Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Mike Fisher scored the game-winner midway through the third period, as the Nashville Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks, 4-3, in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal set at Bridgestone Arena. Martin Erat had a goal and an assist for the fifth-seeded Predators, who bounced back from a 5-3 defeat in Game 2 to take a 2-1 series lead. Jordin Tootoo and David Legwand also lit the lamp.
Pekka Rinne made 13 saves for Nashville, which has never won a playoff series in the franchise's brief history, having been knocked out in the first round all five times it has made the postseason. Teemu Selanne had two goals for the Ducks, who were without forward Bobby Ryan because of his two-game suspension. Ryan, who had 34 goals in the regular season, was docked by the NHL Saturday for stomping on the skate of Predators defenseman Jonathon Blum late in Anaheim's victory Friday.
Matt Beleskey also scored for Anaheim, which got 33 saves from Ray Emery. Game 4 is set for Wednesday in Nashville.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.