Forsberg goes to bank in Predators’ 3-2 win over Ducks

Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, left, blocks a shot by Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber during the first period of Game 1 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs first-round series in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, left, blocks a shot by Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber during the first period of Game 1 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs first-round series in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

By Associated Press April 16, 2016 3 min read

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Filip Forsberg got credit for the tiebreaking goal with 9:35 to play, and the Nashville Predators opened their first-round playoff series with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

Pekka Rinne made 27 saves for the Predators, who got the early jump on the Pacific Division champion Ducks with a gritty road effort.

James Neal and Colin Wilson also scored, while Forsberg scored the go-ahead goal when his cross-ice pass to Craig Smith hit defenseman Shea Theodore’s skate and trickled past John Gibson.

Forsberg was dangerous all night, and not just with the puck. His open-ice hit on Josh Manson at the first-period buzzer knocked the Anaheim defenseman out of the game.

Game 2 is Sunday night in Anaheim.