NHL playoffs 2017: Predators defeat Ducks to advance to first Stanley Cup Final

Andy Wittry

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NHL playoffs 2017: Predators defeat Ducks to advance to first Stanley Cup Final image

It took 18 years but the Predators have finally advanced to the NHL's biggest stage: the Stanley Cup Final.

Nashville clinched a series victory in the Western Conference finals with a 6-3 win in Game 6 over Anaheim. Fittingly, tyhe Preds did it at home in Bridgestone Arena in front of a raucous crowd.

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After a nearly heroic comeback attempt by the Ducks, who scored twice to tie the game 3-3 in the third period, Nashville scored the game's final three goals to secure the win. Anaheim pulled goalie Jonathan Bernier twice in the game's waning minutes to put an extra skater on the ice, but both times the Predators made the Ducks pay with an empty-net goal. 

Nashville center Colton Sissons was the surprise hero of Game 6 with a hat trick, and left winger Austin Watson added a pair of goals. The Predators were efficient on offense, scoring six goals on 18 shots, and played mostly stifling defense on the other end of the ice.

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Pekka Rinne was generally outstanding in net for the Predators, saving 38 of the 41 shots he faced. 

The Predators will face the Penguins or the Senators in the Stanley Cup Final, which will begin May 29. Pittsburgh leads Ottawa in the Eastern Conference finals three games to two. Game 6 is Tuesday in Ottawa. 

GAME CENTER: Predators-Ducks Game 6 stats

Scroll down for highlights from Monday's Ducks vs. Predators Game 6:

NHL playoffs 2017: Ducks vs. Predators Game 6 highlights

Predators 6, Ducks 3

10:55 p.m.: The Predators have done it! The final buzzer sounds and Nashville advances to its first Stanley Cup final in franchise history after a 6-3 win in Game 6. 

10:54 p.m.:  Play stops with 6.7 seconds left as a Ducks skater delivers a cheap shot to the back of a Predators player. Kevin Bieska heads to the locker room early. 

10:53 p.m.: How impressive was Nashville's efficiency tonight? Six goals on 18 shots. 

10:50 p.m.: This one's over. Another empty-net goal for the Predators to go up 6-3. 

10:50 p.m.: Anaheim pulls Bernier again to get an extra skater on the ice. Can Nashville score another empty-net goal?

10:48 p.m.: The Ducks pull their goalie with more than 2 1/2 minutes remaining and the Predators make them pay. Nashville goes up 5-3 with 2:22 to play. 

10:43 p.m.: Bridgestone Arena feels like it's ready to explode out of the TV screen. The home crowd wants the Cup.

10:39 p.m.: A huge penalty kill by the Predators, followed by the go-ahead goal. Potentially a series-clinching sequence for Nashville. Colton Sissons now has a hat trick, thanks to a pretty cross-ice feed and a short-side goal against Bernier. 

10:36 p.m.: The Ducks have a power play late in the third after a delay of game penalty against Roman Josi. 

10:30 p.m.: If the Predators lose Game 6, get ready for a slew of "Nashville blew a 3-1 lead" jokes. You can't say you weren't warned. 

10:28 p.m.: The goal is upheld. Get ready for an exciting finish in Nashville. The Ducks seemed to have grabbed all the momentum. 

10:27 p.m.: The goal should stand. P.K. Subban tripped Corey Perry, who crashed into Rinne. Rinne had time to get up. 

10:25 p.m.: The Ducks tie it! Anaheim wins a faceoff and Cam Fowler sends a laser into the top right corner of the net. Pekka Rinne was knocked down on the play and the Predators are challenging the goal.

10:19 p.m.: This entire series has been competitive and tonight is no different. Three games have been decided by one goal and two games have been decided by two goals. The Preds lead 3-2 in the third. 

10:17 p.m.: A quick answer by the Ducks keeps their playoff hopes alive. Chris Wagner scores on a deflection off Rinne's mask. 

10:13 p.m.: Did Nashville just punch its ticket to the Stanley Cup Final? A Rinne save on one end turns into a rebound goal by Sissons on the other end. The Predators lead 3-1. 

10:13 p.m.: Pekka Rinne has been a force in goal tonight. He has saved 28 of the 29 shots he has faced. 

10:09 p.m.: Nashville can afford to be patient, but not lackadaisical, in this third period. Every second the Preds can take off the clock counts.

10:05 p.m.: Buckle up, the third period has begun. 

9:57 p.m.: If the Predators hold on to win, look out, Nashville.

9:46 p.m.: The Predators take a 2-1 lead into the third period. Nashville put a ton of pressure on Bernier late in the period but couldn't find a hole. 

9:38 p.m.: Nashville gets another penalty kill. Two fights nearly break out as the teams head into a timeout. 

9:33 p.m.: Even the refs can take a hit. 

9:33 p.m.: Nashville gets a delayed penalty after Miikka Salomaki gets called for roughing. He sent a Ducks player into the boards head-first on a strong hit. 

9:29 p.m.: James Neal puts Arvidsson in great position to score but Arvidsson can't finish. 

9:25 p.m.: Bridgestone Arena sounds really loud on TV. It has to be one of the best atmospheres in the sport. 

9:23 p.m.: The Predators complete the penalty kill. Not the best showing from either team on power plays tonight. 

9:21 p.m.: Rinne shows quick reflexes in the net to poke away the puck after a nifty move by Corey Perry on the Ducks' power play. 

9:16 p.m: Austin Watson gets sent to the penalty box for high-sticking. Here's Anaheim's chance to tie it up. 

9:15 p.m.: The Ducks have had more offensive activity, but not efficiency, than the Predators. Nashville has two goals on six shots and Anaheim has one goal on 17 shots.

9:12 p.m.: Anaheim cuts Nashville's lead in half. Right winger Ondrej Kase gets a wide-open shot on goal after a faceoff.  

9:05 p.m.:  The second period is underway. The Ducks needs to match the intensity the Predators had to start the game.

8:46 p.m.: The Predators take a 2-0 lead into the locker room after the first period. Nashville started the game incredibly aggressive but couldn't capitalize on a five-minute power play. 

8:39 p.m.:  Anaheim gets a major penalty kill late in the first period after falling behind 2-0. Nashville looked a bit lethargic during its five-minute power play. 

8:30 p.m.: Hockey players are the toughest athletes, bar none. 

8:30 p.m.: Nick Ritchie absolutely flattens Viktor Arvidsson against the boards from behind. Arvidsson is bleeding from the forehead and Ritchie receives a five-minute boarding penalty. 

8:26 p.m.: The Preds double their lead as Colton Sissons' snap shot beats Bernier at 8:47 of the first period. 

8:21 p.m.: Ryan Kesler gets whistled for interference. We have 4-on-4 hockey in Nashville with two players in the box. 

8:20 p.m.: P.K. Subban gets sent to the penalty box for a cross-check. Easy call for the officials sets up the first power play of the game. 

8:14 p.m.:  Nashville strikes first as Austin Watson's shot deflects off an Anaheim defenseman's skate.

8:12 p.m.:  Jonathan Bernier gets the start, replacing the injured John Gibson in net for the Ducks. 

8:11 p.m.: The puck has dropped in Nashville as the Predators look to win Game 6 on home ice.

Andy Wittry