STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RECAP MAY 22 2017
PREDATORS CLINCH FIRST-EVER BERTH IN STANLEY CUP FINAL
The Ducks erased a 3-1 deficit in the third period, but Colton Sissons scored the go-ahead goal and completed his hat trick with 6:00 remaining in regulation to lift the Predators to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. Nashville, which began play in 1998-99 and is competing in the postseason for the 10th time, had recorded three series wins prior to the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (3-9).
The Predators, who ranked 16th in NHL’s regular-season standings and qualified for the postseason as the second Wild Card team in the Western Conference (41-29-12, 94 points), became the third club seeded lowest in its conference to advance to the Stanley Cup Final since the League adopted the conference-based playoff format in 1994. The others: the 2006 Oilers (4-3 L vs. CAR) and 2012 Kings (4-2 W vs. NJD).
The Predators next will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Penguins and Senators. Only one player on Nashville’s roster has previously appeared in a Stanley Cup Final game: Mike Fisher, who collected 2-2—4 with Ottawa in 2007 vs. ANA (5 GP).
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF MUSINGS
- The Predators improved to 3-0 in three all-time playoff series vs. ANA (also 2011 CQF: 4-2 W and 2016 FR: 4-3 W)
- Renowned Canadian artist Tony Harris unveiled portraits of Jacques Lemaire and Gilbert Perreault as part of the NHL Centennial Celebration
- Country music star Trisha Yearwood sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George rallied the crowd prior to Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena
- Thousands of fans watched Nashville’s series-clinching win outside the arena.
MONDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RESULT
Home Team in Caps
NASHVILLE 6, Anaheim 3 – NSH wins 4-2
SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF ACTION
All Times Eastern
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa, PIT leads 3-2, 8 p.m.
STANLEY CUP FINALS SCHEDULE