Molendyk, Wall Score But Predators Lose to Panthers in Physical Showcase Game

Kevin Wall and Tanner Molendyk scored for Nashville, but the Predators lost 4-2 in a spicy game against the Florida Panthers prospects.

The Nashville Predators played their second game of the Southeast Rookie Showcase against the Florida Panthers in Estero, FL. Head coach Karl Taylor made a few adjustments to the starting roster for game two. Egor Afanasyev, Spencer Stastney, and Yaroslav Askarov were out of the lineup against Florida.

Kevin Wall got the Predators on the board quickly with a goal at 1:23, but what really stood out in the early minutes of the game was the physicality by both teams. That continued until a Florida penalty gave the Predators the first power play of the game at 6:45. The top unit of Kemell, Svechkov, Evangelista, L'Heureux, and Molendyk peppered the net but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. 

Halfway through the period, Florida ramped up their pressure, but Nashville goaltender Grigals — with some help from the crossbar — kept the puck out of the net. The Predators committed two penalties in the second half of the period, and at 4:40, the Florida power play made quick work of their second opportunity to tie the game with a tip in goal. Nashville had a late power play but couldn't convert quickly. The period ended with 1:04 carrying over on the Predators' man advantage, a 13-6 lead in shots on goal, but a tie game.

The Predators best chance on the remaining power play time came on a breakaway opportunity by Luke Evangelista, but Florida's goaltender came up with the big stop. As the teams returned to five a side, the game saw an increase in end to end action and chippiness. That chippiness spilled over as Nashville's Jack Matier and Florida's Riley Bezeau dropped the gloves.

Florida got another chance on the power play at 14:10, and McAllister quickly converted with a goal from the left faceoff circle. Minutes after, another fight broke out between Kalan Lind and Josh Davies and they headed to the locker room to wait out the period. A late trip by Navrin Mutter gave the Panthers five seconds on the power play before the period expired. Florida took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

Sandis Vilmanis scored quickly on the man advantage in the third carrying the puck through the neutral zone and shooting it past Grigals to give Florida a two goal lead. Adam Wilsby headed back to the penalty box at 6:30 for a cross check, but a slash on Luke Evangelista resulted in four on four play. Neither team could capitalize on the extra ice space. Tanner Molendyk scored for Nashville with a shot from the blue line to made it a one goal game. 

With 6:11 remaining, Riley Bezeau scored on a wide angle shot to give Florida a 4-2 lead. Nashville went back on the power play with 3:32 left in the game, and goaltender Grigals headed to the bench to make it a six on four opportunity, but a trip by Kemell resulted in Grigals back in net and four on four play once more. 

Grigals headed back to bench for the final minute of the game, but the game ended with a 4-2 Florida Panthers win.

Shootout: Grigals made all five saves. Navrin Mutter and Zachary L'Heureux scored on their shootout chances.