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Nashville Predators 2, Florida Panthers 3 (SO): Third Period Resurgence Not Enough to Redeem Preds

The Nashville Predators were looking to bounce back from their loss to the Coyotes with a win over the Florida Panthers. The lineup, still without Filip Forsberg and Rocco Grimaldi, saw the return of Miikka Salomaki along with the debut of Yakov Trenin. The changes didn’t stop there…

While the Preds had some chances during the first period, the first twenty minutes ended scoreless with the Preds only tallying nine shots on goal, while the Panthers managed five. Honestly, it was a quiet start to a Saturday night at home from the team and the crowd.

The second period went much like the first; the Preds saw some good chances and came close on a few but just couldn’t find the back of the net. The Panthers were the first to score late in the period with a power play goal from Denis Malgin. The Preds’ penalty kill could use some work this season.

Continuing the Preds’ second period woes this season, the Panthers managed to squeeze in another goal, this time from Brett Connolly, to put the Preds down two going into the third.

While not much was going the way of Nashville early in the third, Roman Josi did cut the Panthers’ lead in half, finally getting the Preds on the board halfway through the period. With the momentum swinging for the Preds, Kyle Turris tied the game with a power play goal. Pekka Rinne even had the assist. Regulation wouldn’t be enough to get this one done and the Preds headed for overtime for the first time this season.

The Panthers took a penalty late in overtime and the Preds had an opportunity to win this one, but ran out of time and headed to the shootout instead. Panthers take this one with the shootout goal from Vincent Trocheck. The Preds are back at it against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

Random Observations

  • For the record, I’m glad to see Joel Quenneville coaching again. I might regret that sentiment if the Panthers win tonight but for now I said what I said.
  • The Tire Barn is uncharacteristically empty for a Saturday night.
  • Smash’s birthday cake was the most exciting thing to happen so far.
  • Trenin making his debut and taking a penalty is cheeky. I dig it.
  • Stop shooting the puck at the goalie’s chest…it should be a movement.
  • This game has been…a game so far. Not much to write home about.
  • A lot of missed opportunities for the Preds here in the second. They just can’t seem to find the back of the net.
  • Kyle Turris for the box for too much flow…or high sticking.
  • Was that…did Ryan Johansen almost just have a break away shorty?
  • Spend too much time on the penalty kill and the Panthers are bound to bite…yeah I’ll see myself out for that one.
  • Annnnnd the Panthers get another one. Pekka Rinne did not like that one bit. Ouch. You okay Pekks?
  • This third is going a lot like the rest of the game…slow, and not much going the way of the Preds.
  • Roman Josi cuts the Panthers’ lead in half and I stand corrected.
  • If the Preds could do the power play thing where they score I would very much appreciate it.
  • THANK YOU KYLE TURRIS!!!!
  • Pekka Rinne with the power play assist—this game is weird.
  • To overtime we go, for the first time this season.
  • And overtime won’t do it…to the shootout.
  • Welp that was underwhelming. /

OTF’s Stars of the Game

  • Hockey Pups — Happy Birthday, Smash! And Happy Retirement to the precious service dog, Duncan.
  • Everyone who came out on a cold rainy Saturday to watch this game.
  • Kyle Turris — He’s coming for all his haters this season.
  • Honorable Mention — Pekka Rinne for the assist on the Turris goal, because goalie assists are everything. /

Tweets of the Game