Ducks Fall To Predators 2-1 In Fourth Straight Game 7 Home Loss

Despite throwing everything they had at the Nashville Predators over the final 40 minutes, the Anaheim Ducks suffered a staggering 2-1 home loss on Wednesday in Game 7 of a Western-Conference first-round playoff series.

Ducks Fall To Predators 2-1 In Fourth Straight Game 7 Home Loss

“It’s hard to swallow right now,” said right winger Corey Perry, the Ducks’ leading scorer who was held goal-loss in the entire seven-game series against the Predators.  Perry appeared to need a few moments to collect himself at the Ducks bench before heading to the locker room.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Ducks lost a Game 7 at the Honda Center.

“It’s four years in a row,” Perry said. “A lot of guys in here that we’re playing hard for. It’s too bad we couldn’t get it done.”

After trailing 2-0 at the end of two periods, Ryan Kesler re-ignited the arena with a power-play goal just 1 minute 45 seconds into the third to pull the Ducks within 2-1.

Anaheim Coach Bruce Boudreau reunited Perry and Ryan Getzlaf midway through the second period. However, the Ducks continued to suffer miss after mishap. Jamie McGinn hit the crossbar on a wide-open look, while Jakob Silfverberg broke his stick on a three-on-two chance. Hampus Lindholm also took a shot that bounced off the post in the third.

Boudreau, who is now 1-7 in Game 7s, was asked after the game if this was was the hardest of the last four Game 7 losses with the Ducks.

“With the way the score was, and the way we were pushing, I’d say yes,” Boudreau said. “Especially since how hard we had to push from November on, just to get to where we were. We did everything the hard way. We thought in the third period, we could still tie it up. And it just wasn’t to be.”

The Ducks were unable to capitalize after they killed a Nashville two-man advantage and subsequent 4-on3 after two penalties in the first period.

Colin Wilson opened up scoring for the Predators with an unassisted goal just 6:19 into the game by working the puck around from the left circle following a Ducks turnover from defenseman Simon Despres  Paul Gaustad then gave Nashville a 2-0 lead by tipping Shea Weber’s shot from the right point with 4:07 left in the first period.

The Predators, who won the first-round series 4-3, will now advance to the second round to face off against the San Jose Sharks.

“Obviously there will be changes,” Kesler said. “There always is. It’s tough to see teammates go.”

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 27: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates past Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators during the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center on April 27, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)