NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Predators are headed to their first Game 7 in franchise history after holding off the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on Monday night to force the maximum in this first-round series. The teams will next play Wednesday night in Anaheim.

How it happened: The Predators went up 2-0 in the second period on goals from Mattias Ekholm and James Neal, taking a lead they would not relinquish. Predators head coach Peter Laviolette loaded up his top line by adding Filip Fosberg to the unit of Ryan Johansen and Neal. The top-heavy trio had an impact and found the scoresheet on a pretty play when Johansen feathered a perfect pass to Neal on a two-on-one break for the eventual game-winner.

Corey Perry had a glorious chance in the slot to tie the game with about 6 minutes, 40 seconds to go in the third period but was denied by Pekka Rinne. Perry had a few dangerous chances in this game but couldn’t connect. He has yet to score in this series. Head coach Bruce Boudreau had resisted throughout the series but he finally reunited Perry with Ryan Getzlaf for a few shifts in the third period in an attempt to find some offense.

Rinne had a very strong game, which the Predators needed from their starting goaltender. He had been outplayed by his counterpart Frederik Andersen in the three previous games. He finished the night with 26 saves.

What it means: "Oh no, not again," is what some Ducks fans no doubt are saying. Anaheim has let a 3-2 series lead evaporate in the past three playoffs, dating back to their losses to the Detroit Red Wings in 2013, Los Angeles Kings in 2014 and Chicago Blackhawks last year. That will be the narrative now heading into Game 7 that the Ducks weren’t able to finish it off in six games yet again.

The Predators have made the playoffs nine times in the past 12 years but have never played in a Game 7. They’ll get their shot now and can relish in being the underdog trying to pull off the upset Wednesday night. No question the Ducks will be feeling more pressure.