*Photo from On the Forecheck*
Series tied 2-2
Even after falling behind in the series 2-0, the Nashville Predators were not going to go down easily. Game 4 showed once again the resilience of Nashville. Luke Kunin scored two goals, including the game winner, Nick Cousins scored the tying goal, and the Predators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes with a 4-3 double overtime win Sunday afternoon.
Nashville center Ryan Johansen said "We did a lot of good things tonight. You've just got to be mentally tough. You've got to stay ultra-focused, and your details got to be very sharp. Since Day One, we've loved the character in our room. The resilience is showing when we need it most. That's our group, and we continue to try and get better and keep moving forward."
Kunin scored for the Predators just 57 seconds into the game, and it was 1-0 early. In the second period, Johansen scored and Nashville took a 2-1 lead. In the 3rd, Nick Cousins tied it at 3-3 3:15 into the 3rd period. With 3:50 left in double overtime, Kunin scored again to make it a 4-3 win for the Predators.
For the Hurricanes, Vincent Trocheck tied the game at 1-1 with 1:57 left in the opening period, with his second goal of the playoffs. In the second period, Brock McGinn tied it at 2-2 with 1:55 left in the second period. McGinn then gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead just 13 seconds into the 3rd period, before the Predators came back to win.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said "I thought we played great. Felt like we had the play most of the game. In overtime, it felt like we were at their end. Eventually, they're going to score if we don't score. We couldn't find a way to get one, but I love the way our guys are playing."
Alex Nedeljkovic once again started for the Hurricanes, and put up a valiant effort, saving 39 of 43 shots to keep Carolina in the game all afternoon, although ultimately getting beat by Kunin in double OT. They now head back home with the series tied at 2-2, with one more trip to Nashville for game 6 guaranteed.
A big reason why the Predators were able to win two games at home and tie the series is goalie Juuse Saros. He stepped up in a big way for Nashville, saving 58 shots out of a whopping 61 that he faced across almost 100 minutes of hockey.
Nashville coach John Hynes had nothing but praise for Saros, saying "Saros puts in the work, but the maturation of the player mentally and emotionally are the big differences now. He's done a really good job, and we're going to need him to continue to do so."
Game 5 of the series is back in North Carolina on Tuesday, with Nedeljkovic and the Hurricanes looking to get back in the win column, and the Predators and Saros trying to stay strong.
Comments
Post a Comment