tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Predators Stave Off Elimination…Red Wings Next??

While the Eastern Conference semi-finalists, Tampa Bay and Boston, await the start of their series, the Western Conference quarter finals still roll on.  Last night, the Nashville Predators staved off elimination by overcoming a 2-1 deficit and winning in Vancouver 4-3 to bring the series back to Nashville for Game 6.

It may be unrealistic that the Predators will be able to knock off the Canucks but you have to be impressed with the heart and soul of a team devoid of superstars.  Coach Barry Trotz deserves a lot of credit.  Year in and year out this team is always competitive.  Pekka Rinne has been solid in net and has been a force all year for the Preds.  And GM David Poile has done a great job building a team on a budget.  The late season acquisition of Mike Fisher has worked out well.  Here's hoping the Preds can push a Game 7 by giving their fans a win at home in Game 6.

In the other series, it seems hard to believe that the Red Wings are on the verge of being eliminated by the Sharks 4-1.  However, one has to truly wonder how good the Red Wings really are.  I had the opportunity to see the Red Wings in person this season and while Pavel Datsyuk was not in the lineup, I was not impressed.  I also watched Game 2 last Sunday and was again not impressed.

While one would think the Red Wings will send this one back to Detroit, it wouldn't surprise me if the Sharks end the series this evening.  They are the better team.  One has to wonder if the Red Wing dominance is over.  Should be interesting.