Predators jump on Ducks, 4-1

ANAHEIM, Calif – But for a loose play in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Predators might well have been the darlings of the post season.   Nashville lost to the eventual Cup Champions but set the stage for a good 2010-2011 season.
 
On Wednesday night, Nashville looked to build on last post season and stop the Anaheim Ducks in the process.  
 
Off a slap shot, Shea Weber put the Preds up early in the first on a power play at 4:13.   Mike Fisher and Ryan Suter assisted.
 
In the second, the Predators built the lead to 3-0 on even strength goals from Steve Sullivan and Fisher.  
 
Fisher notched his third point and second goal of the game less than six minutes into the third and the Ducks were clearly on their heels and looking for answers.  
 
Not until the 11:24 mark of the final period did Anaheim break through when Teemu Selanne scored on the power play from a slap shot.   But by then the scoring was too little, too late for the Ducks.
 
Dan Ellis started in net for the Ducks and yielded four goals on 24 shots before Ray Emery came in to relieve in the third period.   Ellis, while not sharp was the victim of a Predators team looking to make an early statement in game one of the series.   In relief, Emery stopped all six shots he faced.
 
Rookie sensation Pekka Rinne stopped 24 of 25 shots on the night and was cool in net for the Predators.  
 
While the Vancouver Canucks may be the beasts of the NHL’s Western Conference, the Nashville Predators cannot be overlooked and are the dark horse team for Pro Hockey News this season.
 
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com