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Ducks recover after conceding two-goal lead to even series with Predators

Corey Perry deflected in the game-winner to even the series with Nashville.

May 19, 2017 at 5:28AM
Anaheim Ducks center Nate Thompson (44) and center Ryan Getzlaf, second from right, celebrate after beating the Nashville Predators in overtime in Game 4 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ducks won 3-2 to even the series 2-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Anaheim Ducks center Nate Thompson (44) and center Ryan Getzlaf, second from right, celebrate after beating the Nashville Predators in overtime in Game 4 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ducks won 3-2 to even the series 2-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NASHVILLE – Corey Perry's shot deflected in off Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban's stick 10:25 into overtime, and the Ducks stopped the Predators' 10-game home playoff winning streak with a 3-2 victory Thursday that evened the Western Conference finals at 2-2.

John Gibson made 32 saves for Anaheim, which was the last team to beat the Predators in Nashville in the playoffs last spring in Game 4 of their first-round series.

Rickard Rakell and Nick Ritchie staked the Ducks to a 2-0 lead. But Subban scored with 6:27 left, and Filip Forsberg tied it with 34.5 seconds remaining in regulation with his fourth goal in four games.

"You put that period behind you, go out and play like you did in the first period," Perry said of the Ducks' mentality in overtime. "We kind of changed the momentum there, and we got some chances and we got a break."

The Predators had matched the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings with their 10-game winning streak but missed matching Colorado's 11-0 playoff run in 1996-97.

"The fight back was good," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "It's disappointing the way we started. We need to be better than that this time of year."

Perry ended the second overtime in this series with a goal originally credited to Nate Thompson. Perry's shot from near the right boards deflected off Subban's stick and past goalie Pekka Rinne as the defenseman tried to poke-check the puck away.

"Unlucky bounce," Subban said. "I stick my stick out there, and it deflects and goes in. Tough play."

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The Ducks killed off five penalties, including a 5-on-3 in the third. But the Predators outshot them 11-5 in the third.

Subban scored off a blast from the blue line to revive the standing-room only crowd with Forsberg helping screen Gibson. Then Anaheim defenseman Kevin Bieksa, playing his first game since the opener against Edmonton in the second round, went to the box for high-sticking Forsberg. Just 29 seconds later, defenseman Josh Manson slashed James Neal.

That gave Nashville a 5-on-3 for 1:31 with 4:38 left. The Predators couldn't get the puck past Gibson.


Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36), defenseman Josh Manson (42) and defenseman Cam Fowler (4) defend the net against Nashville Predators right wing James Neal (18) in the second period of Game 4 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36), defenseman Josh Manson (42) and defenseman Cam Fowler (4) defend the net against Nashville Predators right wing James Neal (18) in the second period of Game 4 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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