NASHVILLE – It was a bold move by Predators coach Peter Laviolette, but it paid off in the form of a 4-1 win in Game 3 of their second round series with the Sharks on Tuesday.
Mike Ribeiro, Nashville’s second line center, was a healthy scratch after scoring 50 points in 81 games in the regular season. The 36-year-old had struggled in the playoffs, though, with just one assist and a minus-three rating in nine games. In games one and two against San Jose, Ribeiro was scoreless with three shots on goal. In 64 career playoff games, he has 33 points (7g, 26a).