NHL Playoffs 2017: Chris Wagner gives Ducks 1-0 lead in Game 5 (Video)

Chris Wagner scored in the second period of Game 5 to give the Anaheim Ducks a 1-0 lead. 

Without Ryan Johansen, the Nashville Predators are vulnerable. Ergo, winning Game 5 is extremely important for the Anaheim Ducks. After an exciting first period filled with hard hits and dangerous scoring chances, the Ducks finally got one past Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. It came off the stick of Chris Wagner.

Wagner is quite the unlikely scorer for Anaheim, as he had just one goal in 19 playoff games entering Saturday’s game. However, he crashes the net, taking advantage of a generous rebound given up by Rinne. Wagner made sure he paid for it. Jakob Silfverberg continues to be hot for the Ducks, getting the primary assists on the play.

Anaheim continues to get goals in a variety of ways. This one is an example of a gritty goal. It might not be shown on too many highlight reels, but goals like these count the same as pretty ones. Wagner scored his first career playoff goal (also his first playoff point) earlier in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Predators are playing fairly well without their top center Johansen. They’re always without captain Mike Fisher, with an undisclosed injury. Nashville was keeping it scoreless until Rinne’s huge mistake. The Ducks have been very good at taking advantage of his mistakes, often going to his blocker side than his glove.

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Despite losing starting goaltender John Gibson after the first period, Anaheim appears to be in control of Game 5. Jonathan Bernier is filling in adequately for him. Gibson was taken out of the game for unknown reasons. But if the Ducks keep playing stellar defense and keep putting pucks in the net, they should be good to go no matter who’s in the net.