Predators - 3, Flames - 2 (SO): Saros, Novak Steal Shootout Win, Eliminate Flames from Postseason
Egor Afanasyev scored his first NHL goal and Zach Sanford chipped in another regulation score, but it was the performance of Juuse Saros and Tommy Novak in the shootout that gave Nashville two points and eliminated the Calgary Flames from the postseason.
After Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Nashville Predators headed to Calgary to play their final road game of the regular season against Tyler Toffoli, Nazem Kadri, and the 37-27-16 Calgary Flames.
Forward Juuso Pärssinen, who has been out since late February with an upper body injury, returned to the lineup tonight against the Flames. Juuse Saros got the start in net for Nashville.
Game Recap
Both Saros and Calgary's goaltender Jacob Markstrom came up with big saves early in this must win game. Egor Afanasyev opened the scoring at 5:49 with his first NHL career goal on a spin around shot from the slot.
Tyler Toffoli was called for a high stick at 7:34 giving the Predators the first power play opportunity of the game. The power play unit created four quality chances, but the two minutes expired without a goal. Just two and a half minutes later, Yakov Trenin headed to the box for tripping, and Calgary took their first turn on the man advantage. The Flames put two shots on net but couldn't capitalize on their first power play either.
Nashville's second power play chance came at 16:08 due to a hold by Nikita Zadorov. Again, the Predators set up and generated good chances but were unable to finish with a score. The first period ended with Nashville leading in shots on goal 14-11 and on the scoreboard 1-0.
An early penalty in the second period committed by Dillon Dube for a high stick gave Nashville their third power play at 2:17. Again, the Preds spent much of the two minute opportunity in front of Markstrom with possession but unable to score. The physical game resulted in Jonathan Huberdeau committing a retaliatory infraction at 5:33. Nashville's fourth power play attempt couldn't convert. As soon as those two minutes expired, Huberdeau skated out of the box and in front of Saros. His screen prevented Saros from seeing Troy Stecher's shot that tied the game at 7:41.
Ryan McDonagh sat for two minutes for a high stick at 9:17. Nashville's penalty kill battled to keep the Flames's near constant pressure away from the net. A tired PK unit skated off the ice after the successful kill.
A scramble after the puck resulted in Zach Sanford heading to the penalty box at 17:25 fora. tripping call. The Flames couldn't convert, and as soon as the teams returned to five a side Brandon Tanev turned around and headed to Calgary's penalty box for a hold. Time expired in the second period leaving the Predators with 1:37 of power play time upcoming in the third.
The remaining power play did not start well in the third period as Calgary pressured the puck and Tyson Barrie headed to the penalty box disrupting a shorthanded chance. The teams played four on four for :32 seconds and then Tanev joined his team for the Flames' remaining power play. Nashville killed off Calgary's man advantage, and the teams returned to full strength.
A quick flurry in front of the net resulted in Zach Sanford finding the loose puck in the blue paint and sweeping it behind Markstrom to give the Predators a 2-1 lead. Nashville had very little time to celebrate their lead. At 8:03 a turnover in the defensive zone resulted in a goal by Mikael Backlund at 8:03.
A high stick committed by Blake Coleman sent Nashville back on the power play for the sixth time at 10:21. A more aggressive penalty kill by the Flames kept Nashville outside the zone or around the perimeter of the offensive zone.
As the third period wound down it was Calgary that pressured offensively. Extended zone time for the Flames couldn't give them the regulation go ahead goal, and the game headed to overtime.
Tense back and forth three on three play for five minutes ended with neither team able to secure their postseason hope. The win came down to a shootout.
Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the first round for Calgary, but Cody Glass scored on Nashville's third shot to keep the shootout going. Mikael Backlund missed his attempt in the fourth round, and Tommy Novak scored on Markstrom to eliminate Calgary and keep the Predators thin postseason hopes alive.
Game Notes
1. Another dramatic win for this plucky Preds team. It looked on paper and in the final moments of regulation that the Flames were going to wrap this must win game up, but this Nashville team has plenty of fight left in them.
2. The second period slump continues. Nashville struggled yet again to score in the second period despite four plus minutes of power play time. The Preds haven't scored a goal in the second period since April 1 but have allowed six goals by their April opponents.
3. Nashville's power looked like an chocolate Easter bunny - amazing but hallow inside. The Preds had quality zone time, good passing, and some decent attempts, but if the team can't actually score once on six chances you are biting into air. They need to finish on the man advantage to finish strong this week.
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