Live Blog: Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators Game 1
By on April 13, 2011
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Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Hey everyone! Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Kyle Nicolas here and it's my privilege to cover the first game of the Western Conference Quarterfinals series between the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators.
It's been called the matchup of teams nobody wanted to play in the first round. What better way to deal with them than have them face each other!
NHL On The Fly even stated yesterday that it might be the most exciting series in the Western Conference that will get the least attention from the media.
In the battle between Anaheim's high-power offense, led by Rocket Richard trophy winner Corey Perry, and the stingy Nashville defense, lead by juggernaut Shea Weber.
The Predators dominated the season series between these two, going 3-1 on the year against the Ducks, but everyone will tell you, playoffs are completely different.
I apologize ahead of time if there's a long period of time between updates, as I'm currently out of the TV market for the game, so I'm watching via an online stream. Hopefully this doesn't hold me back too much.
Face-off is slated for just a little after 10:30pm so sit back relax, and enjoy the game!
End of Game: Perry and Klein get in a scrum and take the entire line from both teams with them as the horn sounds. The Predators completely dominate the Ducks in game 1 of their playoff series, giving them a dream start, going up 1-0 in the series while on the road in Anaheim.
The Predators also outshoot Anaheim 30-28.
Game 2 will be this Friday night again at Honda Center.
Once again, you can follow me on Twitter if you liked this live blog.
A game summary is coming soon so keep your eyes appealed to Bleacher Report for that.
The Ducks energy line with Parros, Ruutu, and Marchant start causing havoc in the goal crease after Rinne gloves off their latest attempt on net.
The Predators kill off that penalty as well. It's been a frustrating night for the Anaheim power play to say the least, getting the only goal on a 5-on-3 advantage midway through the 3rd period. Even the crowd disapproves as they boo the end of the power play.
Nashville Penalty: Joel Ward ties up Ryan Getzlaf illegally and the Ducks power play has another chance.
Perry has two passing options coming over the Nashville line 3-on-2 but the Preds defense shuts the door and breaks up the play.
A pass to the left circle finds Brandon MacMillan who rips a shot that is gloved off by Rinne.
Nashville kills the rest of the 5-on-4 advantage with some stellar aggressive penalty killing and shot blocking. It's easy to see why they finished the year as the third-best team in goals against per game.
Anaheim Goal: Teemu Selanne finally breaks the Predators shut out with a wide open cage. Rinne makes a slew of fantastic saves but has to dive to make the last one, where Koivu recovers the rebound, carries it behind the net, and flips it out front to the waiting Finnish Flash, who's got an entire net to shoot at. It's 4-1 Predators.
Correction: Klien has received a double-minor for roughing, and it's a 5-on-3 for Anaheim for a minute and 23 seconds.
Perry jams a puck into the goal crease which Rinne covers up, and two Predatords go after him for jamming at his rebound. Klein and Perry are both going off for two minutes. The Preds will take that trade any time.
Nashville Penalty: David Legwand gets the gate for hooking and the Ducks get their third chance of the night.
Luca Sbisa drills Blake Geffrion in the corner boards which Geffrion retaliates for a few seconds later. Both of them go off for a pair.
Anaheim Penalty: Brad Winchester goes off for a roughing minor.
The Anaheim crowd is furious with the disparity in power plays so far this game as the Preds now have their fifth chance of the game.
Final Score: the Canucks have finished off the Blackhawks 2-0 to take a 1-0 series lead.
Emery gets tested as Erat splits the Anaheim defense and fakes to the backhand. Emery stays right with him and it's still 4-0.
Perry comes over the blueline with momentum, fires a shot wide off the end boards, and then throws his own rebound on net, forcing Rinne to make another great save.
He's been nothing short of stellar tonight.
Shots 25-17 in favor of Nashville.
Marchant tries to hit Bobby Ryan for a shorthanded breakaway but the pass just bounces off of Ryan's stick and rolls away.
Anaheim penalty: Sheldon Brookbank gets two minutes for pasting Jordin Tootoo (with a facewash in tow) and then cross-checks him while he's down. Pure frustration on behalf of Anaheim and the discipline is starting to disappear.
Winchester now out with MacMillan and Bobby Ryan for Anaheim. Huge line jumble.
Ray Emery takes over the Anaheim goal crease to try to get something going for the Ducks who have been completely anemic all night.
Nashville Goal: Mike Fisher sticks the final nail in the Ducks' coffin this game by stepping between the two ducks defensemen and buries through Dan Ellis.
It's the end of the night for Dan Ellis and it's 4-0 Predators.
Legwand and Erat are in 2-on-1 early. Legwand's shot caroms off the leg pad of Ellis.
Third period is under way and the Ducks have a huge hole to climb out of, down 3-0 to Nashville.
Once again another reminder you an follow me on Twitter for updates, random NHL musings, and links to articles when I release them to Bleacher Report.
Coming up later tonight: Game 1 analysis and looking forward to Game 2 of this series.
Another NHL score update: With just under 13 minutes left in the third period, Vancouver still leads Chicago 2-0.
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