Nashville Predators Survive Late Rally by Carolina Hurricanes to Secure 5-2 Win

Led by three points apiece from Filip Forsberg (3 assists) and Jonathan Marchessault (2 goals, 1 assist), the Nashville Predators withstood a late comeback attempt by the Carolina Hurricanes to secure a 5-2 win Monday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Predators were in complete control with a four-goal lead early in the third period before giving up a pair of quick goals that brought the Hurricanes within two. But Juuse Saros made 25 saves (.926 SV%) and Marchessault potted an empty-net goal to help seal the win.

With the win, Nashville wraps up a four-game homestand with a 3-0-1 record and moves to 11-17-7 on the season.

How the Predators lined up vs. Los Angeles

Forsberg-Stamkos-Marchessault
L’Heureux-O’Reilly-Nyquist
Jankowski- Novak-Evangelista
McCarron-Sissons

Lauzon-Josi
Skjei-Blankenburg
Wilsby-Schenn
Barron

Saros
Annunen

Extra: Pärssinen
IR: Smith

The Predators went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen after announcing prior to Monday’s game that forward Cole Smith has been placed on IR and will miss 4-6 weeks with a lower-body injury he sustained during Saturday’s OT win over the Los Angeles Kings.

Justin Barron, acquired Wednesday in a trade that sent Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens, made his Predators debut after being healthy scratched in the previous two games.

Game Summary

Steven Stamkos got things rolling at 13:34 of the first period with his 10th goal of the season. After collecting the loose puck behind the Carolina net, Stamkos whacked it into the crease; Dustin Tokarski made the initial save ended up knocking the puck behind him into the net to give Nashville the early 1-0 lead.

The Predators commanded the offensive zone for nearly the entire second period, finally capitalizing with Marchessault’s first goal of the game at the 11:45 mark. Tommy Novak found Marchessault on the back door, and he punched it in to extend Nashville’s lead to 2-0 heading into the second intermission.

The Predators erupted for back-to-back goals in the first three minutes of the third period. Ryan O’Reilly gave the Predators a 3-0 lead 30 seconds into the frame on the power play with a shot from the slot, finishing off a tic-tac-toe passing play from Marchessault and Forsberg. Mark Jankowski extended the lead to 4-0 at 2:52 on a wrist shot from the right circle.

The Hurricanes, however, showed some life and answered with two quick goals of their own in a span of just 40 seconds. Jordan Staal spoiled the shutout bid at 4:37 of the period, scoring on a pass from Jordan Martinook behind the net. Sebastian Aho quickly followed and scored to finish off a 2-on-1 rush with Seth Jarvis.

The Predators were under siege for much of the third period, as they were down to 10 available forwards when the Hurricanes pulled Tokarski for the extra attacker, but they withstood the onslaught from the Carolina offense. Marchessault scored his second of the game into the empty net for the 5-2 final.

Key Takeaways & Notes

With his tally in the first period, Stamkos briefly tied Marchessault for the team lead in goals with 10. Marchessault retook the lead in the next period.
In his first three-point performance of the season, Forsberg assisted on three of Nashville’s five goals to retake sole possession of the team lead in helpers with 20 and extend his team lead in points to 29. He has recorded two or more assists in each of the last three games.
Marchessault has goals in four straight games and extended his point streak to seven games, tying a career high. He has 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) in that span.
Colton Sissons’ assist on Jankowski’s goal in the third period was his first helper of the season.

Up Next

After the holiday break, the Predators will kick off a six-game road trip Friday with a visit to the St. Louis Blues. The puck drops at 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast regionally on FanDuel Sports Network South and on NHL Network.

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