Anaheim Ducks v.s. Nashville Predators 2011 Western Conference Quarter Finals Prediction

Anaheim Ducks (4) v.s. Nashville Predators (5)

This series is rather interesting and going to be very exciting to watch, well for me at least. You’re basically going to see one team try to rush the puck up the ice while the other team continues to dump and chase wearing out the rushing team.

The Ducks can score goals that’s with-out a doubt and are undoubtedly one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. Corey Perry was the only player to hit the 50 goal mark this season and did it on the final game of the season by getting a hat trick.

But what about the Ducks pucking goalie situation?

Jonas Hiller, Dan Ellis and Ray Emery all have struggled with injuries all season long. Who do they turn to, who keeps this team going? It’s expected that Dan Ellis will start the first game with Hiller backing him up. With that said, all bets on the Ducks have to be taken off. Dan Ellis will be facing his former team, which makes me believe the Predators will tear him apart knowing how he operates in net.

As for the Predators, don’t expect them to score many goals. They are a very good defensive minded team and what team isn’t when you have a guy like Shea Weber on the back end?

They will most likely dump and chase the puck every game all game long and take chances on the power play. This team does not have much playoff experience so expect them to take some risks and play loose with nothing to lose.

The Predators ranked 2^nd in the league in goals against this season and I believe with their pesky style of play, they can really ware down the Ducks. They were 3-1 against the Ducks this season, and although that does not mean anything in the playoffs it still has to be accounted for.

Look for a low scoring grinding out type series which falls right into the Predators plans to frustrate the Ducks.

Prediction: Nashville Predators to win the series in 7 games.