ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In any goaltenders' duel this postseason, it would be unwise to bet against Pekka Rinne.
Rinne's Nashville Predators prevailed 3-2 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Friday despite 43 saves by his counterpart, Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson. Rinne stopped 27 of 29 shots, including some sterling chances from Anaheim's top players. Rinne leads all goalies this postseason in wins, save percentage, goals-against-average and shutouts.
It was winger James Neal who provided the game-winning goal in overtime. His one-timer banked in off Anaheim winger Corey Perry.