(WC2) Predators at (1C) Avalanche
Western Conference, First Round, Match 1
21:30 ET; ESPN, SN360 (JIP), SNE, TVAS, ALT, BSSO
Roman Josie of the Nashville Predators and Cale McCarthy of Colorado Avelanche – each of the leading contenders for the Norris trophy – will face each other in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference at the Ball Arena on Tuesday.
Jossie, voted the best defender in the NHL by the Association of Professional Hockey Writers in 2019-2020, leads the NHL defenders in assists (73) and points (96) this season. He was second in goals (23).
“Personally, I watch it a lot all year round,” Makar said. “He appears in so many different areas of the ice where you wouldn’t expect him to be, and at the same time he’s dedicated on both sides. He’s an exceptional player and he’s definitely the engine of their team.”
Although, Norris’ runner-up last season, he led the NHL defenders in goals (28) this season. He was second in points (86) and fifth in assists (58).
“I love playing against him,” Josie said. “I love watching him play. He’s so dynamic. He’s such a great player.”
The teams that won Game 1 were 499-228 (68.8 percent), winning a series of NHL playoffs, including 6-2 in the first round last season.
Here are 3 game keys 1:
1. Rally around Rittich
Predators coach John Hines has said that goalkeeper David Ritic will start match 1, with Hussein Saros being eliminated in the first two games with a lower body injury.
Ritich went 6-3-4 with 3.57 goals – an average of 0.886 percent of saves in the regular season, including 1-1-0 with 4.80 GAA and 0.877 percent of saves against Avalanche. He won 5-4 on penalties at the Ball Arena on Thursday.
He has 17 minutes of experience in the Stanley Cup playoffs, allowing three goals in nine shots for the Calgary Flames in a 7-3 loss to the Dallas Stars in the first round in 2020.
“We believe in him and we believe in him,” Hines said. “We think he can come in here and help us win a hockey game and we will go from there.
2. Return to sync
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said center Nazem Kadri would be a decision during the match, but Kadri was skating on Tuesday morning after missing two training sessions due to illness. Colorado appears to be perfectly healthy, with striker Gabriel Landeskog playing for the first time since knee surgery on March 14.
Avalanche has to come up with combinations of lines, resume chemistry and find his “A” game again after going 1-5-1.
“Maybe we were looking a little ahead [to the playoffs]but we are all very confident in our games, “said Avalanche goalkeeper Darcy Kumper.” That’s what we’ve been looking forward to. “
Nashville went 2-3-2 down the stretch.
3. Avoid “softer” punishments
The Predators led the NHL on penalties (1035) during the regular season and spent more time with a deficit (455: 43) than anyone but Carolina Hurricanes (479: 10). In four games against Avalanche, they executed 21 penalties and spent 24:11 short. Colorado won 5 to 17 in the power game (29.4 percent).
Hines said the key would be to stay away from “softer” penalties, such as stick and penalty penalties 200 feet from the net.
“These are the trips,” Hines said. “These are the detentions. These are the hooks, the slashes, the things you can stick on the puck instead of going into a person’s hands. I think these are the things that will be essential.”
Predators estimated composition
Philippe Forsberg – Michael Granlund – Matt Duchamp
Luke Kunin – Ryan Johansen – Philippe Tomasino
Jacob Trenin – Colton Sisson – Tanner Jano
Nick Cousins - Michael McCarran – Eli Tolvanen
Josie’s novel – Dante Fabro
Matthias Eholm – Alexander Carrier
Mark Borowiecki – Matt Benning
David Ritich
Connor Ingram
Scratched: Ben Harpour, Jeremy Davis, Mathieu Olivier, Jeremy Lawson, Philip Myers, Matt Luff
wounded: Juuse Saros (lower body)
Avalanche forecast composition
Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan McKinnon – Valerie Nichushkin
Andre Burakovski – Nazem Kadri – Miko Rantanen
Arthur Lekonen – JT Compher – Nicola Obe-Kubel
Andrew Coliano – Nico Storm – Darren Helm
Cale McCarthy – Devon Tows
Samuel Girard – Josh Manson
Eric Johnson – Bowen Bayram
Darcy Kumper
Pavel Frankuz
Scratched: Jack Johnson, Alex Newhook, Logan O’Connor, Ryan Murray, Curtis McDermid
wounded: None
Status report
Ritic will start his first playoff. … Saros has missed the last two games of the regular season. … Landeskog has been eliminated in the last 23 games of the regular season.
Add Comment