The set-up: The Nashville Predators can advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in franchise history when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night in Game 6. Nashville's 3-1 victory at Anaheim on Saturday pushed the Ducks to the brink of elimination, as the Predators own a 3-2 in the series. Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne was spectacular again on Saturday with 32 saves. Anaheim's starting goaltender John Gibson left Game 5 with a lower-body injury, knocking him out of the final two periods of Game 5. Gibson said after the game he would play in Game 6, but head coach Randy Carlyle was more cautious when the team arrived late Sunday afternoon in Nashville, saying Gibson would be reevaluated in the morning.

Anaheim: With the murky status of Gibson, Anaheim could be pinning its "must-win hopes" on backup Jonathan Bernier, who turned aside 16 of 18 shots Saturday but hasn't made a start since April 9. Making matters even more difficult, the Ducks will have to go without 30-goal scorers Rickard Rakell and Patrick Eaves, who both stayed back in Orange County with lower-body injuries, not traveling to Nashville. What's more, center Ryan Kesler has been limited to just three assists over the past nine games.

Nashville: The Predators have to be thrilled that they won Game 5 with their top two centers, Ryan Johansen (compartment syndrome surgery in left thigh) and Mike Fisher (undisclosed injury), on the shelf. They have also played the entire series without Craig Smith (undisclosed) and Kevin Fiala (fractured leg). Pontus Aberg drew back into the lineup and scored the winning goal just over midway through the third period for his first playoff goal, while Frederick Gaudreau played well defensively and had a winning record on face-offs, going 10-4 in his first playoff match. Gaudreau became the team's 18th forward to play in the postseason, tying an NHL record. Aberg and Austin Watson, are the 16th and 17th Predators to score goals in the playoffs.

The pick: One way to look at this is that while Nashville is 10-3 at home in the playoffs the past two postseasons, all three losses have come against the Ducks, including this series' game 4 loss, which evened the series at two-all. However, the Ducks are missing two key goal scorers and somehow have to solve Rinne. No opponent has so far in the 2017 playoffs, as Rinne owns a 1.62 GAA and .942 SP. Considering that the Ducks are 2-for-30 on the power play in their last 10 postseason contests, breaking through against Rinne seems like a stretch. In contrast, Anaheim's goaltending situation is a question mark, at best. Nashville's ability to replace an injured player and have that replacement come through is just the latest example of how depth is driving this team to heights it's never reached before. Make Nashville an 8* play.