NHL playoffs 2017: Ducks vs. Predators preview and prediction

In a series no one expected to see as the Western Conference finals, the Ducks and Predators will battle for a spot in the Stanley Cup finals.

When you looked at the bracket to start the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, you can’t say you expected to see the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators as the last two teams remaining in the Western Conference.

Regardless, here we are, about to begin the conference finals, and the Predators are the hottest team in the postseason and the Ducks actually won a Game 7.

The Predators finished off the St. Louis Blues in six games with relative ease, and are on a true hot streak right now. They’re getting scoring from all areas of their game, specifically their stellar defense, and Pekka Rinne has been a star in net for Nashville.

On the other side, the Ducks survived a tough series with the up and coming Edmonton Oilers, putting on a great performance in a 2-1 Game 7 win at home to finish off the series.

The two teams provide a unique matchup, with the Ducks holding the advantage as far as offensive personnel goes but the Predators having a higher scoring defensive unit. Rinne is dominating far more in net than the Ducks’ John Gibson, as Rinne holds an 8-2 record this postseason with a 1.37 goals allowed average while Gibson is 7-3 with a 2.80 goals allowed average.

The Ducks have the experience in a big spot like this. They were in the conference finals just two years ago back in 2015, a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, and at least have Stanley Cups on their resume. The Predators, on the other hand, are appearing in their first ever conference finals, and will need to utilize their momentum to overcome their inexperience on the big stage.

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Prediction: Predators win in seven games

The Predators are just absolutely on fire right now, and it’s tough to see them losing this series, even without home ice advantage. They’ve lost just twice in the postseason, both times against the Blues in the conference semifinals. They’re rested, and their hot streak and hotter goaltending should be enough to outweigh their inexperience, enough to see them advancing in seven games.