There is one way, the Ducks agreed, to avoid squandering a 3-2 playoff series lead for the fourth time in four postseason runs: Convince themselves that they can’t afford to lose to the Nashville Predators on Monday night and allow this first-round series to go the limit.
“This is our Game 7 now,” center Ryan Kesler said after the Ducks’ morning skate Monday at Bridgestone Arena. “We’re taking this as a Game 7 and we have to put our best foot forward because we’re going to get their best foot.