After never before experiencingthe tensionof a Game 7, the Predators got a full dose Wednesday but survived, thanks to the poise Davion Davis Jersey of their goalie and a little beginner's puck luck. Nashville closed out its first-round Western Conference Stanley Cup playoffseries vs. Anaheim with a2-1 win in Southern California.The Predatorsadvancedto the second roundfor the first time in four years. where the Sharks are waiting. MORE: | Nashville opened a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Colin Wilson and Paul Gaustad, then rode Pekka Rinne, who made 36 saves in his second straight stand-on-his-head performance while overcoming his teammates' stagnant playover the 40 minutes that followed. What a backhand beauty to start off . #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) The are pretty happy with that first period. #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) When Ryan Kesler scored to make it 2-1 not Houston Texans Men Jersey even twominutes into the third period, it seemed overtime would be in the cards. ButRinne weathered the next 14Ducks shots, including a pair ofCorey Perry scoring chancesin the final minutes, to shut the door on the comeback. It was Anaheim's fifth consecutive Game 7 lo s, tied for the longest drought in NHL history. is 1-7 for his career when a series goes the distance, dating to his days with the Capitals. The Predators were one of only three franchises (the Blue Jackets and the Thrashers/Jets are the others)to have never appeared in a Game 7. Three stars 3. John Tavares, F, Islanders: Tavares has been on a tear, with 22 points in 13 games stretching back to the regular season, and his second-period goal Wednesday served as the eventual game-winner as the Isles took Game 1 from the Lightning. The captain also a sisted on the game's first goal, giving him a playoff-leading11 points through seven games. MORE: 2.Thomas Grei s, G, Islanders: Never mind that Grei s allowed three goals. He was stellar again in Game 1, a main reason the Islesheld a 4-1 lead to start the third period before the Lightning mounted a mini-comeback to make things interesting. Grei s, Rex Burkhead Jersey astand-in for injured starter JaroslavHalak,finished with 33 saves on 36 shots as New York held on for the 5-3 victory, and he's quietly having a very nice postseason. Wednesday's performance was especially significant considering counterpart BenBishop, a Vezina finalist, was yanked after allowing four goals on 13 shots. 1. Pekka Rinne, G, Predators: Rinneovercame a string of subpar performances in Games 3 through5 of the series to stop 62 of 64 shots over the Predators' final two wins. When he's on, as he's shown lately, the Predators are a force to be reckoned with. Highlight Tavares and Lightning dynamoNikita Kucherovtraded the Maliek Collins Jersey postseason goals lead through the first round, and they were at it again. Both netted their sixth of the playoffs Wednesday, and now that they're going head-to-head, we get to see more beauties like these. You can always count on Johnny. Tavares has his League-leading 6th of the Playoffs. #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) A great release by Kucherov has within two. #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) Thursday's game to watch Penguins at Capitals, Game 1, 8 p.m Justin Britt Jersey . ET NBCSN: One of hockey's greatest rivalries resumes witha series that pits two Stanley Cup favorites against one another . . .in the second round. Though everyone would prefer this matchup to playout one round later (thanks a lot, playoff realignment), the latest Sidney Crosby vs. Alexander Ovechkinhead-to-headwill be must-watch each night. Buckle up.