The Nashville Predators took Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. The 3-2 victory came in overtime on the road at Honda Center, where forward James Neal scored the game-winning goal on a one-timer from the right circle.
James Neal’s overtime game-winner puts Predators ahead in conference finals
The Predators are up 1-0 in the Western Conference Final.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Neal’s shot deflected off Corey Perry, who was trying to block it, which gave it the elevation it needed to slip over John Gibson and into the goal. It’s a rough bounce for the Ducks, but it also came after the Predators dominated the overtime period with a 7-2 shot advantage.
That’s the fourth goal of the playoffs for Neal, who has scored at least two goals in every postseason since 2012. This was the first time that one of his teams has ever won a game in the conference finals. When he reached them with the Penguins in 2014, they got swept by the Bruins in four games.
This time around, the Predators at least have one win. And based on how they played in Game 1, there’s a very good chance that more are on the way.
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