Postseason Game Day: Avalanche vs. Preds - Round 1, Game 3

After Games 1 and 2 went in favor of the Colorado Avalanche, the series has shifted to Nashville and Predators will look to respond this afternoon in Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena (3:30 p.m. CT).
Sixty minutes were not enough to decide Game 2 on Thursday night, but the Avalanche eventually prevailed by a 2-1 final in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead over the Preds. Goaltender Connor Ingram got his first-career playoff start and was spectacular with a 49-save effort.
Ingram will be between the pipes once more this afternoon, and the Predators are eager to get their chance on home ice and cut Colorado's series lead in half.

"We know there's a lot of things that we can do better, and we know what those things are," Preds Captain Roman Josi said Friday. "We've got to look ourselves in the mirror and be honest with each other and make sure we correct those things, but there's still a lot of confidence in our group. There's a lot of trust in our group, and we love playing at home. We're excited to be at home. But there's definitely still a lot of confidence, we know what we have to correct and we'll go forward from there tomorrow."
"Bridgestone Arena is a great home ice advantage," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said. "It's certainly going to give our guys a kick. We've been on the road here for a while too. It was four-straight road games and a 10-day road trip where now they're coming home with a little bit of a chance to relax. Then you're getting in your own building, and that does make a big difference, particularly at this time of year. Bridgestone Arena has an unbelievable atmosphere in the regular season, but times that by two going into the postseason and that's something that certainly our players feed off of."
Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon returned to the lineup Thursday evening from his lower-body injury and took the place of Matt Benning. Forward Eeli Tolvanen made his series debut in place of Philip Tomasino. Defensemen Ben Harpur and Philippe Myers, as well as forward Matt Luff, were also scratched for the Preds in Game 2. Goaltender Juuse Saros missed his second game of the playoffs - and fourth-straight overall - with a lower-body injury.
Hynes said Friday Saros will not be available for Game 3, and as of Friday afternoon, the Predators were still evaluating all other lineup decisions.

The Good Guys:

Yakov Trenin was the lone Preds skater to score in Game 2 as he found the back of the net in the first period against the Avalanche. Ingram got his first NHL postseason start and made 49 saves in the effort that ultimately resulted in the loss. Preds defenseman Josi and Alexandre Carrier each recorded an assist on Trenin's goal.
Matt Duchene scored two goals in Game 1, and Mikael Granlund has a pair of assists through two games. Ingram has appeared in both postseason games for the Preds and has a .952 save percentage.

The Opposition:

Two separate Avalanche skaters found the back of the net Thursday evening; Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon scored in the first period and defenseman Cale Makar tallied in overtime to clinch Game 2's matchup over the Preds. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper got the start and made 25 saves to earn his second win of the series.

Game 2 Notables:

Nashville moved to 9-13 all-time in Game 2 (3-11 on the road). The Predators now trail a Stanley Cup Playoff series 0-2 for the seventh time in franchise history (0-6 in the previous six series). Nashville's all-time playoff overtime record dropped to 10-13 (3-8 on the road). The Predators dished out 57 hits, bringing their combined total from Games 1-2 to 116.
Trenin scored his first goal of the playoffs; he has three goals in his last four postseason games. Josi and Carrier assisted on Trenin's goal, giving them their first points of the playoffs. Jeremy Lauzon returned from a lower-body injury for his first game since April 16 vs. Chicago.

Watch & Listen:

Coverage for Game 3 from Bridgestone Arena begins at 3 p.m. CT with the Predators Live! pregame show on Bally Sports South. Willy Daunic, Chris Mason, Lyndsay Rowley, Terry Crisp and Kara Hammer have the call on the television side, while Pete Weber and Hal Gill will broadcast on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame coverage on the radio begins at 2;30 p.m. Today's game may also be seen nationally on TNT and on Sportsnet 360 in Canada.