This Nashville Predators - Anaheim Ducks series has been testy and tightly matched, so it only makes sense that it will go the distance.
The Predators won their first home game of the series by a score of 3-1 to force a Game 7 against the Ducks on Wednesday.
One key difference for Nashville: they managed to protect a lead after seeing some squandered edges in previous games (not to mention the 2-0 series lead that dissolved into a 3-2 deficit that really doesn’t matter right now).
Another big one: Pekka Rinne rebounded with some big saves, stopping 26 of 27.
Pekka Rinne (@PredsNHL) improved to 17-6-2 in his last 26 appearances dating to Feb. 18 (reg. season and playoffs). pic.twitter.com/OgIg6UvQwQ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 26, 2016
Getzlaf: "They were fighting for their lives. We didn't do a good job of getting in front of Pekka. He saw too many pucks."
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 26, 2016
It was a tight game. The two teams combined for just 52 shots on goal and penalties were sparse. That doesn’t mean there was no controversy, as Predators fans were not happy about the call that helped the Ducks score on the power play.
This is what we talked about the past couple games, right? Garbage call results in a goal? Yes. But how do #Preds respond? We'll see.
— なぎ裏垢女子 (@govertime) April 26, 2016
This series has been back-and-forth with the growing distaste building between the two teams being one of the most consistent storylines. If the previous six contests are any indication, expect a close one on Wednesday.
One secret “winner” beyond fans of the sport as a whole?
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 26, 2016