Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves while Ryan McDonagh scored the game wining goal to give the Nashville Predators their second big win over playoff likely teams in as many nights.
After an intense win last night over the Carolina Hurricanes that included a 64 save performance by Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators played a game tonight against another strong team in the Metropolitan Division. The Preds took the ice at PNC Arena against the 22-13-6 Washington Capitals.
The Capitals were also coming off a back to back game Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Caps won solidly and returned home for the back half of their back to back. Playing the Capitals means playing the once-in-a-generation talent Alex Ovechkin who has already collected 29 goals so far this season. Ovechkin is not the only offensive weapon on Washington's roster. Conor Sheary, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and a now healthy T.J. Oshie provide plenty of challenge for the defense.
Tonight the backup goaltenders got their chance in net. Charlie Lindgren got the start in net for the Capitals and Kevin Lankinen took his place in the pipes for Nashville.
The Predators have seen a surge in offensive production especially from Filip Forsberg who has scored 9 points in his last five games. Cody Glass, Colton Sissons, and Mattias Ekholm have had goals in their last two games. Nashville would need all the offensive success they could generate against a Capitals team that averages 3.34 goals per game. Defenseman Dante Fabbro returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for two games.
Game Recap
The game opened with good back and forth action for both team, but it was Tommy Novak who broke through winning a board battle and take the puck short side past Lindgren at 4:10.
Yakov Trenin committed a tripping penalty at 7:46, and the Capitals power play got the first man advantage chance of the game. Trenin, usually key penalty player spent the two minutes in the box while the other Predators killers worked to clear the puck and block shots. Just as Trenin exited the sin bin, Sonny Milano cleaned up a loose puck to tie the game at 9:52.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel headed to the penalty box at 11:33 for holding Cody Glass, and Nashville's power play took a turn on the man advantage. Nashville struggled to set up their power play, and the teams returned to five a side. Trenin made up for his earlier infraction with a net front tip in goal at 15:09 to give Nashville the one goal lead once again.
After a little dust up with Nino Niederreiter, Nicolas Aube-Kubel headed back to the penalty box for a retribution roughing call at 16:06. The crowd firmly disagreed with the call and a subsequent no call that landed a Caps player in Nashville's net during the power play. Washington was able to kill the penalty, and the teams finished out the period with back and forth play through the buzzer.
The second period opened with more play up and down the ice. Washington and Nashville exchanged fast paced opportunities through the middle of the period, but Lindgren and Lankinen held their ground. Lindgren made a point blank save on a Pärssinen chance, and a short time later Aube-Kubel drove through the defenders to tie the game at 11:07.
Nashville gave Washington their second power play chance at 12:43 as Alexandre Carrier was called for a slash. The Predators penalty kill managed the two minutes well, and the teams returned to full strength. The second period ended with Nashville edging out Washington 8-7 in shots on goal but the score tied.
The final period opened with a fast pace, but again, neither team could break through in the first half of the third. A hooking penalty by Colton Sissons gave Washington the man advantage at 10:17. Alex Ovechkin took three of his famous shots from the circle, but Lankinen made two big saves and Carrier blocked another chance to help the Preds survive the two minutes.
As time wound down, the pace once again ramped up. With just 3:16 remaining in regulation, Ryan McDonagh scored his first goal as a Nashville Predators making an incredible move in front of Lindgren to give the Preds a late lead.
Lindgren headed to the bench with a little over a minute and a half remaining in exchange for an extra Capitals attacker. Nashville buckled down defensively to hold on for the 3-2 win.
Game Notes
1. The Predators played a better game defensively tonight. Of course, not giving up 67 shots is an improvement, but the defense provided Lankinen solid support throughout the game and kept Ovechkin off the scoresheet.
2. Fatigue didn't affect the Preds. After a fast paced game last night in Carolina and sixty minutes of hockey tonight against another team with speed, Nashville played like they had plenty left in the tank. This was a "dig deep" win.
3. Is it time to believe? Two back to back wins against top teams could make the doubters question their assessment of this Predators team. It would still be an uphill climb to be assured of a playoff spot, but this team could become one to watch if they can continue to play this well against other obvious playoff contenders.