The Anaheim Ducks will look to regain home ice advantage on Sunday afternoon as the battle the Nashville Predators in Game 3 of their first round series at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville took the opener Wednesday night in Anaheim, while the Ducks stormed back for a victory in Game 2 to even the series. Bobby Ryan of the Ducks was suspended for Games 3 and 4 of this series after stepping on the foot of the Preds' Jonathon Blum in Game 2.
As for today's Game 3, the Ducks will look for more of the same from Game 2, and try to take an early lead on Nashville. "They are a grinding team and we knew that they weren't going to lie down," Ducks goalie Ray Emery told NHL.com. "After they made it 4-3, we did a good job of controlling things, getting pucks deep, simplifying things and not giving them much after that."
The folks at Anaheim Calling debated the Ducks' style of play so far this series, and Daniel decided Anaheim should continue to play rough with Nashville, with a twist:
I suppose my final definitive answer is that the Ducks should keep it chippy, but improve their special teams play. They are going to have to do more with fewer PP opportunities, and they need to tighten up on the kill.
Today's 3 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.