Nashville Predators beat Ducks 6-3, head to Stanley Cup Final

Joki, a former Chicago Blackhawks fan, said that’s pretty typical secondary market pricing, especially for a city that has never hosted a Stanley Cup Final. They have just been less than predictable.

Everyone knew the Nashville vs. Anaheim Ducks series would be a grinding affair focused on defense and the imposing of wills.

How can you not LOVE this team. From the opening face-off, the intensity was palpable.

Sissons led the rush as the five Ducks players converged on the puck. Bernier was the victim of a fluke deflection on Nashville’s first goal but couldn’t give his teammates a boost by making a game-changing save.

The Penguins have survived behind the brilliance of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, head coach Mike Sullivan’s impeccable decisions and a resilience that has them one game from being the first Cup champion to return to the Finals since Detroit in 2009.

Filip Forsberg tied it up at 3:54 of the third as the Predators rallied for the win against an Anaheim team that has notched four comeback victories already when trailing by multiple goals this postseason. Despite finishing the first period with only four shots, being outshot 12-4, the Predators were in control where it counted. Instead, the Predators displayed their resilience one more time, byputting Anaheim away. Of course the Predators scored twice during that time, forcing overtime.

Anaheim Ducks right wing Ondrej Kase (86), of the Czech Republic, shoots the puck past Nashville Predators defenseman Matt Irwin (52) for a goal during the second period in Game 6 of the Western Conference final in the National Hockey League hock. He pulled off a “hat trick” first on the third shot of the game, then two more in a insane third period. The Ducks weren’t faring any better. Ironically the Ducks killed off the major penalty with a flourish and actually dominated play the rest of the night. However, things went dry from there.

One player who stands out more than any other for the Nashville Predators during this postseason is goaltender Pekka Rinne. If Ottawa advances, they will have three more playoff contests under their belt, a highly relevant consideration when you consider how taxing this run has been for Erik Karlsson.

Over in the Pittsburgh-Ottawa series, the story has been the same – unexpected outcomes. Not sweeping the Blackhawks could have made for a very different series.

“What solidified it for me was after I had a conversation with David Poile and Lavvy and how they embraced me and just wanted me to do my job and be an important part in helping this team to win”, said Subban, who has two goals and 10 points in the playoffs. He ended the playoffs with 54.2 CF% and was on the ice for 19 goals for and seven against during 5-on-5 play.

May 22: Predators bounce the Ducks with a 6-3 win in Game 6. They won the series. The Penguins now hold a 3-2 lead in that series, which resumes on Tuesday night in Ottawa. The Pens completely dominated the Senators and looked to be in control once again.

But now, the Penguins control their own destiny. Three goals on the road, you should be able to win. Game 7 will be played tonight. “We got a well rounded group”. Either way, the matchup is compelling.

Pushing an up-tempo brand of hockey, Laviolette got Nashville back into the playoffs in his first season, into the second round in his second and into the first conference and Cup final for the franchise this spring.