Predators eliminate Ducks to reach first Stanley Cup Final

NASHVILLE – Colton Sissons completed his hat trick with six minutes left in regulation to give the Nashville Predators a 6-3 win against the Anaheim Ducks and a place in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in the franchise’s 19-year history.

The Predators will play the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators series starting Memorial Day on May 29. The Penguins hold a 3-2 lead going into Tuesday’s Game 6 in Ottawa.

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Here’s how the Predators prevailed in Game 6 on Monday night:

Rinne was the difference: The Ducks outshot the Predators 25-8 over the first 40 minutes and 41-18 for the game, but Rinne kept Nashville in the game with several key saves. Rinne has probably been Nashville’s MVP throughout the playoffs.

Opportunistic offense: The Predators scored on two of their first three shots. Forward Austin Watson scored Nashville’s first goal with a shot from the boards that struck an Anaheim defenseman and deflected into the net at 1:21 of the first period.

Sissons scored at 8:47 by beating Anaheim goalie Jonathan Bernier cleanly from the slot area.

Sissons’ second goal three minutes into the third period was deflating for the Ducks as they were outshooting Nashville 31-9. The 23-year-old entered with 13 goals in 109 regular-season games, and had two playoff tallies in 15 games, both of which were scored in the first round.

Anaheim rallies to tie: Chris Wagner scored for Anaheim at 5:00 of the third period and Cam Fowler followed it up nearly four minutes later to tie up the game at 3-3. The Ducks seemed to have the momentum until Sissons notched his game winner. At even strength, the Ducks had 61 shot attempts, compared to 32 for Nashville, according to hockeystats.ca. Filip Forsberg and Watson added empty netters.

Gibson out: No. 1 goalie John Gibson, who left Game 5 with an injury, was unable to play Game 6 for the Ducks.

The Ducks also were without forwards Rickard Rakell and Patrick Eaves and defenseman Simon Despres. Ryan Johansen, Mike Fisher, Kevin Fiala and Craig Smith were all out of the lineup for Nashville.

Special accomplishments: Predators coach Peter Laviolette became the fourth coach to lead three different teams (Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and Predators) to the Stanley Cup Final, while general manager David Poile will be making his first appearance.

Mystery anthem singer: The Predators' national anthem singer has become must-see TV. On Monday night, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks' wife, became the latest to perform.