It hasn't been easy to back the Nashville Predators into a corner.
Of the four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Predators are the only one that hasn't faced elimination this spring. Nashville owns a 11-4 record in the postseason, having not lost more than twice in a series so far.
That hasn't been the case for the still-standing Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and Ottawa Senators.
The Penguins already staved off elimination once, emerging victorious in their Game 7 contest against the Washington Capitals. Pittsburgh took the second round series with a 2-0 win on goals from Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist.
Like Pittsburgh, Anaheim made quick work in the opening round but took seven games to defeat the Edmonton Oilers in Round 2. Now down 3-2 to the Predators, the Ducks must win their next two matches to mark their first trip to the finals since 2007.
Meanwhile in Ottawa, after knocking off the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers in six-game sets, the Senators are down 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Final after being shellacked 7-0 by the Penguins in Game 5. It was the first time this postseason Ottawa has dropped three games in a series. The Senators will play for their playoff lives Tuesday on home ice.
As for the Predators, a win Monday will close out their series against the Ducks and mark the franchise's first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Nashville joined the NHL in 1998.
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