8* play on Nashville.

The Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks will open their Western Conference Quarterfinals series with a match-up at the Duck Pond Friday night. The Ducks qualified as winners of the Pacific Division while Nashville earned one of the wild cards in the conference, but I think the Preds are looking good to record an upset tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous Meetings - The Predators won the regular-season series 2-1 and their netminder Pekka Rinne is 12-5-4 lifetime versus Anaheim.

2. Ryan Johansen - The star center has added another dimension to Nashville's offense since coming over from Columbus in a trade for defenseman Seth Jones. Nashville averaged 2.55 goals per game prior to the trade but 2.90 goals per game after.

3. X-Factor - The long rest since a 3-2 loss at Dallas in the regular-season finale should work wonders for a Nashville team that is 12-4 in its last 16 games playing on three or more days rest.

Selection: This is a play on the Nashville Predators (8*)