5 Keys: Predators at Jets, Game 6

PREDATORS at JETS
9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Jets lead best-of-7 series 3-2
WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets will advance to Western Conference Final for the first time with a win against the Nashville Predators in Game 6 at Bell MTS Place on Monday.

The Jets defeated the Predators 6-2 in Game 5 in Nashville on Saturday. Neither team has won consecutive games in the series and Nashville has not lost back-to-back games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
RELATED: [Complete Predators vs. Jets series coverage]
Here are 5 keys for Game 6:

1. Chance to advance

The Jets are preparing to face a desperate Predators team, but they aren't changing what has given them success throughout the regular season and playoffs.
"We're expecting their best game of the season," forward Blake Wheeler said. "But we haven't worried about the other team all year. We're not starting to worry about the other team now. We're extremely excited about our opportunity and it's this year, and this is a great opportunity for our team. Like I said, we're full-on expecting to play our best game of the season. It gives no guarantees, but if we play our best game it's going to give us a chance to win."

2. Predators need to be 'near perfect'

To force a Game 7 back in Nashville, the Predators believe they must play similar to how they did in Game 4, a 2-1 win.
"Near perfect is pretty much what it's going to take," defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "I think the two wins we've gotten have been the case in that situation. I mean, it's good defense, it's getting the right bounces at the right time. We've done it all year, I have no doubt in my mind we can do it again."

3. Healthy and dangerous

Jets forward Mathieu Perreault scored in Game 5 after missing eight games because of an upper-body injury. His return also allowed the Jets to keep their lines fresh by spreading out minutes.

"You can use four lines and that's always an advantage no matter who you're playing," Perreault said. "The fact that we can utilize all those minutes is an advantage to us."

4. A better Rinne

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne was pulled for the second time in the series during Game 5 after allowing six goals on 26 shots. Rinne also was pulled in Game 1 after giving up three goals on 16 shots.
Rinne is 6-5 with a 3.23 goals-against average, .897 save percentage and one shutout during the playoffs, and 2-2 with a 3.83 GAA and .895 save percentage in his past four games.

5. Jarnkrok returns, Hartnell back

Predators forward Calle Jarnkrok is expected to play after missing three games because of an undisclosed injury. He'll likely replace Ryan Hartman.

Forward Scott Hartnell, who played Game 4 but was a healthy scratch in Game 5, is expected in the lineup for Miikka Salomaki.

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Kyle Turris -- Craig Smith
Colton Sissons -- Nick Bonino -- Austin Watson
Scott Hartnell -- Mike Fisher -- Calle Jarnkrok
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban
Matt Irwin -- Yannick Weber
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched:Anthony Bitetto, Eeli Tolvanen, Alexei Emelin, Miikka Salomaki, Ryan Hartman
Injured:None

Jets projected lineup

Kyle Connor -- Mark Scheifele -- Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers -- Paul Stastny -- Patrik Laine
Brandon Tanev -- Adam Lowry -- Andrew Copp
Mathieu Perreault -- Bryan Little -- Joel Armia
Josh Morrissey -- Jacob Trouba
Toby Enstrom -- Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Chiarot -- Tyler Myers
Connor Hellebuyck
Steve Mason
Scratched:Tucker Poolman, Joe Morrow, Shawn Matthias, Marko Dano, Jack Roslovic, Matt Hendricks
Injured: Dmitry Kulikov (lower body)

Status report

Little missed the morning skate but Jets coach Paul Maurice said he's an option. ... Kulikov continues to skate with the Jets but is not expected to play.