The Preds sought some redemption tonight in Boston after dropping an ugly game to the Senators on Thursday. However, they got off on the wrong foot when Viktor Arvidsson took a penalty early in the contest. The Preds killed off the penalty, but neither side was unable to establish much momentum.
Boston was penalized with 12:45 left in the first period, but the Predators had no luck on the power play. They were also unsuccessful on another power play late in the period.
Much of the second period went by without incident, but a weird goal by Boston put the Bruins up with 12:30 left in the period. Pekka Rinne stopped the initial shot, but lost sight of the puck and a crashing Par Lindholm bodied it into the net with some help from Kyle Turris’s knee.
The Predators returned to the power play midway through the second period. Two excellent chances were stopped by Boston goalie Jaroslav Halak, and Craig Smith was whistled for a penalty to put the teams at 4-on-4. Roman Josi tied the game with a gorgeous backhander over Halak’s shoulder.
Patrice Bergeron potted Boston’s second goal of the game on the power play with under a minute left in the second period.
On a delayed penalty, Filip Forsberg tied the game on Halak’s short side with a quick tap-in. Less than a minute later, a puck leaked through the middle of the ice and Roman Josi chased it furiously. Out of his net, Halak challenged Josi from in between the circles, but Josi managed to wire the puck into the net from the boards.
With a one-goal lead, the Predators were content to defend and frustrate the Bruins in the remaining minutes of the game. The Bruins pulled Halak with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. A tipped puck leaked past Rinne and the Bruins tied the game once again.
Both the Predators and the Bruins traded massive chances in overtime. Ryan Ellis smacked home a beautiful centering feed from Ryan Johansen to end it with less than a minute remaining in the overtime frame.
Random Observations
- Poor Arvi. Right to the box on his first shift.
- Lots of back and forth in this contest.
- Did Pekka just use his head against a puck?
- Ekholm dropping f-bombs on FS-TN.
- The second power play looks a lot better than the first attempt.
- Uh, Pekka?
- Matt Duchene feels like he’s getting back to his old self.
- Fors-butt.
- What a backhander by the captain. WOW.
- Holy holy Roman Josi.
- OMG Pekka.
- Filip Forsberg continues to threaten in this game.
- Johansen and Järnkrok doing some serious hustling.
- Deep breath.
- Bruins score.
- Point acquired.
- Ryan+Ryan=goal.
- Let’s go home. /
Super Duper Stars of the Game
- Roman Josi: After a disappointing finish in Ottawa, the captain put his team on his back with two goals tonight.
- Filip Forsberg: What a sneaky tally by #9.
- Ryan Ellis: Ellis smacked a beautiful goal past Halak to end the game in overtime for Nashville.
Tweets of the Game
Well, the Bruins are playing like one of the best teams in the NHL so far.
Keeping Pekka Rinne very busy. Still no score.— Paul Skrbina (@PaulSkrbina) December 22, 2019
Anders pic.twitter.com/i9fycgpnhk
— Bryan Bastin (@projpatsummitt) December 22, 2019
In addition to extending his goal streak to a career-high four games, Roman Josi now has four multi-goal games this season, the most among NHL defensemen. #Preds
— Nashville Preds PR (@PredsPR) December 22, 2019
ROMAN JOSI IS COMING FOR YOU JOHN CARLSON
— Bryan Bastin (@projpatsummitt) December 22, 2019