Nashville wants more history than just 1st Stanley Cup Final

Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, jumps on goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, and left wing Viktor Arvidsson (38), of Sweden, after the Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks to win Game 6 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Monday, May 22, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 6-3 to win the series 4-2 and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, jumps on goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, and left wing Viktor Arvidsson (38), of Sweden, after the Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks to win Game 6 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Monday, May 22, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 6-3 to win the series 4-2 and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

By Associated Press May 23, 2017 4 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Nashville Predators, the final team into the NHL playoffs, are headed to the first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.

Coach Peter Laviolette insists they won’t just be happy to be there either.

“Our guys know the big picture,” Laviolette said. “They understand what it is that we’re trying to do here. And when that time comes, we’ll be ready.”

Colton Sissons scored a hat trick with his third goal the game-winner with 6:00 left, and goalie Pekka Rinne made 38 saves as the Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-3 on Monday night in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals.

Now the team no one outside of Nashville expected to be here is waiting to face either defending champion Pittsburgh or Ottawa for the Stanley Cup. Game 1 is Monday.