Predators 4, Ducks 2
Nick Spaling scored twice, including the game winner early in the third period as the Nashville Predators eliminated Anaheim with a 4-2 win over the visiting Ducks in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round series.
The victory moves the Predators into the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, while handing Anaheim a first-round exit for the third time in seven seasons.
Spaling's second goal of the night came exactly two minutes after Nashville had a goal called off due to a high stick. Jordin Tootoo burst in off the wing and fired a shot that Anaheim netminder Ray Emery steered aside. Spaling pounced on the rebound and beat Emery at 4:53 of the third.
David Legwand, the Predators' first-ever draft pick, iced the victory with an empty-netter in the final moments.
Steve Sullivan had the other Nashville goal, while Teemu Selanne and Jason Blake responded in defeat for the Ducks.
After Selanne scored his playoff-leading sixth goal midway through the first - in what could be the 40-year-old's final NHL game - Spaling drew the Predators even in the final minute, whipping a wrist shot past Emery.
Sullivan put Nashville ahead at 3:29 of the second, taking a J.P. Dumont pass and undressing defenseman Francois Beauchemin before putting the puck past Emery. Moments after Emery redeemed himself with a sensational save on a Ryan Suter shot, Blake drew the Ducks even with 1:37 remaining in the period, tipping in a Bobby Ryan shot on an Anaheim power play.
Nashville thought it had taken the lead on a Patric Hornqvist redirection early in the third period, but a video review ruled that Hornqvist's stick was too high.