Super sub Aberg provides timely jolt for Preds

ANAHEIM, California - Pontus Aberg spent most of the season in the minors and had a part-time depth role for the Nashville Predators in these Stanley Cup playoffs until injuries thrust him into a key role in Saturday's Game 5 of the NHL's Western Conference final.

And now the unassuming Swede has another new role as hero of the latest clutch victory in the Predators' increasingly irresistible chase for the championship.

Aberg scored his first career playoff goal with 8:59 to play as the Predators moved to the brink of their first Stanley Cup final with a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks to take a 3-2 series lead.