The Nashville Predators bench celebrates their go-ahead goal during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final against the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) - The Nashville Predators are so confident right now that not even having two goals in eight seconds waved off for goaltender interference can shake them.
Especially not on home ice.
Roman Josi scored a power-play goal with 2:43 left, and the Predators rallied to beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 Tuesday in their first-ever home game in the Western Conference finals.
The Predators grabbed a 2-1 lead in the series with their 10th straight home win in the postseason going back to last season. The Predators are the first NHL team to win 10 straight playoff games at home since Detroit in 1997-98.
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm said the team feels comfortable on home ice.
"That's really it," Ekholm said. "Our fans, I really didn't think they could bring it to a new level, but I really thought they did tonight. It helps us so much, especially with those two goals.
"We have our fans standing up the whole third period literally and cheering us on. It gives us that extra boost and that extra energy that we needed."
Filip Forsberg tied it up at 3:54 of the third as the Predators rallied for the win against an Anaheim team that has notched four comeback victories already when trailing by multiple goals this postseason.
Both goals were waved off within three minutes of Forsberg's goal, but the Predators kept pressing with Josi scoring Nashville's first power-play goal of the series for the win.
"Going out for the third, I think our guys stepped on the gas a little bit more," Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said.
Ducks goalie John Gibson made 38 saves, and Corey Perry scored a power-play goal in the second period for Anaheim.
"Gibby played well for us," Perry said. "He kept us in that game."
Game 4 is Thursday in Nashville.
Forsberg tied it up with his third goal in as many games. When officials first waved off a would-be goal by Colton Sissons at 6:25 and then Ryan Johansen's goal at 6:33, fans started tossing towels onto the ice.
Chris Wagner went to the box for high-sticking Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis with 3:55 left in the Ducks' offensive zone.
Nashville had been 0 of 11 on the power play in this series. Josi ended that drought with his wrister from the right circle off an assist from Viktor Arvidsson.
Nashville, 10-3 this postseason, has yet to lose consecutive games.
"We're a confident team," Josi said. "We know what we can do in the room ... Nobody panicked. We knew we played a good game, and we had a lot of chances, a lot of shots. We need to play the same way, and they're going to go in some time."
The Predators didn't hold back on star power for the biggest game in franchise history.
Keith Urban performed the national anthem, the latest country star to take a turn, and his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, joined him in the stands decked out in her own Predators' sweater.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota waved the rally towel along with his offensive linemen from the band stage. Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan held up a big catfish, and Urban later was shown on the video board holding up a big catfish. It's Nashville's answer to the octopus Detroit fans traditionally throw on the ice for good luck.
The Ducks finally got the faster start they missed in the first two games in Anaheim, outshooting Nashville 8-4 to open the game.
But the Predators took the next 11 shots and outshot Anaheim 40-20 for the game.
"We didn't play anywhere near where we're capable of playing," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "And we received the game a lot. But we still had a chance. And that's the most encouraging part, because we can play better than what we played tonight. We know that."
The Predators held the Ducks without a shot throughout the second period until 8:12 left when Brandon Montour put a backhand on Rinne, a puck that went across the goal line.
But the net came off its moorings at the same time with Ekholm crashing into it. Referee Brad Meier immediately waved off the goal, which was upheld on review.
Anaheim got the man advantage after Predators forward Cody McLeod fought Jared Boll of the Ducks, upset at a hard hit on teammate Harry Zolnierczyk. That earned McLeod an instigator penalty along with a game misconduct. Perry then squeezed a wrister past Rinne from a severe angle to the right of the net.
Notes: Perry tied Teemu Selanne (35) for the second-most playoff goals in franchise history. ... Josi and Ellis each had a point, giving them each 10 points this postseason, a Nashville record for defensemen. ... Toronto coach Mike Babcock was spotted at the game.
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Nashville Predators right wing James Neal (18) celebrates after a shot by Predators defenseman Roman Josi, of Switzerland, not shown, gets past Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) for the winning goal during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Also defending for the Ducks are Sami Vatanen (45), of Finland, and Cam Fowler (4). The Predators won 2-1 and lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) and Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) scuffle after the conclusion of Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Referee Brad Meier waves off an apparent goal by the Anaheim Ducks after the net was dislodged during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Arguing the call for Anaheim are Jakob Silfverberg (33), of Sweden, and Brandon Montour. At center is Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland. The Predators won 2-1 and lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson (42) checks Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson, of Sweden, below, during the second period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) blocks a shot as Nashville Predators left wing Pontus Aberg (46), of Sweden, and center Mike Fisher (12) watch for the rebound during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1 and lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47), of Sweden, falls on Nashville Predators left wing Harry Zolnierczyk (26) who falls on Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson as Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons (10) shoots the puck into the net during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The goal was not allowed. The Predators won 2-1 and lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, sprawls on the ice after the net was dislodged and a shot by the Anaheim Ducks that entered the net was disallowed during the second period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1 and lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59), of Switzerland, throws a towel into the crowd after they defeated the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) and Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (38), of Sweden, fall to the ice as a shot by Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, of Sweden, not shown, gets past for a goal during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1 and lead the series 2-1. Also defending for the Ducks are Sami Vatanen (45), of Finland, and Cam Fowler (4). (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, is greeted by teammates after scoring a goal during the third period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final against the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson sprawls on the ice after making a stop against Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) during the first period in Game 3 of the Western Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Country Music recording artist Keith Urban sings the National Anthem before Game 3 of the NHL hockey Western Conference championship series between the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press