Predators win series in six
Nashville knocks out St. Louis and is going where it’s never been before in postseason.
Nashville advances to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.
NASHVILLE — Ryan Johansen celebrated his gamewinning goal with a windmill fist pump, and the Nashville Predators finished off the rest of a thrilling third period with the standing-room only crowd on its feet anticipating history.
Yes, the team that plays in a place called “Smashville” is going someplace the Predators have never been before: the Western Conference finals.
Johansen scored 3 minutes 15 seconds into the third, and the Predators advanced to the conference finals in their fourth try by beating the St. Louis Blues 3-1 to take the series in six games.
“It’s a big step for the franchise,” Predators defenseman Roman Josi said. “This is such a great city, such a great hockey city, I think people finally recognize that. Our fans are unbelievable.”
The Predators won their ninth straight playoff game in Nashville going back to last postseason.
“It’s obviously a tough building,” Blues goalie Jake Allen said. “So whoever they play next is going to have their hands full.”
Goalie Pekka Rinne made 23 saves and had an assist. Josi had a goal and an assist, and Calle Jarnkrok added an empty-net goal with 60 seconds left.
“Right now, it means everything,” Rinne said. “We haven’t gotten further than this before. Obviously, it’s a great feeling. There’s a lot of work left. After this second round, there are only four teams left. We all know that we have what it takes and everything is in our hands. It’s a good feeling. This is why you play this game. Right now, I’m pretty happy.”
Nashville will play either the Ducks or Edmonton in the next round.
Paul Stastny scored for St. Louis, which fell short of a second straight conference final.
The Predators and Blues were tied through the first 40 minutes for a third straight game and fourth overall in this series when Johansen skated up the slot for a pass from Viktor Arvidsson and beat Allen with a backhand.
Allen kept the Blues close as he had all series, stopping Filip Forsberg on a breakaway with 13:31 left.
But Jarnkrok scored with a minute to go to clinch it.