Nashville’s season on the line tonight
NASHVILLE — The one that got away. That comes to mind when talking to Barry Trotz, the Washington Capitals head coach who prior to his current gig had spent 15 long years coaching the Nashville Predators. Along with general manager David Poile, it was Trotz who helped build this franchise from scratch, in the early days doing everything from scouting players to designing the jersey.
Trotz was here for all the ownership changes, for all the threats of moving the team, for all the uncertainty. But he wasn’t here to experience this: euphoria in a city that is two wins away from the Stanley Cup.
“When I started, we didn’t know if we were going to be there and now you see how far the franchise has come,” Trotz said in a phone interview on Saturday. “I’m a grandfather and now I’m taking my grandkids to see NHL hockey in Nashville, Tennessee. There’s been a lot of sweat equity from David (Poile) and anybody who has been a part of that organization.”
Trotz was replaced with Peter Laviolette in 2014, but you don’t forget your first NHL coaching job. Especially not one that lasted this long. Trotz said he still talks to Poile and ever since the Penguins eliminated the Capitals in the second round, he has kept tabs on his old players, such as Pekka Rinne, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis.
He’s happy for their success. More importantly, he’s happy for the city.
“We’ve talked a little bit,” Trotz said of Poile. “I know how important it is to him and how proud he is with the city and the organization and everybody’s who’s been a part of it. And he appreciates it. He’s been there since the beginning and put in some miles, if you will, to get to this point. He’s been first class all the way.
“I wish them all the luck, for sure.”
For the first time in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the actual Stanley Cup will be in the arena when the Predators play the Penguins in Game 6.
Whether it comes out on the ice will depend on who wins the game. But the fact that it’s there should underscore just how important the game will be.
“Definitely keep it in the box,” said Nashville’s James Neal, smiling. “We’re facing elimination and we need to have our best game. It’s a do-or-die situation for us. We need to have our best game.”
The Predators have never been in a situation this year where their backs are against the wall. The team swept the Blackhawks in the first round, took a 3-1 lead against the Blues and a 3-2 lead against the Ducks.
“We need to win this game and we don’t really see it any other way,” said Filip Forsberg, Nashville’s leading scorer.
For the Penguins, they have been in this situation twice before. Both times, they allowed their opponent to get back into the series and force a Game 7 — something that Pittsburgh does not want to do again.
“We’re going to approach it like we’re going to have the team that’s playing for its life,” said Penguins defenceman Ron Hainsey, who is trying to win his first Stanley Cup. “I think if we’re not prepared for them to play a tremendous game against us and make it very difficult for us to accomplish our goal, we’re going to be in big trouble.”
Heading into Game 6, the home team has won every game of the series.
It shouldn’t be that surprising of a stat. But considering that the home team only went 44-41 during the playoffs this year, running the table at home is a bit unusual.
“You think about it, you’re supposed to win your home games,” said Predators head coach Peter Laviolette. “They’ve been good in their building. We’ve been good in our building. Regular season and playoffs, I guess that’s somewhat predictable. You’re supposed to win your home games.”
What is the reason for it? Maybe nothing more than coincidence, said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.
“We’re going to do our best to change that,” said Sullivan.
One key to the game, at least for the Predators, will be in trying to limit Sidney Crosby.
The Penguins captain had three assists in Game 5 and set the tone early when he split two of Nashville’s defencemen and rang a shot off the post, drawing a penalty in the process that led to the first goal. Crosby went without a shot on net in Game 3, something that the Predators hope to replicate again.
“I think just play him hard,” said Nashville defenceman Roman Josi. “He’s obviously one of the best players — or the best player in the world — so we have to make sure we play him hard each shift.”
Ryan Ellis, who left Game 5 with a mysterious injury after playing only two shifts in the second period, did not practise on Saturday. The Nashville defenceman’s status for Game 6 is unknown … Matt Cullen, who might retire after this season, could do so in style by winning the Stanley Cup. Of course, we said the same thing about him after the 40-year-old won last year … What is the best advice Bryan Rust has for playing with Crosby? Keep it simple: “The first game I played with him, I think I was minus-3 and I had the worst game I’d played as a player in the NHL,” he said. “I tried to do too much.”