Ducks 2 - 4 Predators
Final
  for this game

Preds aim to win first playoff series in Game 6 vs. Ducks

Apr 24, 2011 - 2:59 PM (Sports Network) - A comeback victory in the last contest has the Nashville Predators just one win away from winning a playoff series for the first time in franchise history.

The Predators hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals and can finally reach the second round when they host the Anaheim Ducks in tonight's Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena in the Music City.

Nashville, which entered the NHL as an expansion club in 1998, had never even claimed three games in a postseason series until pulling out a thrilling overtime win in Friday's game in Anaheim.

Shea Weber tied the game for Nashville with 35.3 seconds left in regulation and Jerred Smithson won it 1:57 into overtime to give the Preds a crucial 4-3 victory in Game 5.

In the final minute of regulation with Pekka Rinne on the bench, a left-circle faceoff in the Anaheim end was won by Mike Fisher. The puck went back to the right side for Cody Franson, who sent it over to the left, where Weber's successful one-timer forced a fourth period.

Then, in the extra session, Nick Spaling kept the puck in at the left point and sent it down low for Jordin Tootoo, who threw it to the front where a streaking Smithson one-timed it home.

"We came in here believing," said Smithson. "We battled hard all game. We fell behind a few times but we stuck with it. Once you get into overtime, it's going to take those second and third efforts. Great play by Tootoo and my linemates. I just had to get it off as quick as I could and it found the back of the net."

Kevin Klein and Joel Ward also had goals for the Predators, while Rinne, who was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy earlier on Friday, stopped 23 shots in the win.

"We've taken two wins out of this building and I think that's well done," said Rinne. "Now it's time to finish up at home. We just have to keep improving our game, and I think we've been doing that, for the most part. This is a good game for us, bouncing back from the last game in which we didn't play well."

Jason Blake scored twice while Bobby Ryan, who missed the previous two games due to a suspension, notched the other goal for the Ducks, who got two assists from Saku Koivu. Ray Emery made 33 saves in the setback.

"We have our back up against the wall and a lot of times that brings out the best in guys," said Emery. "We are going into their building and know they come hard there. We have to be at our best and give it everything. We have one shot at it and have to take it."

Nashville has never won the sixth game of a series, while the Ducks have an all-time mark of 7-1 in Game 6s. Anaheim will host Game 7 on Tuesday if it can get a win today.

The Ducks will get pesky forward Jarkko Ruutu back tonight after he served one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Nashville's Martin Erat. Erat, meanwhile, could miss his second straight game tonight with an upper body injury suffered on the hit.

Erat, who was tied for the team lead with 50 points during the regular season, is questionable for this evening.

The Predators had an excellent 24-9-8 mark as the home team this season, while Anaheim was 21-17-3 on the road.

Nashville and Anaheim are meeting for the first time in the postseason.






Related News