As I blow the gold towel lint off my keyboard from Game Three I am also just digesting thoughts from Monday’s practice at Centennial Sportsplex.

First of all, I loved our fan response in Game Three. The towels were flying and everyone brought the “A” game intensity level. It was great! Keep that going for Game Four on Wednesday!

Second, I like that the Predators still don’t feel as if they’ve played the best they can. There is an understanding that mistakes were made, efforts need to be doubled, and things are only going to get more difficult from here on in. I feel like this Nashville team still has another level or two in front of it yet as far as effort and execution.

Now I’m going off on a tangent about Bob Murray (Anaheim’s GM) talking about diving in the series, to the point where he is now suggesting perhaps his players should dive. Some are saying this is tongue-in-cheek, others are saying it might be more serious. What he’s clearly trying to do is bring attention to his team and curry favor and sympathy from the NHL on-ice officials. Do I buy into Murray’s claims of diving? No. I’ve been watching this series the whole time and I haven’t really materialized thoughts of one side getting battered by the officials any more than the other. But what will upset me is if the games are suddenly tilted towards the Ducks’ side of the ice from this whine. There’s always the slight possibility it could backfire against the Ducks too.

There is plenty to pick on from both sides that hasn’t been called, whether it’s the slew foot by Marchant on Ward during the Preds’ fourth goal (watch the replay as Ward has his leg kicked out by Marchant – and he never saw him coming) and Corey Perry spearing Pekka Rinne in a rather sensitive lower body area (Erat’s getting a butt end in the teeth… I could go on). So before Murray decides all the calls have gone against his team, they’re no (Anaheim) angels either. Plain and simple, the Predators have outplayed the Ducks two of the first three and have won accordingly.

That said this series isn’t over yet and there is plenty of hockey left. How will Murray’s rant affect Game Four? We’ll find out Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena! Don’t forget – special 7:30 pm CST start time.

Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.