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Pekka Rinne, Mike Fisher help Predators dismantle Ducks 4-1

Pekka Rinne, Bobby Ryan

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, right, blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks right wing Bobby Ryan during the first period of Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, April 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

AP

The Nashville Predators gave up a pretty nice package to acquire two-way center Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators, but they’ll be glad they did it if Mr. Carrie Underwood keeps belting out great tunes. Fisher scored two goals and one assist while Pekka Rinne stopped 27 out of 28 shots to power the Predators to a dominant Game 1 road win against the Anaheim Ducks.

Nashville 4, Anaheim 1; Predators lead 1-0

As red-hot as the Ducks came into the playoffs, the Predators seem like an especially tough matchup for Anaheim. Nashville has strong goaltending, a stingy defense and a nice group of low-profile, versatile forwards.

Even if this win was somewhat predictable, the actual one-sided nature of the outcome was a bit startling.

Shea Weber began the scoring, Steve Sullivan made it 2-0 and then Fisher took over with two more goals. Teemu Selanne did what he does best by scoring on the power play midway through the third period, but by then it was just about preserving some dignity.

Dan Ellis had a rough game against his former team, getting pulled early in the third period after allowing four goals on only 24 shots. Ray Emery actually filled in for Ellis, stopping all six shots in relief. Is this a sign Emery could step in full-time if needed?

Rinne didn’t get a shutout like Marc-Andre Fleury or Roberto Luongo tonight, but he was still impressive against the Ducks. It was a relatively “easy” win for Nashville, but chances are good that they haven’t seen the best of Anaheim just yet.