The Anaheim Ducks are in serious need of a road split to keep this series alive, and so far in Game 4, they're in the driver's seat to make that happen. They lead the Nashville Predators by a score of 2-1 after the first period, thanks to a couple of quick, back to back goals early in the first period
Ducks Vs. Predators, Game 4: Anaheim Leads After First Period
Anaheim scored their first goal on the power play, with Cam Fowler getting the credit. A bad Shane O'Brien boarding penalty set up the power play for the Ducks, and they took advantage with some very good cycling and screening. Both Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf got into position to screen Pekka Rinne, giving him little chance to make a stop on Fowler's wrist shot from just outside the left circle.
Less than a minute after the goal, the Ducks doubled their lead with a full strength goal. Jason Blake created the chance with a shot on goal, and Sakku Koivu tapped in the goal off of Rinne's rebound. The Preds would pull one goal back, though, when Patrick Hornqvist scored a full strength goal only 30 seconds later, assisted by Andrei Kostitsyn and Shea Weber.
Most things have been even so far, and the teams should both feel fortunate that they haven’t had more goals scored on them thus far. Nashville committed three penalties to Anaheim’s one in the first period, so if they can stay out of the box, there’s no reason to believe they can’t get right back into the game at home.
For more on this game, Predators fans should head to On The Forecheck, and Ducks fans should check out Anaheim Calling.
See More:
