In a second-round slugfest between the NHL's two top heavyweights, the Predators expected Jim Thome Jersey there would be little margin for error. That margin turned out to be one inch to either side of PekkaRinne'spad and the goalpost.Tyler Myers' released a perfectly placed shot rehearsed, he said, during practice perpendicular to the goal line it cro sed8:41 into Thursday's Game 7, rattling the Vezina Trophy finalisand silencing the Bridgestone Arena crowd early.Paul Stastny'sequally fluky goal two minutes later and precipitated the rest of a 5-1 Jets win that sent them to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.For a series in which neither the Jets nor Predators , eventually, something had to give.GOLDEN STANDARDIts a shot we looked into before the serieseven started,". "You know weve had a couple like that. Fortunately, it went in.Rinne'souster after two soft goals on seven shots (10:47 into the game) was the quickest a goalie had been pulled in Game 7 history. He , but it was the Jets' stars who turned up the throttle.Mark Scheifele scored twice, setting his own NHL record with seven road goals in the series and taking over the 2018 postseason lead with 12 total. Stastny, acquired at the trade deadline, added two goals and an a sist, running his playoff total to 14 points in 12 games.And Connor Hellebuyck, a playoff rookie,, stopping 36 shots 21 of which came in the third period.On the contrary, the Predators' biggest names didn't rise to the occasion. Rinnewent 1-3 with an .848 save percentage at home during the series. Kyle Turris, Nashville's own big midseason trade acquisition, finished his postseason without a goal, tallying just a pair of a sist Zach Eflin Jersey against the Jets. They'll throw the Presidents' Trophy into the scrapheap, joining the majority of their predece sors who fell short despite incredible regular seasons.It's easy to forget the Jets finished three points behind the Predsfor the honor of top team in the NHL. That margin is meaningle s come playoff time, but Winnipeg is now the de facto top team remaining, even though they're the only of the NHL's final four that didn't come away with a division title.The Jets move on to hostthe Golden Knights on Saturday to begin the Western Conference finals, a team that's built around seizing the opportunity. Neither franchise existed, at least not in its current state, as recent as 2010. If Winnipeg's unprecedented run through the playoffs continues to the Stanley Cup Final, remember Myers' goal.Sporting News hadlive updates and highlights throughout the game. See below to find out how it unfolded. (All times Eastern.)Shots on goal: Predators 36, Jets 1910:42 p.m. It's over!The Jets have eliminated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Predators in Francisco Rodriguez Jersey decisive fashion with a 5-1 win. Winnipeg advancesto the conference finals for the first time in franchise history.10:36 p.m. GOAL . Mark Scheifeleburies an empty-netter with2:33 to go. With his second goal tonight, he leads the Stanley Cup playoff field with 12. And he also set a new NHL record with seven road goals in a playoff series.Mark Scheifele of the scored seven road goals in the Second Round to establish a Playoffs record for most in a single series. NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) 10:25 p.m. GOAL. There it is. Paul Stastny, trade deadline acquisition, gets his second goal and third point of the night with 8:01 to play. He has 14 points in the postseason, making GMKevin Cheveldayofflook awfully smart. Winnipeg leads 4-1. Nashville's season appears over.That's a 4-1 lead for the !Watch the Playoffs here NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) 10:24 p.m. The Predators aren't going to make it any easier on themselves. Ryan Johansentakes a slashing penalty with 8:28 remaining. A fourth goal for Winnipeg here would be the dagger.10:22 p.m. Mark Scheifeleis having some kind of playoffs andis now tied for the goal-scoring lead with 10, including six in the second round alone. He'll be among the Conn Smythe front-runners if the Jets keep advancing.Mark Scheifele has scored 6 goals in this series, all on the road.According to , his 6 road goals are tied for the most in a single postseason series in Stanley Cup Playoff history (8 other players have done it) ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) 10:11 p.m. Connor Hellebuyckdidn't see much action in the second period, but he's still dialed in here in the third, stopping all sixNashville shots so far including this beauty on a Kyle Turris backhand in tight. Turris is frustrated; he's yet to score a goal in these playoffs and doesn't have a point since Game 2 of this series.Hellebuyck is doing work in the third period. NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) 10:03 p.m. The third period has begun. Winnipeg is20 minutes away from itsfirst-ever trip to the conference finals.Second period: Jets 3, Predators 1 Shots on goal: Jets 17, Predators 16 9:46 p.m. The second period draws to a close. It was all Jets, who appeared as though they were on the power play and regain the shot advantage. Predators need a Dave Hollins Jersey big third-period comeback to save their season.9:43 p.m. Well, the Predators get another shot on the power play with 59 seconds left.Josh Morri sey is called for holding. Nashville is 1 for 3 so far.9:41 p.m. Mike Schmidt Jersey GOAL. The Predators pay for their period-long defensive-zone woes. Mark Scheifelecatches a cro s-zone pa s from Blake Wheeler and rips a shot past JuuseSaros to give the Jets their two-goal lead back. It's 3-1 with 2:10 to go in the second.Mark Scheifele restores Winnipeg's two-goal lead late in the second period. Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) 9:36 p.m. The Jets are all over the Predators in the second period. JuuseSaros has made two huge saves on Paul StastnyandKyle Connor to keep Nashville within a goal. Winnipeg holds an 8-3advantage in shots on goal in the period with under 3 minutes to play.9:20 p.m. What a save by JuuseSaros on Paul Stastny. He bailed outColton Si sons, who committed thenear-disastrous turnover in the defensive zone that left Stastnywith a point-blank opportunity in front. Remember that one later on.Saros denies Stastny. NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) 9:13 p.m. Entering Game 7,Jetsheld a lead for 52.5 percent of total game time at Bridgestone Arena compared to the Predators 15.6 percent. Nashville is playing from behind once again.9:11 p.m. The second period is under way.First period: Jets 2, Predators 1 Shots on goal: Predators 10, Jets 8 8:50 p.m. Credit to Peter Laviolette. He doesn