In order to beat the Ducks this series, the Preds had to win at least one game in Anaheim.
So, mission accomplished.
The Preds did the business on Friday night, beating the Ducks 3-2 in Game 1 of their opening round playoff series at the Honda Center.
Filip Forsberg scored the game-winner at 10:25 of the third period and Pekka Rinne stopped 27 of 29 shots for Nashville, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat the reigning Pacific Division champions in their own barn.
James Neal and Colin Wilson also scored for the Preds.
Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler replied for the Ducks, who started John Gibson in goal over Frederik Andersen and watched Gibson allow three goals on 33 shots.
OK, so with that out of the way -- what does tonight’s result mean?
For the Preds, as mentioned above, it’s a big result. Aside from wrestling away home ice, they matched the Ducks in nearly every department -- except in the faceoff circle, where Anaheim went 61 percent -- and will now go back to Bridgestone no worse than tied 1-1 in the series.
For the Ducks... well, it’s not a terrific start, to say the least. They got out-shot at home, only putting 17 on goal over the final two periods after firing 12 on Rinne in the opening frame.
Anaheim is also now facing a very important Game 2 on Sunday night, as there’s no way the Ducks want to go to Nashville down 0-2 in the series.
