NHL

Ducks bounce back, beat Predators 3-0 to pull within 2-1

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Anaheim Ducks left wing Jamie McGinn (88) celebrates with Simon Despres (24) and Chris Stewart, center, after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game 3 in an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (The Associated Press)

Anaheim Ducks left wing Jamie McGinn (88) scores against Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, in the first period of Game 3 in an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (The Associated Press)

Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31), of Denmark, watches as Nashville Predators forward Mike Fisher (12) closes in during the second period of Game 3 in an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (The Associated Press)

Frederik Andersen made 27 saves, and the Anaheim Ducks shut out the Nashville Predators 3-0 Tuesday night to pull within 2-1 in their first-round playoff series.

The Ducks have not lost three straight to open a postseason series since the 2006 Western Conference finals, and they didn't come close to dropping a third straight this year.

Andersen, who started in net after John Gibson took the first two losses in Anaheim, posted his second postseason shutout despite taking Shea Weber's slap shot off his head.

Chris Stewart had a goal and an assist, and Jamie McGinn and Rickard Rakell each scored their first goals of the series.

Game 4 is Thursday night in Nashville.

The Predators returned home with their first 2-0 lead in the postseason. The Predators lost center Craig Smith to a lower-body injury after he played only 65 seconds over two shifts, leaving coach Peter Laviolette mixing up his lines.