NHL Playoff Schedule 2017: TV Information, Predictions for Conference Finals

The Anaheim Ducks were in a serious hole in the late stages of the first period Sunday night against the Nashville Predators.

They had already dropped the Western Conference Final series opener at home Friday, and they had been outskated and outplayed in the first period and trailed by a 2-0 margin. In addition to the two goals that they had allowed to Ryan Johansen and James Neal, they didn't seem to have much of a game plan for beating Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne.

They weren't putting many pucks on the Predators goalie, and he was having an easy time.

But that changed when Sami Vatanen got all of a slap shot he took from the right side. The puck rocketed toward the net and caught the…