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Nashville Predators: Top-Five Most Exciting Playoff Series

By Rich Howe

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 13: Goalie Manny Legace #34 of the Detroit Red Wings looks back as the puck slides between his legs for a goal by Vladimir Orszagh #33 of the Nashville Predators in the second period during game four of their first round Stanley Cup playoffs on April 13, 2004 at the Gaylord Center in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 13: Goalie Manny Legace #34 of the Detroit Red Wings looks back as the puck slides between his legs for a goal by Vladimir Orszagh #33 of the Nashville Predators in the second period during game four of their first round Stanley Cup playoffs on April 13, 2004 at the Gaylord Center in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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2011 – Predators vs. Ducks

The Predators hit a milestone during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They made it to the second round for the first time in franchise history. It was the next hump the Predators franchise was trying to overcome since that first series with the Red Wings in 2004.

The Predators were pretty evenly-matched with the Ducks. Both teams had scored 99 points during the regular season, and the Ducks were one of those physically brutal teams that you loved to hate.

Nashville was the 5th seed while Anaheim was the 4th due to more season wins than Nashville. This seeding also gave the Ducks home-ice advantage.

This first-round series was a classic back and forth between the two teams. The Predators would need six games to finish off the Ducks. Nashville closed out the series with a 4-2 victory in front of a raucous home crowd.

It was fun seeing big-time personalities like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf go down to the Predators, who would lose to the Vancouver Canucks in the next round in six games.

Memorable Moments

After five previous attempts, the Predators moved into the second round of the playoffs for the first time.

Mike Fisher and Shea Weber netted six goals combined throughout the series.

The Predators seized control of the series in Game 6 when Jerred Smithson scored the game-winner in overtime to beat the Ducks in Anaheim.

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