Unlike in Game 1, it was Nashville that took the early lead, 4:18 into the game, when Ryan Johansen snuck behind the Anaheim defense and beat goalie John Gibson on the breakaway.
Nashville made it 2-0 just after a power play expired, as Gibson completely lost sight of the puck and allowed James Neal to walk unimpeded to the net, where he dumped the puck inside the left post.
"Everybody says we go about it the hard way," said Gibson (30 saves). "As long as we get the job done, that's all we're worried about."
A Matt Irwin tripping penalty late in the first gave the Ducks some life, and they took advantage when Sami Vatanen hammered a slap shot from the right wing circle that dove inside the far post. It was the first power-play goal for the Ducks since Game 2 of the Edmonton series, breaking an 0-for-20 cold streak. It was also Vatanen's first goal since March 3.