The Predators didn’t get too great of a start in Calgary. Oliver Kylington scored his first NHL goal 1:13 into the first period to put the Flames up early. The Predators struggled to get the puck out of their zone and managed to take the first penalty. Nick Bonino was sent to the box with 11:31 left in the first. The penalty killers came up big for the Predators.
Calgary went on the penalty kill with 7:42 remaining in the first on a T.J. Brodie slashing call. The Predators were unable to convert with the man advantage, however. Right before the first period ended, Roman Josi and Colton Sissons were able to put a puck past Mike Smith to tie the game.
The Flames and the Predators traded plenty of chances early in the second period. Dan Hamhuis was whistled for a penalty and the Flames returned to the power play. The Predators once again killed off the penalty. In a wacky sequence, Garnet Hathaway chased Ryan Hartman into the Predators bench, punching away. Both were sent to the box and coach Peter Laviolette was rightfully incensed. Nothing transpired in the 4-on-4 time.
Sean Monahan put the Flames ahead with 3:18 left in the second period on a backhand. No one seemed to pick him up right in front of Saros.
Craig Smith countered with a quick wrist shot early in the third period. Both teams continued to bring the momentum in the third, including some chances by the Nashville fourth line. However, Hathaway managed to redirect a wide-angle shot into the net to put Calgary up with 13:54 remaining in the third.
The third period’s pace picked up with under ten minutes to go. After a breakdown in front of Saros, Alan Quine managed to put Calgary up by two on a turnover. The Predators played with a sense of urgency but could not find a way to make smart passes or connect on a goal.
Elias Lindholm connected with Johnny Gaudreau on an empty net goal with just short of 3 minutes remaining in the third. The Predators will return to Music City with no points on the road trip.
Random Observations
- Eeli Tolvanen as a healthy scratch?
- Well, that’s a deflating first goal.
- Ryan Hartman making his way down the bench is less than ideal.
- Hartman back on the bench. Give that kid some pain meds.
- Mike Smith scrambled for that save and got it.
- COLTON SISSONS! Sissons scored!!!
- I would have paid money to see Pekka Rinne jump on Hathaway there.
- A huge Saros save on James Neal!
- The Preds were just standing still on Monahan’s goal.
- OH CRAIG! Craig-nog time.
- Sissons almost had another!!!!
- That redirect was freaking ridiculous.
- The Predators can’t catch a break in this game.
- See above.
- Well, that sucks.
- Rocco Grimaldi just saved a goal.
- An early goalie pull by coach Laviolette.
- Elias Lindholm makes it 5-2 Calgary on an empty-netter.
- I can’t honestly agree with Chris Mason that the Predators are playing hard tonight. They look sloppy and out-of-sorts. /
Super Duper Stars of the Game
- Rocco Grimaldi: He gives 1000% in every game. He also saved a goal tonight.
- The training staff who keep the non-injured Predators healthy.
Tweets of the Game
Sissons scored!
— Hayley Alexandra 🦖 (@itsHalesYeah) December 9, 2018
Monahan probably a guy you want to put a body on when he’s in the slot with the puck.
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) December 9, 2018
The #Preds need to get some players back. With a quickness.
— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) December 9, 2018