’s Mike Fisher said of the send off. ” We appreciate it. To have that, when you come back, even when we came back from 2-0, there were people out there. Regardless, they’re there. Says a lot about our fans, the job they’ve done.”
Nashville took its defensive scheme to a new level on home ice with the top two defensive pairings of Roman Josi-Ryan Ellis and PK Subban-Mattias Ekholm.
” I think our D has played well all year. It has been good. Really it’s a block of them. I don’t think Yannick Weber and Matt Irwin get as much credit for the job they do,” Predators head coach Peter Laviolette said of his blue line corps. “Those top four guys you’re talking about, they take on good minutes. I think it really comes into play when you play a team that has two top centermen.
“We’ve had to do that going through a few series now. Chicago has two top lines. Anaheim really can hurt you with their two centermen. Same holds true here. Having the ability to have those four players available, it’s been good for us.
“It’s gotten us a long way in the regular season, certainly in the playoffs. Again, you have to include the last two guys in there, Matt Irwin, Yannick Weber. They’ve done a terrific job, as well. They’ve had to play against those guys, as well.”
The Penguins were pleased with their effort in Game 4 but they will need to change up some of the effort to overcome the Predators’ overall game plan.
Photo by Don.Haas@prohockeynews.com
“We liked a lot of the game, as said after the game and yesterday,” Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said. “After breaking the film down, it’s just provided more affirmation for me that we did a lot of pretty good things out there. It was the first game in the series that we out-chanced them.
“We had some high-quality chances. I thought our power play really looked good. We didn’t score, but the movement, the momentum it got for our team I thought was where it needs to be. Just focusing on controlling the process, those guys are in the — they’re moving in the right direction. They generated some quality chances. Sid (Sidney Crosby) gets a great chance on the entry on a clean breakout, gets a grade AÂť scoring chance.
“There are a lot of good things we liked. I thought in the third period we pressed a little bit and opened up. The chances we gave up in the third period were predominantly off the rush, which is a good indication we’re trying to open it up a little bit, we’re pressing to try to score, climb back into the game. But other than that, I thought for a lot of the game we really liked what we saw.”
The winner of Game 5 means the Stanley Cup will be in the Bridgestone Arena ready for presentation.
“Game 5 is going to be a win or die match for both teams. Neither team has lost at home, but whoever picks a road win will get a much better chance of winning the Stanley Cup. The defending champions are 1.5 home favorites in the online sportsbook odds, although, the Predators know that they have a lot on the line, and that creates an interesting scenario heading to Thursday’s night match” says Dave Strauss, line manager at MyBookie.ag.
Game Odds
Game:
Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Spread:
Nashville Predators +1½-225
Pittsburgh Penguins -1½+185
Total:
5½ O+110 / U-130
Moneyline:
Nashville Predators +140
Pittsburgh Penguins -165
Odds By MyBookie
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