Ducks Clinch Third Seed: Terry’s Late Heroics Sink Predators in Nashville
Ducks Clinch Third Seed: Terry’s Late Heroics Sink Predators in Nashville
In a thriller at Bridgestone Arena, the Anaheim Ducks secured the third seed in the Pacific Division with a 5-4 victory over the Nashville Predators. The game was a showcase for Anaheim’s rising star Cutter Gauthier, who wasted no time making his presence felt. Gauthier scored just 96 seconds into the first period with a blistering snap shot, his 41st goal of an incredible campaign. The early tally set the tone for a back-and-forth battle that wasn't decided until Troy Terry buried a power-play goal with under three minutes remaining in regulation.
The victory was crucial for Anaheim, as it locked in a first-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers. Despite a rough 2-6-2 stretch to end the month, the Ducks found their offensive rhythm when it mattered most. Alongside Gauthier’s early goal, Jackson LaCombe, Alex Killorn, and Tristan Luneau all found the back of the net. Mikael Granlund was the primary facilitator, recording three assists to help the Ducks overcome a determined Nashville squad that fought to the very end on their Fan Appreciation Night.
Stamkos and Forsberg Lead the Predators' Fight
Nashville, although eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the week, refused to go quietly. Veteran forward Steven Stamkos was sensational, scoring twice and adding an assist to reach 42 goals on the season. Filip Forsberg also netted two goals, giving the Predators two 40-goal scorers for the first time in franchise history. The Predators' power play was particularly dangerous, with Stamkos and Forsberg consistently finding seams in the Anaheim defense, but the Ducks' ability to respond at even strength proved to be the difference.
Nashville finishes the year with a 38-34-10 record, a season defined by individual milestones but ultimately cut short by a lack of consistency in the second half. The game also featured the NHL debut of rookie Cole O’Hara, who earned his first career assist on Stamkos’ first goal. With Juuse Saros making several spectacular stops to keep the Predators in the game, the Nashville crowd was treated to a playoff-level intensity despite the lack of postseason implications for their club.
Ducks Shift Focus to McDavid and the Oilers
For Anaheim, the road to the Stanley Cup now goes through Edmonton. The Ducks (37-35-10) will rely heavily on the elite scoring of Cutter Gauthier and the playmaking of Troy Terry to keep pace with the high-powered Oilers. Gauthier’s 41 goals as a 22-year-old have established him as one of the most dangerous shooters in the Western Conference, and his performance in Nashville was a perfect audition for the postseason stage.
Goaltender Ville Husso earned the win for Anaheim, surviving a late Nashville push that saw the Predators hit the post in the final seconds of the third period. Coach Greg Cronin praised his team’s resilience after the game, noting that clinching the third seed allows the group to enter the playoffs with renewed confidence. As the Ducks head north to Edmonton for Game 1, they carry the momentum of a hard-fought victory and the knowledge that their young core is ready to compete at the highest level.
