Predators - 3, Golden Knights - 2 (OT): Novak, Glass, and Goaltending by Lankinen Net Preds Two Points
A solid night in net from backup Kevin Lankinen and offense by Cody Glass and Tommy Novak earn the Predators two points and continued hope for a postseason chance.
The Nashville Predators returned home to Bridgestone Arena to take on the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday night. The Predators needed to put together a win to keep the postseason hope alive, while the Golden Knights looked to solidify their place atop the Pacific Division and Western Conference.
Nashville entered tonight's game off of a challenging 5-1 loss in Dallas last night to the Stars. Nashville hoped to bounce back with a very similar looking lineup with the exception of Kevin Lankinen in goal.
Vegas has dealt with injuries this season too. Last night Reilly Smith returned to the lineup for the Golden Knights and tonight Chandler Stephenson was back as well. Vegas has put together a 7-2-1 streak in their last ten games. Tonight Jonathan Quick took his place in net.
Game Recap
Kevin Lankinen and Jonathan Quick were each tested early in the game, but it was Jonathan Quick who gave up the first goal of the game at 6:50 as Tommy Novak lifted the puck over his glove. Nashville got the first power play chance of the game on a tripping call at 7:29. The Predators spent most of the two minutes in the offensive zone pressuring Quick but couldn't convert.
The Preds got a second chance on the man advantage again at 12:50, and this time Tommy Novak made short work of the opportunity by cleaning up a loose puck at 13:08.
A trip committed by Rasmus Asplund gave the Golden Knights their first chance on the power play at 14:22. Just :14 seconds into the power play, Ryan McDonagh joined Asplund in the box due to a high stick. Dante Fabbro, Kevin Gravel, and Colton Sissons along with Kevin Lankinen earned a roar from the home crowd as they manage to kill off both penalties.
The momentum of the kill carried over offensively as Tyson Barrie scored just seconds later, but the goal was called back for a kicking motion. The teams headed into their respective locker rooms with Vegas holding a 15-12 advantage in shots on goal but the Predators up 2-0.
The Golden Knights got on the board at 6:00 in the second period as the puck bounced off a Predators defender and leaked past Lankinen. Momentum shifted in Vegas's favor, and they dominated offensive zone time through the middle of the period.
Nashville finally caught a break from the pressure at 11:24 as Ivan Barbashev went to the box for a delay of game penalty. This time Nashville had more of a challenge getting set up in the offensive zone, and the two minutes passed without a shot on goal. Alex Pietrangelo tied up the game 2-2 shortly after the teams returned to full strength.
The second period ended with a score of 2-2 and Vegas outshooting Nashville in that twenty minutes 12-5.
The final period saw the Golden Knights come out with continued momentum early. The Predators struggled at times to compete their passes while Vegas couldn't get clean shots on net. Play went back and forth through the middle of the period.
With five minutes remaining, the Golden Knights generated a long shift in front of Kevin Lankinen, but the Preds were able to keep the puck out of the goal. Lankinen was called for a delay of game penalty, and Phil Tomasino headed to the box at 15:30 to serve the infraction. Nashville's penalty kill was able to hold off Vegas for the two minutes.
Nashville pressured late in the third, but couldn't get a goal past Quick sending the game into overtime. With 2:53 remaining in the overtime, Nashville earned a power play when Jonathan Marchessault was called for a hold. On the ensuing four on three, Cody Glass banked the puck off a defender to score the game winner at 3:30.
Game Notes
1. Tommy Novak continues to prove his NHL value. Two goals tonight add to his impressive point total in 46 NHL games this season. Novak has made a solid case for being a permanent fixture on Nashville's roster moving forward.
2. Kevin Lankinen made big saves under a lot of pressure. The 5 on 3 kill in the first period was a huge momentum boost for the Predators, and Lankinen's performance in net helped steal this win for the Preds.
3. Somehow the Predators hang on to postseason hope. There is really no reason that Nashville should even be in a conversation about a wildcard spot this season after losing key veterans and big players at the trade deadline and a long list of injuries. This Preds team isn't ready to give up, and the young players pushing to prove their worth are hungry to continue competing.
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