James Neal Scores First Ever Game-Winner for Nashville Predators in Western Conference Final

It’s been a long existence without much success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Nashville Predators, but this is the year they could change that narrative.

And they’re already well on their way to doing so, as this game-winner over the Anaheim Ducks in overtime of Game 1 in the Western Conference Finals proves.

And the first-ever game-winner for the @predsnhl in the Western Conference Final goes to James Neal. #StanleyCup

A post shared by NHL (@nhl) on May 12, 2017 at 10:05pm PDT

James Neal has an absolute cannon of a shot, and he put it to good use in beating Anaheim goalie John Gibson on this blast.

Stealing the series opener on the road gives the Preds a leg up in their quest to get every first-time accomplishment checked off in one postseason by raising the cup in about a month’s time.