Stanley Cup Playoffs Predators regain West finals lead stay unbeaten at hom

If the Anaheim Ducks thought they had taken control of the Western Conference finals after dropping five goals on the Nashville Predators on Sunday, they thought wrong. In an all-night offensive push, epitomized by the Preds' 40 shots on John Gibson, Nashville finally broke through in the third period of Game 3, scoring twice to undo a two-period 1-0 Anaheim lead and staying unbeaten at home in the postseason with a 2-1 victory in front of an ever-roaring Bridgestone Arena crowd. A game after they virtually went scorele s on power-play tries against Gibson, the Preds did not convert on a man advantage until 17:17 into the third period Tuesday, when Roman Josi laced the puck into the net. Any time is a great time for a game-winner. The take a 2-1 series lead! NHL (@NHL) But the deciding shot was merely Ricky Rubio Jersey the icing on the cake for the surging home team, which relentle sly pre sed Anaheim during the course of Game 3. Even though the Ducks and Predators have scored eight goals each through three games in the Western finals, the latter has skated toward a potential Stanley Cup Final bid with far more control, and that was especially the case Tuesday night. They might have outscored the Ducks by only one goal, but their efforts were that of a team desperate to overwhelm with aggre sivene s and persistent in attempts to capitalize on some undisciplined play by the Ducks. Crucial time for a crucial goal. Filip Forsberg has Bridgestone Arena off their feet. NHL (@NHL) For the Preds to keep their momentum alive, they'll need to find a way to translate their dominating pace -- the same one that saw them fly past the Chicago Blackhawks two series ago -- into ... well, more goals. They have to finish and ensure their frenetic energy actually gets the puck in the net. On Anaheim's side, the Ducks must alleviate the pre sure on Gibson, who has mostly stood tall to slow a wild Preds offense. They've done a nice job thwarting plenty of Nashville power plays, but they also can't bank on another comeback or two to fall in their favor against such a potent opponent -- and one that has both entertained and dominated on home ice. Cheick Diallo Jersey