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Schedule, opponent turns postseason into grinding challenge

Nashville Predators players congratulate goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, after beating the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoff series Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Sharks lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Nashville Predators players congratulate goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, after beating the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoff series Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Sharks lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Nashville Predators players congratulate goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, after beating the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoff series Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Sharks lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

By Associated Press 5 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Nashville Predators have settled into quite a rhythm in the postseason. Game, off day. Rinse and repeat now for three weeks and counting.

That’s what happens after pushing – and winning – a first-round series in seven games.

The Predators will play their 11th game in 21 days Thursday night against San Jose in Game 4 of their second-round series. St. Louis also went seven games against Chicago, though the Blues had a three-day break before starting their series with Dallas.

The Predators also have the added twist of their second straight series with a California team after knocking off Anaheim. That turns days when the series switches cities into travel days featuring long flights between time zones. Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said Wednesday that it has been quite a grind.

“We really haven’t practiced in a long time,” Laviolette said. “I’m not sure that we’ll get to one unless we catch a break for a couple days. Maybe we’ll catch one practice I think before Game 7. But other than that, I think rest trumps everything now. We want to make sure our players have the juice to play.”