The set-up: The Anaheim Ducks finally put an end to their demonizing streak of Game 7 postseason failures on their home ice with their 2-1 win over the Oilers on Wednesday. However, there is no rest for the weary as Anaheim will host the upstart Nashville Predators tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at the Honda Center. The eighth-seeded Predators swept the top-seed Blackhawks in the first round and then eliminated the Blues in six games in the second round, advancing to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history. However, the Ducks will well remember that Nashville won Game 7 in Anaheim a year ago,eliminating the Ducks from the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season in a Game 7 on their home ice. That led to the dismissal of head coach Bruce Boudreau.

Nashville: The Predators' playoff run is due in large part to the remarkable renaissance of veteran goaltender Pekka Rinne. He's overcome an uneven regular season by allowing just 14 goals in 10 playoff games, including a pair of shutouts in the sweep of top-seeded Chicago. Rinne's led Nahville to an 8-2 record, posting a 1.37 GAA with a .951 save percentage. The defensemen, despite the blockbuster offseason trade of longtime captain Shea Weber for fellow blueliner P.K. Subban, are getting it done at both ends of the ice by amassing nine goals and 27 points in the postseason.

Anaheim: Captain Ryan Getzlaf got off to a miserable start to the season with only two goals in his first 26 games but has been superb in the playoffs with eight goals and seven assists. Linemate Corey Perry came alive in the last four games versus Edmonton with a goal and five assists plus 33-goal scorer Rickard Rakell tallied in four straight games against the Oilers. The defense is also providing healthy offensive production with a combined three goals and 20 assists. However, goalie John Gibson remains a question mark. He has surrendered at least three goals in six of his last nine appearances.

The pick: Rinne's the Conn Smythe favorite through the first two rounds (Ottawa would say Karlsson) and remember that when these teams met in the playoffs last year, the visiting team won five of the seven games! I noted Gibson's shortcomings above and will add that he lost both playoff starts against the Predators a year ago. Make Nashville a 10* play.