Predators 4, Ducks 3 (OT)
Jerred Smithson's goal 1:57 into overtime lifted Nashville past host Anaheim 4-3 Friday in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
With the Predators applying extended pressure on the Ducks, Jordin Tootoo centered a pass from behind the net to a wide-open Smithson, who slapped a one-timer past Ducks netminder Ray Emery for his first goal since Jan. 15.
Kevin Klein, Joel Ward and Shea Weber added goals for the Predators, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can wrap things up with a home victory Sunday in Game 6. Jason Blake scored twice and Bobby Ryan added a single for Anaheim.
With the Ducks up 3-2 and on the precipice of taking the series lead, Weber silenced the Honda Center crowd with just 35.3 seconds remaining. As Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne sat on the bench for an extra attacker, Weber's blast through a crowd eluded Ducks goaltender Ray Emery to force extra time.
Klein gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 8:32 of the opening period, converting a Tootoo pass on a Nashville 2-on-1 break. Blake evened things up on a power play at 13:39 of the second, banging a rebound past Rinne.
Ryan, playing his first game back following a two-game suspension for stomping on an opponent's foot with his skate, put the Ducks ahead with a highlight-reel marker 40 seconds into the third. He gathered a loose puck at the red line and deked around David Legwand twice, causing the Predators forward to lose his stick. Ryan then switched from forehand to backhand before beating Rinne on the blocker side.
After Ward drew Nashville even at 11:20, Blake restored Anaheim's lead at 14:16 with a big assist from Teemu Selanne. Having fallen to the ice behind the net, Selanne centered the puck from his back and it caromed directly to Blake, who beat Rinne from in close.