THREE MUSINGS:
Defensive Communictation -- Nashville's communication in the defensive zone has been markedly better tonight than earlier in the series. It has helped the Preds pick up the trailing man and the backdoor cuts better tonight than they did in Games 1 and 2. As a result, the Preds have been in better position tonight to win the races for loose pucks in the defensive zone and are limiting sustained zone time for the Phoenix offense.

PKs Winning Out -- The penalty kill units for both teams have had the better of the play during the power-plays tonight. Both teams have had several good shorthanded opportunities. And --- outside of a deflection by Hornqvist seconds into Nashville's first PP --- neither power-play has generated many dangerous scoring opportunities. Although Nashville did show more momentum during their fourth power-play (second of the second period), with strong puck movement, but were unable to generate sustained dangerous opportunities.

Reversal Of Fortune -- The Coyotes made a living in the First Round and first two games of Round 2 by blocking shots in the defensive zone and frustrating opposing offenses. Through the first two periods tonight it's been the Preds who have "out blocked" the Coyotes by a 10-7 margin, adding several other deflections on pass attempts to disrupt puck movement by the Coyotes.