Predators one win away from West title

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pontus Aberg scored his first career playoff goal with 8:59 to play, and the Nashville Predators moved to the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final with a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals Saturday night.

Aberg scored on a rebound of Filip Forsberg’s shot for the Predators, who took a 3-2 series lead despite the injury absence of top scorer Ryan Johansen and captain Mike Fisher.

Game 6 is Monday night at Nashville. In other hockey news: • Two-time defending champion Canada and Sweden will face off in the final of the world championships after winning their semifinals at Colgone, Germany. Canada stunned Russia 4-2 by coming from two goals down in the third period, while Sweden enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 victory over Finland. MOTOR SPORTS