Nashville Predators vs Carolina Hurricanes Game Three Preview, Storm Advisory & Scoreboard Update

The Carolina Hurricanes have touched down in Music City as they look to take on the Nashville Predators tonight in Game Three. After a gritty victory without Jaccob Slavin on Wednesday night, the Canes will look to go up 3-0 in the series.

The Predators will be fighting for all of their life tonight as going down 3-0 is essentially it in the NHL. The Preds fans will be out in full force with somewhere between 12,000-14,000 fans inside Bridgestone Arena. The first period could be extremely critical tonight and if the Hurricanes can survive a strong early push, they should be set up for success as the game goes on.

Game Notes

• The Hurricanes’ penalty kill is 10 for 10 so far in this series and was the defining difference in Game Two. While Nashville’s power play was abysmal during the regular season, nobody saw this sort of domination coming by the Canes. Can they continue that momentum on the road? That could once again be the difference in the game.
• Sebastian Aho needs one more point to move in to 5th place all-time for the Hurricanes in playoff points. He can also move in to 4th place for assists with two more helpers.
• Rod Brind’ Amour will pass former Hurricanes and Predators head coach Peter Laviolette for second most playoff games coached in franchise history tonight.
• Brady Skjei had his best game as a Hurricane on Wednesday night with Jaccob Slavin out. He played a playoff career-high 9:37 of shorthanded ice time which is the most SH TOI of any NHL player in a regulation postseason game since the league began tracking the stat in 1997-98. He will be leaned on heavily once again if Slavin cannot go once again.
• Brett Pesce has three assists so far in the series showcasing why he may in fact be the most vital defenseman on this team, especially when Slavin is out.

Storm Advisory

• In case you missed it, former Hurricane Jussi Jokinen has retired from hockey. [Canes Country]
• A certain group of players, the ‘Original Six’ if you will, of Rod Brind’ Amour’s tenure are pushing the Hurricanes towards a Stanley Cup. [NSJ]
• Don Waddell joined the Two Man Advantage podcast to talk about opening up PNC Arena, Dougie Hamilton’s contract and Alex Nedeljkovic:

• The Ottawa Senators have signed Clark Bishop to an extension. [Senators]
• The Columbus Blue Jackets have rehired John Davidson as president of hockey operations and extend General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen. [Dispatch]
• John Tavares was taken to a local hospital on Toronto after a scary collision last night against Montreal. [Forever Blueshirts]
• On the topic of scary hits, Nazem Kadri was ejected from the Avalanche vs Blues game two after an ugly hit on Justin Faulk. Kadri was offered an in-person meeting from the Department of Safety as many expect him to face a suspension. [Yahoo]
• A lineup of famous fans from all 16 NHL playoff teams. [ESPN]

Scoreboard