After a disastrous 9-2 loss on Thursday night, the Predators responded with a 5-2 win over the St Louis Blues.
The Nashville Predators were in need of a bounce back win after an abysmal performance Thursday night at home against the Dallas Stars. The Predators headed to St. Louis to take on the Blues who sat four points ahead of Nashville in the wildcard race. Colton Sissons, Luke Evangelista, Filip Forsberg, Luke Schenn, and Ryan O'Reilly scored for the Predators while Juuse Saros stopped 25/37 shots.
Andrew Brunette made some lineup adjustments ahead of this afternoon's Central Division matchup.
Nashville immediately came out with a much better start than they had Thursday. Colton Sissons got the Predators on the board at 4:11 as he snuck into the zone to intercept a clearing pass and scored on Jordan Binnington. An interference call on Alexey Toropchenko gave the Predators their first power play chance at 14:33, but Nashville couldn't convert.
Late in the period Yakov Trenin sat for a boarding call, and the Blues potent power play went to work. Just :39 seconds in, Jeremy Lauzon was called for a high stick and the Predators were forced to play five-on-three. With one second left on the two man advantage, Jordan Kyrou scored off a perfect cross ice pass from Robert Thomas to tie the game late in the first period.
The second period went back and forth before Luke Evangelista broke the tie with a breakaway goal at 13;09. Cody Glass was whistled for a hook at 17:46, and during the penalty kill Jake Neighbours was awarded a penalty shot after being taken down by Luke Schenn on a breakaway chance. Saros made the save on the penalty shot, and the Predators escaped the second period with a one goal lead.
Feb 17, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY SportsSammy Blais gave Nashville a power play opportunity in the third period, and Filip Forsberg cashed in with a wrist shot from the circle at 6:48. Just under a minute later Luke Schenn scored with a shot from the point to give Nashville a 4-1 lead.
At 12:52 the Blues made it a two goal game as the puck deflected past Juuse Saros off of Nathan Walker. Jordan Bennington abandoned the net with four minutes remaining, and the Blues brought on the extra attacker. Saros came up with big saves under pressure, and with 1:32 left Ryan O'Reilly scored an empty net goal to make the final score 5-2.