Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017: Anaheim vs. Nashville Series Prediction
The Conference Finals of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Start on Thursday. Meaning we are Getting Closer and Closer to the Stanley Cup, Who Will Win it? Follow This Series to Find Out!
BREAKDOWN OF THE TEAMS FIRST ROUND:
Nashville has been dominant all post-season, running through a Minnesota teamed that was deemed to be better all the way around. And after that, they beat out the Blues who's goaltender Jake Allen was just as solid as Pekka Rinne. But somehow the Predators overwhelmed the Blues and beat them out as well. As for Anaheim, they played a very tough series against Edmonton after sweeping their provincial rival in four games. Both of these teams have a tremendous offense, defense, and goaltending but only one will move onto the cup final.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
May 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) celebrates with teammates after a 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues in game six of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to special teams, Nashville is ahead of Anaheim in both categories. They have a power play that is ranked sixth in the playoffs and their penalty kill sits in the exact same position. Both of Nashville's power play units are skilled containing Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen, James Neal, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Kevin Fiala, Mike Fisher, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Ellis, and P.K. Subban and their penalty kill is just as good.
As for Anaheim's power play, they currently sit 14th in the post-season at 13.9 percent which is quite surprising when you look at their offense. Another cause for concern is their penalty kill which sits 15th in the post-season at 69.0 percent. With power play units containing Ryan Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrick Eaves, Jakob Silfverberg, Cam Fowler, Rickard Rakell, Antoine Vermette, Corey Perry, Brandon Montour, and Shea Theodore. Now when you look at these units how can this team be 14th? it's only a matter of time before it picks back up.
EDGE: Nashville
OFFENSE:
May 5, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Nate Thompson (44) celebrates after the game winning goal by right wing Corey Perry (10) after game five of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams have four solid lines, Anaheim has Rakell, Getzlaf, Perry, Andrew Cogliano, Kesler, Silfverberg, Nick Ritchie, Vermette, Chris Wagner, Nicolas Kerdiles, Nate Thompson, and Ondrej Kase who have shown they can score in the clutch and has so far scored 35 goals in the post season. Nashville though hasn't scored as much. The Predators have only put in 28 goals, and with the front end containing Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson, Calle Jarnkrok, Mike Fisher, Miikka Salomaki, Colin Wilson, Colton Sissons, James Neal, Harry Zolnierczyk, Vernon Fiddler, Austin Watson and Kevin Fiala it's surprising they haven't been able to score more.
EDGE: Anaheim
DEFENSE:
Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Now when it comes to defense, the Predators have the Ducks beat in every scenario. Nashville has only allowed 14 goals against which is outstanding but with the defenseman they have, it's not too surprising. Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, P.K. Subban, Matt Irwin, and Yannick Weber have been shutting everyone down. Anaheim's defense, on the other hand, hasn't been too solid, they have allowed 33 goals against. Cam Fowler, Brandon Montour, Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, Shea Theodore, Sami Vatanen definitely need to pick up play. The injuries of Clayton Stoner, Simon Despres, and Kevin Bieksa doesn't help either.
EDGE: Nashville
GOALTENDING:
May 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) after a save during the second period against the St. Louis Blues in game six of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Now, this is where thing's get wide open for the Predators, Pekka Rinne has been on absolute fire. And some think if it wasn't for him, the Predators wouldn't be where they are now. Rinne has played in all ten of the Predators games so far and in doing so has earned himself an 8-2-0 record with a .951 save percentage and 1.37 goals against average along with two shutouts. Anaheim, on the other hand, they haven't been so lucky. John Gibson has played in 11 of the team's games earning a record of 7-3-0 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against-average. Jonathan Bernier has also had to play a couple of games which is never a good thing and in doing so has almost the same numbers as Gibson.
EDGE: Nashville
SERIES OUTCOME:
Now this series is going to be intense, the Predators can win games and Anaheim keep's pulling W's out of thin air. If Nashville's special teams and goaltending can keep doing what they do best, the series is Nashville's. But Anaheim can always win it as well since they do have a lot of clutch players on their team.
FINAL SERIES RECORD: Nashville wins series 4-3
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