The Nashville Predators have just done something no member of the team can ever claim to have accomplished in the city before. They had to overcome injuries and adversity to get there.
They had to overcome the best team in the Western Conference. They even had to overcome a national anthem sung by someone without the country roots the city embodies. But it was all worth it, as the team is headed to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time.
Nashville wins Game 6
The Predators started their scoring binge immediately on Monday night. Within a minute and a half of the drop of the opening puck, Austin Watson had them out in front.
It was a lead that would be maintained all the way up until the third period, when the Anaheim Ducks managed to tie the game back up at 3-3. From there, however, Nashville reasserted control and scored the final three goals of the game to earn their Stanley Cup Finals trip in front of their home crowd.
The real star of the game - outside of national anthem singer Trisha Yearwood - was Colton Sissons. He netted a hat trick for the night. Meanwhile, Pekka Rinne continued his dominant ways despite giving up three goals, making 38 saves. He'll have to continue his excellent play for the Predators to take home their first Stanley Cup, either against the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Ottawa Senators.
Road to the Stanley Cup Finals
The Predators have had an arduous road to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They entered the season with high expectations, but struggled to even qualify for the playoffs. Sneaking in as the last wild card team, Nashville was tasked with taking on the Western Conference behemoths, the Chicago Blackhawks.
All the Predators did was sweep Chicago out of the playoffs, the victor's first ever playoff sweep. They then took down the St. Louis Blues in six games in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Their biggest enemy in the Western Conference Finals has been injuries, which have forced young players to step up in big moments. Winger Kevin Fiala suffered a season-ending fracture during the first game with the Blues.
Ryan Johansen also suffered a season-ending injury during the series with the Ducks. These obstacles haven't prevented the city of Nashville from getting hyped up for their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. This postseason has already been a massive success, but the hockey party may only just be beginning in Nashville, Tennessee.
