The Nashville Predators rode a wave of enthusiasm and momentum into the 2017 Stanley Cup Final and promptly foundered on the rocks in Pittsburgh.
Not that the effort has not been there. Indeed, the Preds held serve for most of Game 1 and lost the match late after rallying from a 3-0 deficit in the first period.
Game 2 of the series Wednesday night was lost in a three to four minute outburst in the third period when the Penguins broke open a tight 1-1 game to win going away with a 
4-1 decision.
“It’s frustrating in the sense that we haven’t gotten on the board with a win yet. I think that’s frustrating for us. That’s what it’s about right now. It’s about putting together wins. So I think from that standpoint, it can be frustrating,” Nashville Predators head coach Peter Laviolette said after the Game 2 loss.
“But, you know, we’ve got to continue to try and get better with what we do. We can’t just look at the numbers and say, Yeah, we’re winning all the numbers, but the scoreboard, there’s got to be things we got to do better. We looked at some of those things today. We’ll try to get better, move the needle in the other direction on Saturday,” he added.
Game 3 is set for Saturday night in Nashville where fans have not had the experience of a Stanley Cup Final for their Preds before this series.
The expectation is the house will be lively for a crucial game.
“Well, it’s going to be a tremendous lift. The environment has been really good since I’ve been here. And before that, I’m sure,” Laviolette said of the home ice atmosphere that is anticipated.
“I’m just saying that the fans have been so supportive of our team in the regular season and the playoffs, up until this point. I think the playoffs, everything ratchets up and becomes even better, a more explosive environment.
“Then this year, seeing how it’s progressed from round to round, and to be in the Finals at this point, to see the excitement around the city, the excitement of our fan base, I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere.
“I know our guys enjoy playing at home. We’ve had good success here. Those are all positive things for our team.”
For Pittsburgh, it was all about the power play in the third period and keeping the Predators on their heels after the Pens grabbed the lead.
Pens head coach Mike Sullivan was asked about the Game 3 expectations for the power play unit.
“Well, I thought the power play was pretty good as far as the entries were concerned. I know we’re normally a little bit better on our faceoff percentage. When we win that first faceoff, it certainly helps us with that immediate zone, which gives our guys an opportunity to act on their instincts,” Sullivan said. “As far as our end zone time, we had some opportunities. I thought we did a pretty good job as far as using the perimeter of the rink to get into the look we wanted to get into. Now it’s just a matter of execution. We need to get more pucks to the net when we have opportunities to shoot the puck. When there are plays there to be made, we’ve got to make the plays.”
“I know our power play will be better. It wasn’t at its best last night. These guys have been so good for us throughout this whole regular season and the playoffs. The power play has won a lot of games for us here. They’re going to be important for us moving forward,” Sullivan added.
Sullivan has been faced with challenges this season and the post season including the Final series. But he has had the answers and he notes the importance of the team’s mindset as the series goes on.
“I just think it’s so critically important to have the right mindset going into each and every game that we play. I’ve always been a big believer in our coaching staff, a big believer of staying in the moment, controlling what we can,” Sullivan said. ” We try to learn from each experience, but we’re certainly not going to dwell on it. Those experiences are over and done with. It’s futile to look beyond the one experience right in front of you. I think that it’s important, if we’re going to get to where we want to go, we’re going to accomplish our ultimate common goal, the mindset going into each and every game is so critically important to setting our team up for success and giving ourselves the best chance to be successful. I think it’s my responsibility as their head coach to make sure I do everything in my power to steer that and direct that.”
Whatever the buttons pushed or levers pulled on the Pittsburgh side, the Nashville side will need to play a full 60-minute game Saturday to get back in the series.
The Predators return home on Saturday night, but despite heading to this game as 1.5 goal favorites in the online sportsbetting odds, Nashville is under significant pressure. They dropped the first two games and they know they must win Game 3 in order to have a chance of winning the series” commented Dave Strauss, line maker at MyBookie.ag.
Game 3 is set for 7 PM Central Time in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena where Music City will come together to try to carry the Predators to a win.
Game Odds
Game:
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators
Spread:
Pittsburgh Penguins +1½-275
Nashville Predators -1½+225
Total:
5½ O+115 / U-135
Moneyline:
Pittsburgh Penguins +115
Nashville Predators -135
Odds By MyBookie
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