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There will be a handshake line tonight at Bridgestone Arena, and only one side will advance to the Western Conference Final.
Game 7 between the Predators and Jets comes this evening from Nashville, the first time the team has hosted such a contest in its 20 seasons of existence, and the winner will advance to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the conference final, while the other will see their season come to an end.
Nashville has already been victorious once in a must-win situation in this series, taking Game 6 in Winnipeg by a 4-0 final after suffering a 6-2 defeat in Game 5. The teams with the two best point totals during the 2017-18 regular season, Nashville versus Winnipeg has lived up to the billing, and now the two will face off one more time in a winner-take-all skirmish.
"In Game 7, goals aren't the only thing that will win the game," center Nick Bonino said. "Defense is the biggest factor. If we can defend well, if we can block shots and keep them out of our zone as much as we can, the little things like that will win the game. Hopefully we get a lot of goals, but it might be one or two goals that wins it and we need to find those."

Center Mike Fisher, who left Game 6 after the first period and did not return, did not practice on Wednesday. Head Coach Peter Laviolette did not have an update on Fisher's status.
In the veteran's absence, Calle Jarnkrok centered the fourth line with Scott Hartnell and Ryan Hartman on the wings.

Last Time Out:
Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson each tallied twice and Pekka Rinne made 34 saves in Nashville's 4-0 win in Game 6 to even the series at three games apiece. Neither team has won consecutive outings in this series and the home team has been victorious in just two of the six games thus far.
Forsberg's seven goals and 15 points lead the Predators in postseason scoring, followed by Ryan Johansen with 13 points and Viktor Arvidsson with nine points. Johansen, Arvidsson and Austin Watson have five goals each; P.K. Subban, Colton Sissons and Kevin Fiala have three goals apiece.

The Opposition:
As he has throughout the series, Mark Scheifele paces the Jets with nine goals and 14 points, followed by Blake Wheeler with 13 points, Dustin Byfuglien with 12 and Paul Stastny with 11. Byfuglien, Stastny and Brandon Tanev have each found the back of the net on four occasions. Connor Hellebuyck has backstopped the Jets to three wins in this series with his best performance coming in Game 1, a 4-1 win.
Game 7:
This will be the first Game 7 at Bridgestone Arena in franchise history. The Preds are 1-1 all-time in Game 7 with both instances coming in 2016. Nashville's only Game 7 victory came in the first round in 2016 against the Ducks, a 2-1 win at Anaheim.
Nashville Head Coach Peter Laviolette is 5-2 all-time in Game 7 in his career, while Jets Head Coach Paul Maurice is 2-0 all-time in Game 7.

Nick Bonino has played in five Game 7s in his NHL career, the most among any player who will skate in tonight's game. P.K. Subban and Scott Hartnell have each appeared in four Game 7s and 20 players on Nashville's current roster have skated in at least one Game 7 in their career.
The eventual Stanley Cup champion has won at least one Game 7 in each of the past five years.
When You Go:
Game 7, presented by Jaguar Land Rover Nashville, from Bridgestone Arena comes with a 7 p.m. CT start. A plaza party, presented by Lee Company, featuring the Smash Jet, presented by Price's Collision Centers, as well as inflatables, face painters, a Preds merchandise tent and live music begins at 4 p.m. CT.
Fifth Third cardholders with valid game ticket may enter the arena through the Nissan SoBro doors to access Jack Daniel's Barrel House at 4:30 p.m., before arena doors open to all ticket holders at 5 p.m. All fans in attendance will receive a Gold rally towel presented by Jaguar Land Rover Nashville.
For more information on all things postseason,
visit the Preds Playoffs Hub
.

Watch & Listen:
Tonight's game from Nashville may be seen on NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. The game can also be heard on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network.
Immediately following the game, turn over to Fox Sports Tennessee for Predators Live Playoffs Edition for full postgame coverage from Willy Daunic, Chris Mason, Lyndsay Rowley and Terry Crisp.
Streaming Info:
Listen to a Live Radio Feed
(only active during the game broadcast window).
Watch a live stream of the game on NBCSN
or
watch on NHL.TV