"Carrie Underwood" "Hearing its Mark Donnelly": NHL fans speculate as Predators keep national anthem singer a secret for Canucks game

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Apr 26, 2024 19:24 GMT

The anticipation is palpable as the Nashville Predators have decided to keep their national anthem singer under wraps for their upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver insider Jeff Paterson shared a tweet that hinted at possible "Nashville star power" gracing the anthem performance.

"Preds keeping the US anthem singer a secret for tonight. Have to guess we’ll be getting some Nashville star power," his tweet read.

NHL fans quickly jumped on the speculation train.

"Per sources, hearing its Mark Donnelly," one fan tweeted.

"One of my country favorites lf I had to guess. Carrie Underwood would be another option I would imagine," another fan tweeted.

The decision to keep the anthem singer a secret has only fueled fans' curiosity. They are excited to know who will take the spotlight.

"Prob Carrie Underwood, she's married to a former NHL player," a fan tweeted.

"I don’t know about the anthem, but I’m hearing Canadian Allie Walker is performing between periods. She actually just moved from Vancouver to Nashville," one fan tweeted,

"Tim McGraw played there last night. Even brought the cup on stage if I heard correctly. So maybe him," one fan tweeted.

"It would be hilarious if they got Chad Brownlee to do it. And he flips the script and reveals his Canucks jersey lol," a fan tweeted.

Nashville Predators secured a 4-1 victory over Vancouver Canucks

The Nashville Predators claimed a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, evening their best-of-seven playoff series at 1-1.

Filip Forsberg shone with a goal and an assist, while Anthony Beauvillier, a former Canuck, also contributed with a goal and an assist. Colton Sissons and Kiefer Sherwood added goals, supported by Juuse Saros's 17 saves in goal.

Nashville coach Andrew Brunette praised his team's commitment to defense, especially their 31 blocked shots. Canucks' defenseman Nikita Zadorov acknowledged the Predators' desperation and willingness to sacrifice.

“They’re super desperate, they’re laying out for every puck, they’re trying to block with their faces. So that’s what maybe we can learn from them in that particular thing, It’s hard to win. I mean, it’s playoff hockey. It’s a long series. There’s no panic in the room,” Nikita Zadorov said

Vancouver faced challenges with All-Star goalie Thatcher Demko sidelined due to injury. Casey DeSmith stepped in and made 12 saves but the team struggled early on. The Canucks failed to capitalize on three power plays in the first period, including a near miss by Elias Pettersson. Both teams went scoreless on the power play throughout the game.

Nashville solidified their lead with goals from Forsberg and Sissons in the second period before Zadorov narrowed the gap for Vancouver. Despite pulling their goalie for an extra attacker, Sherwood sealed the Predators' victory with an empty-net goal late in the third period.