Nashville Predators 3, Colorado Avalanche 1: Preds Mount 3rd Period Comeback

David Legwand’s goal with 1:14 lifted the Nashville Predators to a much-needed 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in their chase for one of the Western Conference’s final playoff spots, as the Preds trailed for a good part of the third before bouncing back. According to SportsClubStats, the victory gives Nashville’s chances a bump up to 16.3%.

The game was scoreless until early in the 3rd period, when Matt Duchene converted on a breakaway chance to get Colorado on the board. Things were looking a little bleak until a power play midway through the period resulted in a quick goal by Patric Hornqvist, as both he and Taylor Beck stormed the crease to go after a rebound. It required a review from Toronto to make sure it wasn’t kicked in, but the call on the ice stood.

Paul Gaustad added an empty-netter to round out the scoring, and Pekka Rinne made 23 saves for the win.

The Predators’ home stand continues Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, in what may well set up to be one of the biggest games in this rivalry’s history.

Random Observations

• Midway through the 2nd period with the game still scoreless, Taylor Beck pulled a spin-o-rama on his rush down the left slot. Sure, he didn’t score, but I can’t recall ever seeing a Predator even try that before.
• Paul Gaustad was outstanding on the faceoff dot tonight, winning 19 of 24. David Legwand? Not so much… (4 of 14)
• Legwand did have a tremendous effort worth noting earlier on, however, following up his own shot by going for the rebound and forcing a hooking call which put the Predators on the power play. The Avs are prone to taking penalties, and plays like that are golden.
• The Preds’ 29-game sellout streak ended tonight, but it was still a good-size crowd (16,211). If this was 2008, we’d be hoping for 12,000 on a Tuesday night against a lousy opponent.
• The crowd was into it during the third period, too, giving the Preds a full-throated TV Timeout Standing O in the late stages with the game tied.
• Without Colin Wilson & Gabriel Bourque in the lineup, the Preds really lack that individual who can create a scoring chance all on their own. Sure, it makes for boring hockey at times, but by and large the Preds played a pretty strong team game tonight.

Boxscore – Game Summary – Event Summary

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Nashville Predators

Colroado Avalanche