Filip Forsberg scored twice in the third period while Gustav Nyquist scored to extend his point streak to eight games as the Nashville Predators defeated the Dallas Stars on the road.
The Nashville Predators traveled to Texas for a big Central Division game as they faced off against the Dallas Stars. The Predators had a disappointing loss at home Thursday night to the Calgary Flames in a game that heard coach Andrew Brunette said "exposed us".
Nashville made some lineup changes ahead of tonight's game in Dallas, including giving backup Kevin Lankinen the start. The Predators also recalled forward Denis Gurianov from Milwaukee.
The Stars were without defenseman Miro Heiskanen who is listed as week-to-week with a lower body injury and goalie Jake Oettinger is still out with injury. Scott Wedgewood made his eleventh consecutive start in net tonight against the Predators.
The Predators got on the board first as Gus Nyquist scored his tenth goal of the season. An active forecheck tied up the Stars, and Nyquist stole the puck off Joe Pavelski's stick to score from the slot at 11:26. The Predators quickly got their first chance on the power play at 11:50 after Esa Lindell sat for an interference call. Nashville couldn't capitalize on the man advantage.
The teams played five on five until the end of the period when Alexandre Carrier went to the penalty box for a trip. The Stars weren't able to score on the first part of the power play chance before the period ended. The teams headed into the locker room with the Predators leading 9-6 in shots on goal and 1-0 on the scoreboard, but Dallas with just over a minute remaining on the power play.
The Predators were able to kill off the rest of the power play to start the second period. Mason Marchment was awarded a penalty shot at 2:27 after Luke Schenn was called for hooking, but Kevin Lankinen made the save.
It appeared the Stars had tied the game up at 6:35 on a Sam Steel score, but the goal was ruled no good after an offside challenge. Just over a minute later, Luke Evangelista scored on a two on one chance to give the Predators a two goal lead. The Stars answered back at 9:29 as Matt Duchene found Tyler Seguin coming down the slot for the score.
Another late penalty sent Juuso Pärssinen to the box with less than a minute to go in the second, and Jamie Benn immediately scored with a tip in goal on the power play. The period ended with the teams tied up 2-2.
The Predators took the lead at the beginning of the third period as Gus Nyquist found Filip Forsberg who scored to make it 3-2. Forsberg scored again at 7:30 with a wraparound goal to give Nashville a two goal lead. Jason Robertson got the Stars back within one goal at 10:21 on a quick entry into the offensive zone.
With two minutes left in the game, Wedgewood headed to the bench, and the Stars added the extra attacker. The Stars six fought to keep the puck in the offensive zone and get a shot past Lankinen to even the game. The Predators were able to hold off the Stars and get the win on the road in Dallas.
Predators Recall Denis Gurianov from Milwaukee
Predators' Young Players Navigating Ups and Downs of First Full NHL Season