Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators: Game 2 prediction

Who comes out on top in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators? 

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks will be held at the Honda Center on Sunday May 14. The puck is expected to drop around 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. After a Game 1 win in overtime, the Predators are looking to continue their magical postseason by taking a 2-0 lead over the Ducks.

Anaheim is looking to avoid being down 2-0 in the series going into Nashville. They got goals from Jakob Silfverberg and Hampus Lindholm in Game 1. However, the Ducks put just 29 shots on goal while allowing the Predators to get 46. They’ll have to play much better in Game 2 if they want to avoid the 2-0 deficit. John Gibson did a great job on Friday, saving 43 of 46 shots on goal. Ryan Getzlaf got four shots on goal and four hits, but also finished with a -1 plus-minus rating.

On the other side of the ice, the Predators are still riding a tidal wave of momentum. They got goals from Filip Forsberg, Austin Watson and James Neal, who got the overtime winner. Mattias Eklhom got two assists, both of them secondary. Ryan Johansen also got two assists, one of them primary and the other a secondary. Pekka Rinne got 24 saves on 26 shots on goal.

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Prediction

Nashville was clearly the better team in Game 1. They dictated the pace of the game and the Ducks are kind of lucky the Predators didn’t win it in regulation. Anaheim has some work to do if they want to avoid a 2-0 deficit. If they don’t improve, Gibson will have to be outstanding in net to give his team a chance. Nashville must continue to play at a high level, as they’ll be facing a desperate Ducks squad.

Predators beat Ducks 3-1