NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Anaheim Ducks came out in the third period gunning to tie their series with the Predators. Nashville had none of the necessary answers to the Ducks’ efforts. Corey Perry broke a 3-3 at 1:17 of the period leading the Ducks to the win and series tie.
The Ducks stormed back into the series after being badly outplayed in game three in Nashville. Anaheim needed a good effort without Bobby Ryan who was serving the second game of his two-game suspension for his actions in game two in Anaheim.
The Predators were a bit tentative in the first as their early defensive zone clearing attempts were poorly executed leading to an early 2-0 Ducks lead.
The Ducks’ continued pressure led to Pekka Rinne’s removal from the Preds’ net in the third. The rookie was unable to keep Nashville competitive in the third period and yielded the crease to rookie Anders Lindback.
Perry’s shorthanded goal, the Ducks’ third special teams goal of the night, put Anaheim ahead to stay. Perry converted a two on two rush up ice and beat Rinne with a backhand shot to the glove side. The backbreaker in the game came when Ryan Getzlaf made it 5-3 on a delayed penalty call 2:34 later. Getzlaf made time and space available for him to take a shot from the left circle and beat Rinne. Brandon McMillan iced the game with he beat Rinne on a breakaway at 6:46.
Anaheim never trailed in the game though the Predators were able to challenge the Ducks until the third period.
The series now heads back to Anaheim where the Ducks regain the services of Ryan from his suspension.
Temmu Selanne scored his league-leading fifth playoff goal
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
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