Fisher familiar with final

Predators captain Mike Fisher is playing in a Cup final for the first time since 2007, when Anaheim defeated his Ottawa team in five games.

After losing Game 1 Monday, a lot of memories from his first go-round rushed back.

“That’s one of the highlights of my career, 10 years ago playing in the final,” Fisher said. “Disappointing, no question, but I think that’s given me more of a hunger to want to win it and do all we can do to make sure we’re on the right side of it this time. I’m just enjoying it the best I can, and this is an awesome opportunity for our team.”

As the lone Predators player with final experience before Monday, he has tried to ignore the pressure of delivering the Stanley Cup that eluded him a decade ago.

“Honestly, I want to focus on every game, and that’s kind of been what we’ve tried to do in these playoffs, not get too far ahead and stay in the moment,” Fisher said. “Just keep things focused on day to day. If I can do that, we’ll worry about the other stuff after.” champions, but they’ve been able to overcome their star defenseman’s absence to get back into the Cup final.

Part of the reason is that Justin Schultz has filled some of the offensive void created when Letang had to have season-ending surgery.

Schultz entered Game 2 with three goals and eight assists in 16 playoff appearances, tying him with Nashville’s P.K. Subban and Roman Josi for third among defensemen in these playoffs, just one point behind Ryan Ellis of the Predators.

“He’s filled a big spot on the power play, for sure,” Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta said. “He’s definitely been stepping up.”