Gritty Nashville Predators Top Ducks to Grab Series Lead

The upstart Nashville Predators are now one game away from the Stanley Cup finals.

The lowest seed in the Western Conference continued their amazing run through the NHL playoffs with a clutch win on Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

The battered Predators were able to overcome the loss of both leading scorer Ryan Johansen and captain Mike Fisher to eke out a 3-1 win in a front of a hostile crowd at Honda Arena.

The Ducks struck first with a wrist shot by Chris Wagner at just over midway through the second. It would be the only goal allowed by Pekka Rinne who was once again superb in goal for the Predators.

Rinne stopped 32 shots – many in spectacular fashion – as he continued to show that he is one of the biggest reasons for the Predators historic run.

Ducks staring goalie John Gibson was injured during the first period and ceded the net to backup Jonathan Bernier for the remainder of the game. Bernier was good but not good enough.

Nashville answered back with a power play goal in the waning minutes of the second by winger Colin Wilson.

The Predators continued to put on the heat and broke through with a nice goal off a rebound by Pontus Aberg. It was the first playoff goal for the young Swede who had assumed a more prominent role due to the injuries that have piled up.

Aberg’s goal came with just under nine minutes remaining. The Predators then held off the Ducks – who had injury issues of their own – and clinched it with a long shot into the empty net after Anaheim had pulled their goalie.

The Predators now head back home where they can close out the series and advance to the first Stanley Cup finals in their history.

Game six will take place on Monday night at 8 pm ET.