The Predators headed to Edmonton for a matinee game, looking to rebound after a disappointing loss to Seattle, after a disappointing loss to Vancouver… This time, they made it.
The game got out to a poor start, as some early back and forth play led up to Jeremy Lauzon taking a penalty and Darnell Nurse scoring off a pass from former Pred Mattias Ekholm on the ensuing power play. Filip Forsberg got it right back, however, tying it 1-1 less than a minute later, just past the halfway mark of the period.
Nashville had a chance to build their lead as Vincent Desharnais sent the puck over the glass, but despite some good looks they were unable to convert on the power play. Still, undaunted, the Preds continued to press the attack as the period wound down, getting some shots on Jack Campbell but not converting.
They were rewarded 23 seconds into the second period, as Ryan O’Reilly scored to give the Preds a lead. Edmonton pushed back, but the Preds got a break as Alexandre Carrier was high-sticked by Evander Kane. Their improved power play was rewarded with a second O’Reilly goal, but Carrier then took a penalty of his own trying to defend Connor McDavid, and the Oilers went to the power play themselves.
Despite some yeoman’s work from the Preds’ penalty kill, including a heroic sequence of shot blocks from Lauzon, the Preds were unable to get a clear, and Zach Hyman deflected in a shot from Evan Bouchard to narrow the Preds’ lead to one again.
A penalty shuffle then ensued, as Philip Tomasino drew a hooking penalty with some determined skating, then Tommy Novak took a hooking penalty of his own on the power play, and then Filip Forsberg drew a too many men penalty with a smart shorthanded play just after Ryan McLeod exited the box after serving his penalty against Tomasino. The score remained unchanged at the end of this musical chairs sequence.
Edmonton seemed to take that personally. They trapped the Preds in their own end for well over two minutes–Dante Fabbro, Mark Del Gaizo, Liam Foudy, and Philip Tomasino were out for the entire time, and Juuso Pärssinen for most of it. The exhausted skaters did their best, and Kevin Lankinen had to make several huge saves before he finally managed to freeze the puck.
A few minutes later, Tommy Novak, who’d managed to relieve Pärssinen during the massive shift, finished off a nice passing play to make the score 4-2 Preds. It got the puck out of the Preds’ zone and added to the score cushion: a great defensive play from Roman Josi and Luke Evangelista. The period ended without further incident, and with more even play.
The Oilers started the third period strong, peppering Lankinen with chances. Leon Draisaitl managed to pick up a giveaway once the Preds made it out of their own zone, but fortunately shot wide. McDavid also shot wide a moment later. Play was interrupted when Kane hooked Pärssinen, who played it up; both headed off to the box and some four-on-four hockey commenced.
Play was back and forth again, before another Preds turnover gave the Oilers another chance. Again, Lankinen was able to make the save. The Preds went back up ice, and a few quick tries on Campbell later–including one uncredited goal–O’Reilly completed his hat trick. There were still over eleven minutes to go in the game, so fans didn’t relax just yet.
Although Edmonton tried to push back, the Preds were able to hold some time in the offensive zone. The clock ran down with Nashville still in control, Draisaitl held off the scoresheet entirely, and the Preds picking up the win.