Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators Game 6

NHL Western Conference Finals Game 6 Preview

The Predators have eked by the Ducks for most of the series thanks to having some difficulties scoring beyond their top line. When news that leading scorer Ryan Johansen would miss the remainder of the series, it felt like an even bigger blow but the Predators found new offense when their role players began contributing and edged the Ducks again despite giving up the first goal. The Ducks lost John Gibson after the first and it could have been the turning point. It's gut check time as they look to stave elimination in Nashville. 

The Ducks find themselves trailing the Predators again as history seems eager to repeat. Despite scoring first, the Ducks really missed top-scorer Rickard Rakell (out to injury) and couldn't find a way to generate more offense and fell to the Predators. Captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf was held pointless for the fourth time having just three assists in the whole series (all in game 2). Losing John Gibson was a huge blow as he was having his best run this postseason posting a .939 save percent against over 36 shots a game.

Losing John Gibson was a huge blow as he was having his best run this postseason posting a .939 save percent against over 36 shots a game. Anaheim managed to outshoot the Predators and play a closer game with more scoring opportunities including four powerplays but couldn't convert. Pekka Rinne stuffed all but one of 33 shots from the Ducks as Anaheim must now find a way to get their offense going and players like Ryan Kesler (one point in the series) needs to contribute more offensively if they are to overcome stay alive.

Nashville finds themselves one win away from making history: their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. The Predators overcame the losses of top scorer Ryan Johansen and captain Mike Fisher and defeated the Ducks. Filip Forsberg got on the scoresheet for the fifth straight time but key goals from Colin Wilson and Pontus Aberg led them to victory. Defensemen P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm recorded their eight assists as Nashville's defense continue to facilitate the offense.

Aberg spent most his time on the bench only playing in nine postseason games with a point. Forsberg took a shot at Bernier and Aberg capitalized on the juicy rebound by crashing the net and scoring on a highlight-reel goal. The Preds shocked the world by sweeping the Blackhawks in the first round and being 6-1 at home is a big reason. The Ducks, however, are 5-2 on the road and won the last game in Nashville. The Preds will continue leaning on a by-committee scoring with three active players: Fosberg, Wilson, and Jame Neal all tied for franchise postseason goal-scoring leaders. 

Ducks at Predators Prediction

While the Ducks are 3-1 following a loss this postseason, they're in an uphill battle against Nashville. Both teams will still miss their top scorers but Nashville's defense will continue to anchor the team as their speedy forwards keep the Ducks backpedaling. The return of John Gibson will be huge for Anaheim and he will need to stand on his head again if they are to steal another game in Nashville. At -135 in most sportsbooks, the Predators are a solid bet to close out the series.

Nashville Predators (-135) SportsInteraction

Category : Online Betting News

Tag : Ducks , nhl playoffs , Predators , stanley cup

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