Yakov Trenin, Kiefer Sherwood, and Mark Jankowski scored in regulation, but it was Juuso Pärssinen's overtime goal that stole the show in the win over the Minnesota Wild.

The Nashville Predators welcomed the Minnesota Wild to Bridgestone Arena tonight in Nashville's second to last game of their season. While they have been eliminated from the playoffs, head coach John Hynes emphasized that there is still plenty for this Predators team to play for. 

The Wild locked up their playoff spot but played tonight without former Predators Ryan Hartman who is serving a one game suspension for a hit on Nikolaj Ehlers in the Wild's Tuesday night game against the Winnipeg Jets. The Wild also rested a number of their stars including Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, Matt Boldy, and Marcus Johansson. Filip Gustavsson got the start in net for the Wild. 

Nashvile's lineup remained very similar with the exception of Rasmus Asplund in for Egot Afanasyev who headed back to Milwaukee. 

Game Recap

The Predators earned an early quality chance as Luke Evangelista tried to tap the puck past Gustavsson, but the Swedish goaltender prevented an early goal. Juuse Saros made a few early saves as well. 

Minnesota earned the first chance on the power play at 7:07 as Cal Foote was called for a trip. The Predators penalty kill maintained possession, and Mark Jankowski scored shorthanded at 8:02. Nashville was able to kill off the remainder of the penalty, and the teams returned to five a side. 

Nashville went on the power play at 10:33 as Kiefer Sherwood drew an interference call. The Preds struggled to set up initially, but then pressured as the power play wound down. Gutavsson again came up with saves on two high danger chances before the penalty expired. 

The Wild scored as soon as they returned to full strength when former Predator Freddy Gaudreau scored at 14:19 to tie the game. Nashville retook the lead minutes later when Kiefer Sherwood cleaned up a loose puck at 16:19. 

Nashville's power play got their second chance as Colton Sissons took a high stick at 16:29, but the Preds couldn't convert again on the man advantage. The period ended with the Predators leading the shot count 12-5 and by a score of 2-1. 

The second period began with back and forth action until the Predators set up and peppered Gustavsson and a tired Wild defense. The Preds generated a handful of shot chances but couldn't finish on them. Tyson Barrie got his stick tangled up with a Wild player and in the ensuing net front scrum, Freddy Gaudreau scored again at 10:46. 

With 4:36 remaining Jon Merrill headed to the penalty box for a slash giving Nashville their third try on the power play. Again the Preds struggled to get the power play set up and only recorded one shot on goal before the two minutes expired. The middle period ended with the teams tied 2-2. 

The final period began with another stretch of offensive pressure by the Predators, but goaltending by Gustavsson thwarted the chances Nashville generated. Sloppy play by the Preds through the neutral zone resulted in turnovers, but the Wild couldn't capitalize on the change in possession. 

Juuso Pärssinen caught the Wild in a line change, and Yakov Trenin scored on the two on nine at 14:04. Immediately, a turnover in front of Saros resulted in a flying puck that ended in the back of the net to tie the game once again. 

A flurry in the final minute of regulation tested Saros, but he managed to defend the net and the teams headed into overtime. Juuso Pärssinen scored the game winner with a through the legs shot to give Nashville the win. 

Game Notes

1. Not the power play's best night. While the Preds haven't scored lately on the man advantage, they have been able to set up and generate quality chances. Tonight they struggled at times to establish possession in the offensive zone, something the coaching staff will want to see cleaned up before tomorrow's game against Colorado.

2. Juuso Pärssinen's second game back was a good one. Pärssinen caught the Wild in a line change to set up Yakov Trenin's goal and if that weren't enough let's talk about...

3. That game winning goal.  Pärssinen's game winner was a highlight reel between the legs shot that will be an exclamation point to his return to the lineup.