Hornqvist set to return for Pens, Fisher for Preds in Game 1

The Nashville Predators has entered the Stanley Cup 2017 Finals of the National Hockey League in the US.

The word at the arena was that, until the second period Monday night, no team had ever failed to register a shot on goal in a period of a Stanley Cup Final game since the league started counting shots on goal 60 years ago.

This subplots in this series are many… Thirteen minutes and fifty seconds into the period, Calle Jarnkrok and James Neal were called for penalties. Four wins for the Predators and they capture their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in their first attempt. “They’re fantastic defensemen”, he said.

Fisher took a knee to the head from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson late in Game 4 on May 18.

I look at this series and see three major keys for either side… It was Malkin’s playoff-leading 25th point. Malkin had three assists in a 7-0 Game 5 win and then scored his seventh goal in a Game 6 taken by Ottawa.

Sullivan used his coach’s challenge, arguing Nashville forward Filip Forsberg was offside. He could eclipse even Mario with a third Cup (Lemieux has added two as an owner) and add to an already storied legacy, which includes a Conn Smythe Trophy.

Neal, a 40-goal scorer playing alongside Evgeni Malkin in 2011-12, suffered through a middling regular season, but in the Predators’ playoff run, he has five goals, including two game winners, in 16 outings. Should be some pretty entertaining hockey but Pittsburgh squad hasn’t had to play against a team that could activate from the back end like this* – and I don’t know that they’ll have an answer apart from hoping to ride a hot goalie (*exception: Erik Karlsson, who proves this point).

Game 1 is in Pittsburgh, but that isn’t stopping Predators fans from lining up to watch the Stanley Cup Final in Nashville. Frankly, had the Pens finished off Washington in five like they should have, and Ottawa in six, like they should have, I’d have to think they’d be a sure bet. The next shot he faced was Guentzel’s goal with 3:17 to play. Both teams love their goaltending. “I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly”. I don’t think it’s Xs and Os.

I’m not going to say that the video review department had it wrong. One game down, and lord knows how any of the next ones go. Those figures are far higher than for the games in Pittsburgh, driven in part by extraordinarily low inventory. Talk about being unfair to the man… “Here we are just one day away”. Ummm… those that are calling for that need to call it out for ALL skilled players… Welcome to the playoffs boys…

Colton Sissons has scored on a deflection on the power play.

My prediction – Predators in six.

“In my opinion, they’ve delivered a really solid 200-foot game”. Nashville tied the game. Radio coverage starts with pregame at 6pm on 102.5 the Game, the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber has the call starting at 7pm.

Usually with these live blogs, I feel I can grant some real insight, some solid commentary and a few jokes. A quick getaway weekend with my wife turned into the “Predator’s Evangelization Tour”.

We’re thankful for your support in every way.

Stand beside them, you die-hard Predators fans. “Pittsburgh is a well-seasoned team with multiple Stanley Cups and is very good on the road too”.

Ready for playoff hockey?

– All indications are that Mike Fisher and Craig Smith will be available for tonight’s Game One.

“Kris Letang played 28 minutes a game, plays in all situations”, general manager Jim Rutherford said.

“They’re both special”, Penguins winger Phil Kessel said.

Winning the Stanley Cup once is hard enough. Radio on 102.5 the Game. “It was like we were chasing the puck all night”. “I tell you, I can’t believe how excited I am”. Recent trends suggest that Nashville needs to win now, because if they don’t then this opportunity is not coming back. “We hate the result but we’ll move forward”.