Predators: Shutting down Pens’ stars not possible every game
NHL
NASHVILLE, TENN. » The Nashville Predators have shut down Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Getzlaf this postseason.
They have slowed down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Stopping them completely? Even Nashville defenders Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm and All-Star P.K. Subban are susceptible to an off night as they find out just how hard it is to keep track of Pittsburgh’s superstar forwards.
“It just seems to be like every second game, they’re talking about how good we play defense and then the other game they talk about how good they are as an offense,” Ekholm said Friday. “And that’s just going to be like (that). It’s world-class players. We can’t shut them down game after game.”
The Predators need another great defensive performance Sunday night in Game 6 or they will watch Pittsburgh celebrate a second straight Stanley Cup championship on their ice, in front of their frenzied “Smashville” fans, catfish and all. Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead Thursday night by routing Nashville 6-0 in a game that did more than just put the Pens a win from the title.
Ellis, who plays with Josi as Nashville’s top defensive pair, skated only 10 minutes, 44 seconds during the loss. He lasted just two shifts into the second period before he went to the bench in pain.
Nashville coach Peter Laviolette gave no update on Ellis on Friday. His teammates weren’t sharing any information either.
Whether Laviolette will start goalie Pekka Rinne isn’t a question despite the 34-year-old Finn giving up three goals on nine shots before being pulled after the first period. Not with Rinne 9-1 at home this postseason.
The Predators will have center Colton Sissons for Game 6 after the NHL automatically reviewed his cross-check of Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta’s face inside the final minute of Game 6. Sissons was given a match penalty, triggering the review.
Not having Sissons would have been a blow to Nashville’s depth at forward with center Ryan Johansen and left wing Kevin Fiala out injured.