Nashville Predators' expected lineup for Game 3 vs Vancouver Canucks
As the Nashville Predators prepare for Game 3 against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, coach Andrew Brunette knows there's improvements needed in order to seize control of the series.
After a 12-second collapse allowed the Canucks to take Game 1, the Predators withstood a barrage of shots in a 4-1 win in Game 2. Vancouver dominated puck possession in the first two games, something Brunette acknowledged will have to change as the series moves to Nashville.
"There's things we could do a little better," Brunette said Friday. "Our puck play wasn't at a premium. I don't think we gave ourselves a chance to get to our identity, get to the forecheck, take away time and space."
The Predators managed only 38 shots in the first two games, but the Canucks haven't fared much better at 39. Nashville's defense was stellar in Game 2, blocking 30 shots, and stealing a game Vancouver likely deserved to win.
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The Canucks are still reeling after the loss of goaltender Thatcher Demko to an injury, something that may have opened the door for the Predators to take the series, but the Predators aren't going to be handed anything.
On Thursday, Brunette described the first two games as "muddy," with neither side able to do much with the puck in space. Physical, defensive, and a lot of "commitment to the pain" on both sides.
"It's just going to be that kind of hockey," Brunette said.
The best-of-7 series resumes with Game 3 on Friday (6:30 p.m., TBS, Bally Sports South) at Bridgestone Arena. The series is tied 1-1.
Nashville Predators expected lineup for Game 3 vs Vancouver Canucks
While Brunette's strategy on how the Predators open up the game are unclear, a lineup change does not appear to be part of it. At morning skate on Friday, there were no changes to the lineup from Games 1 and 2.
Here's the most likely lineup for Nashville against Vancouver tonight:
Forwards
Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly - Gustav Nyquist
Mark Jankowski - Tommy Novak - Luke Evangelista
Anthony Beauvillier - Colton Sissons - Jason Zucker
Cole Smith - Michael McCarron - Kiefer Sherwood
Defense
Ryan McDonagh - Roman Josi
Jeremy Lauzon - Alex Carrier
Spencer Stastney - Luke Schenn
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros
Kevin Lankinen
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators' expected lineup for Game 3 vs Vancouver Canucks
