Two of the strongest second half teams in the NHL will open their first-round series of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday. The series between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks might be the last to get off the ground, but it could also be the most entertaining.
Predators vs. Ducks, 2016 NHL playoffs: Time, TV schedule and live stream
Two red-hot teams square off in the first round.
Scouting the Predators
Nobody in the Western Conference has been as hot as the Predators over the last couple of months. Nashville’s season pivoted from decent to an excellent when it traded for center Ryan Johansen in January. Filip Forsberg was the first Predator with 30 goals since 2010, and he was followed shortly after by James Neal. The Predators have always been able to keep the puck out of the net, but now they can put it in the other one just as easily.
Scouting the Ducks
The turnaround by Anaheim this year is remarkable. The Ducks were dead last in the Western Conference in mid-November. By April, the Ducks had won the Pacific Division and owned one of the best records in the league. And they’re healthy, as David Perron, Rickard Rakell and Kevin Bieksa should all be ready for Game 1. The only question is who starts in goal: Frederik Andersen or rookie sensation John Gibson?
Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks
10:30 p.m. | Game 1, Western Conference Round 1
Honda Center | Anaheim, California
Local: PRIME, FS-TN | Nat'l: NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Live stream at NBC Live Extra and Rogers GameCentre
More coverage: Predators blog | Ducks blog
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