Nashville Predators' Biggest Threat in Canucks Series Has Gone Dark

The Vancouver Canucks dominated the Nashville Predators during the regular season, going 3-0-0 with 13 goals for and six against. While that seemed to carry into Game 1 of the series, Game 2 was a different result and the teams are heading back to Nashville with the series tied.

One player in particular controlled the regular season series between the two teams, and that was Elias Pettersson. Fortunately for the Predators, he has done next to nothing in the postseason so far and hasn't been the difference maker he was in the three regular season wins.

Pettersson scored four goals and five points in three games against the Predators while also recording 12 shots, three hits, a blocked shot, and was a +3. Of those four goals, three of them came in one game for a hat trick as well.

Related: Watch: Predators Return to Nashville for Games 3 & 4

The only time Pettersson has really been seen in the two postseason games against the Predators is when he had an open net and missed in Game 2. Other than that, he has no points, is a -4, and has only recorded two shots. He averaged four shots-per-game this season against Nashville before this series.

Pettersson has proven to be elite, recording 100 points last season and once again finishing with over a point-per-game in the regular season. The Predators have a shot when one of the best players on the Canucks is nearly invisible.

Even though Pettersson has gone from being a big impact player against the Predators to a ghost in the series, it is important to note that Nashville has also nearly shut down J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser as well.

Both of these talented top players on the Canucks didn't do as well as Pettersson in the regular season against the Predators, but are still threats every time they are on the ice.

They had one goal and three points in six combined regular season games. In 42:08 of ice time in the two playoff games so far, Miller has one assist, three shots, six hits, and is a +1. Boeser has done even less through 42:19 of ice time, recording one assist, two shots, and one block.

The Predators should continue to do well against the Canucks if they can hold these three major contributors in check as they have.

Recent Predators News

Saros' Timely Turnaround Comes at Perfect Time With Update on Demko's Injury Timeline

Predators Display Heightened Defensive Effort in 4-1 Win vs. Canucks in Game 2

Predators Enter 2024 Playoffs With 10th Best Stanley Cup Odds

3 Ex-Predators Defensive Draft Picks Primed for Key Playoff Roles

Related: Nashville Predators Proven Success: Haven't Had Losing Season in Over a Decade, Claim Top-5 Ranking