NHL playoffs 2017: Updated bracket after Ducks beat Oilers

The Ducks broke their Game 7 woes with a win over the Oilers at home, and advanced to the Western Conference finals to play the Predators.

The Anaheim Ducks looked as if they were about to suffer the same fate they went through the last four seasons: a Game 7 loss to end their run in the postseason.

They fell behind the Edmonton Oilers early on in the first period on an unlucky goal from Drake Caggiula, and things looked like they were heading south right away for the Ducks. They had lost a home Game 7 to end their season in four straight years, and hadn’t held a lead in the last game of any of those series.

They reversed their bad fortune with a 2-1 win at home, and the hometown crowd went nuts for their team, finally experiencing a Game 7 win.

Nick Ritchie’s goal in the third period proved to be the game-winner, after the team’s were tied going into the game’s final frame.

The team advances to play the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference finals, who won their series against the St. Louis Blues in six games after sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round. On the other side, the Eastern Conference finals matchup is set, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators battling for their conference’s spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Here’s the updated bracket with all of the conference semifinals officially wrapped up:

The Western Conference matchup provides some fresh blood for the conference, with the Predators making their first appearance in franchise history and the Ducks advancing for the first time since 2015, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.

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The Ducks will hope to ride their momentum toward their battle with the Predators, who are currently on a hot streak themselves. Meanwhile, the Senators will look to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.