Clarksville, TN – The struggling Nashville Predators let one slip away last night against the Phoenix Coyotes, 3-2, in a wild overtime finish.
After taking a 2-1 lead, Nashville’s Austin Watson put the Predators a man down with a penalty with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game. Arizona’s Christian Fischer scored the game-winner at 2:41 for the win.
The goal was reviewed and challenged by Nashville, but to no avail. Phoenix wins, 3-2. Nashville has lost three of the last four.
Anthony Duclair scored the first goal of the night at 12:42 of the second period, charging the net on a predators giveaway and scoring on Predator’s goalie, Juuse Saros.
Ryan Ellis, making his return to the Predators’ lineup on this road trip, scored with just ten seconds remaining in the second period on an assist from Scott Hartnell. It was Ellis’s first goal of the season and the teams went to the break, tied 1-1.
Each team had ample opportunity to score throughout the game, but solid goal tending by both Saros and Phoenix goaltender, Antti Raanta, kept the game close.
Raanta had 37 saves on the night.
The Predators took the lead just barely into the third period, when Craig Smith scored just 8 seconds into the period. Leading 2-1, Nashville went down a man when Austin Watson was called for interference. Nick Cousins tied the game at 2-2 with 2:49 remaining in regulation.
In overtime, Arizona was the better team controlling the puck and when Fischer scored, it was over. It was Fischer’s 11th goal of the season.
Nashville finishes this road swing on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.
