The Nashville Predators defeated the Seattle Kraken, 5-3, Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.
Filip Forsberg scored twice, and Luke Evangelista, Michael McCarron and Brady Skjei each added one goal apiece. Seattle took a 1-0 lead just 32 seconds into the game, but Nashville responded with four unanswered goals to carry a commanding lead into the third period.
Steven Stamkos, who snapped his career-long 13-game scoring drought in Tuesday's win over the Boston Bruins, added a pair of assists against the Kraken and now has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in his last two games.
Juuse Saros stopped 22 of 25 shots to earn his 15th win of the season, while Joey Daccord made 29 saves for Seattle in the loss.
How the Predators Lined Up vs. Seattle
Stamkos-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Forsberg-Sissons-Marchessault
Jankowski-Svechkov-Smith
Lucchini-McCarron-Wiesblatt
Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Stastney
Englund-Barron
Saros
Annunen
Extra: Vrana, Oesterle
IR: Lauzon, Wilsby, L'Heureux, Josi
The Predators claimed forward Jakub Vrana (Washington Capitals) and defenseman Jordan Oesterle (Boston Bruins) off of waivers Thursday afternoon, but neither suited up against the Kraken.
Predators vs. Kraken: Pregame Notes
- Juuse Saros has 285 high-danger saves entering play Thursday, the second most among all goaltenders this season behind the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin (291), according to NHL EDGE.
- Predators forward Jonathan Marchessault is skating in his 700th career NHL game.
- The Kraken enter Thursday's contest with an 82:43 shutout streak against the Predators, their longest active run against a single opponent.
Predators vs. Kraken: Live Updates
First Period (NSH 1, SEA 1)
The Kraken started with a strong offensive zone shift and got rewarded with the opening goal just 32 seconds into the game. Adam Larsson drifted into the slot and finished off a rebound from a Vince Dunn shot to give Seattle an early 1-0 lead.
After giving up the first goal, however, the Predators were all over the Kraken in their zone. Nashville finally capitalized on a turnover by Dunn, and Filip Forsberg rifled a shot past Joey Daccord to make it 1-1 at the 7:15 mark.
Nashville had the 15-7 shot advantage at the end of the first period.
Second Period (NSH 4, SEA 1)
The Predators took their first lead of the game at 3:33 of the second, when Brady Skjei beat Daccord with a shot from the high slot to make it 2-1.
Forsberg followed it up with his second of the night just over two minutes later, when his centering pass was tipped in by a Seattle defender to extend Nashville's lead to 3-1.
With nine seconds remaining in the period, Michael McCarron collected the puck behind the Seattle net and snuck a wrap-around attempt over Daccord's right pad to make it 4-1. Ozzy Wiesblatt, skating in his fourth game for the Predators, earned an assist on the goal for his first NHL point.
Third Period (NSH 5, SEA 3)
With Forsberg in the box for hooking, Jaden Schwartz set up Jared McCann for the score with six seconds remaining on the power play to cut the deficit to 4-2 at the 13:31 mark.
With Daccord pulled for the extra attacker, Luke Evangelista received a long pass from Steven Stamkos and scored into the empty net at the 17:15 mark.
Eyssimont got one back for Seattle with a redirection at 18:14 for the 5-3 final.
They Said It
Skjei on the win...
“I thought after that first shift, we really played a solid game. We got a little loose at the end, but for the most part, those first two periods were really solid, and you could tell we were contesting a lot of pucks…getting a lot of chances, and it was nice to get rewarded with some goals, so we should be proud of our effort. I think we can clean up a few things at the end, but overall, I'd be happy with the win.”
McCarron on what Nashville did well...
“I thought we were good in three zones. I thought we were hungry on pucks and were wining a lot of puck battles. We were tenacious on the puck. I think playing with [forwards Jake Lucchini and Wiesblatt], those two guys made it pretty easy for me tonight. They were all over pucks. I thought our [defensemen] moved the puck well. It was a good, 60-minute effort for the most part.”
Forsberg on Nashville's recent offensive success...
“Obviously we’ve certainly not been blessed with [offense] all season. If we can take that with us and at least keep doing that, I thought we did a lot of good things to create chances today too. Could’ve had more, but it’s always nice to see them go in for sure.”
Head coach Andrew Brunette on the play of Wiesblatt...
“I loved his game. Exactly what we're hoping for and looking for, hoping for. Every time we see him, he's more comfortable. I thought he was a major factor. We need his energy, a little bit like Cole Smith. He kind of brings that kind of energy, that speed. He's on top of pucks. There's no room when he's there. He made some really nice plays. So, it was great to see him. I thought he was outstanding tonight.”
McCarron on the NHL trade deadline coming Friday at 2 p.m. CT...
"Guys that have been around know how to handle it. It's not always great when your name is being thrown around, but I just handle it by coming to the rink every day. It's easier to be around the guys. It makes you feel better when you're at the rink rather than sitting at home and going through your thoughts."
Up Next
The Predators will host the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday at 7 p.m. CT at Bridgestone Arena.