Hockey Tonkin’ – Will the Real Nashville Predators Please Stand Up?

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Well, this is it Preds fans. For the first time since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Predators are facing an elimination game. After falling Saturday night 6-2, the Preds now trail the Jets 3-2 in the best of seven series. It’s do or die time. There’s no more second chances. No more saying “We played well, just didn’t get the bounces tonight.” The Predators will have to win two straight against the toughest opponent they’ve played all season. It’s no small task. But, if there’s a team that can do it, it’s this one. It’s time for the real Nashville Predators to please stand up.

It’s something that’s been said throughout the first round and so far in the second round, but the Predators team from the regular season and last season’s playoff run has yet to make an appearance. They’ve shown flashes, in Game 6 against the Avalanche and in Game 4 against the Jets, but, outside of those two games, we’ve all been left wondering what is happening with the Preds. The team has been saying all the right things, but the on-ice product hasn’t reflected that yet.

By now, you know all the issues the Preds have been having. The defense is hanging Pekka out to dry, Pekka hasn’t been as sharp, there has been little to no secondary scoring, special teams have been sub-par, etc. There’s no need to break down all the Preds’ struggles, because we all recognize what needs to be done. The team recognizes this as well (I hope). It truly is a matter of which Predators’ team will skate out of the locker room for Game 6, and if necessary Game 7.

Let’s not take away anything from the Jets either. They have been clicking all playoffs. Every mistake the Predators make, the Jets have jumped all over. They’ve gotten timely scoring from the entire lineup and Connor Hellebuyck has been great so far. There’s a reason they were second in the West this year. They are a really good hockey team.

That said, I still feel that the Predators are the better team. I know they haven’t shown it yet, but we haven’t seen the Preds reach their full potential yet. They’ve been their own worst enemy in this series, but it’s time to put all that in the past. Now it comes down to one game.

If they can put it all together and get out of Winnipeg with a win, then they’ll have to replicate that success in a winner take all Game 7. They are certainly capable of pulling it off, but it will take a full team effort. No shifts taken off, no more dumb penalties, just everything they’ve got for a full 60 minutes. Nothing less will be acceptable if they wish to advance. So again I’ll ask, will the real Nashville Predators please stand up?

Herbie Brooks is the Lead Hockey Analyst for SoBros Network. He knows three things: beating Commies, winning Gold Medals, and having great hair. Follow him on Twitter: @SoBroHerbie_B

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