Clarksville, TN – The Nashville Predators have been living on the edge of late and tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames was no exception.
After taking a 2-1 lead, Nashville found itself trailing 4-3 in the third period, but was unable to draw even as time ran out, losing a rare home contest to the Flames.
The loss ended Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne’s point streak at 10-0-1.
Ryan Johansen started the scoring for the Predators at 13:45 of the first period tapping in a rebound for the 1-0 lead.
Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk then tied the game at 1-1 with just under 44 seconds remaining in the opening frame on a Flames power play. His back handed shot came after teammate Sean Monahan was hit by Mark Giordano’s shot.
Nashville then retook the lead when Yannick Weber scored at the 9:30 mark of the second period, after Viktor Arvidssons shot hit the post and Weber had a wide open net for the lead, 2-1.
Calgary would tie the game once again as Dougie Hamilton nailed a shot past Rinne at 14:30 of the second period and the game was knotted at 2-2.
Nashville has been struggling with its power play, going scoreless now for seven games.
Mark Jankowski put the Flames ahead 3-2 at 3:24 of the third period on a beautiful play with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, playing “tic-tac-toe” for the score.
Curtis Lazar would then give Calgary a two goal lead at 10:14 of the third on an unusual play, when his “wrister” would deflect off of Predator’s captain, Roman Josi’s stick, causing Pekka Rinne to misplay the shot. It would prove to be the game winner, and the score was 4-2.
Then, at 12:19 of the final period, Nashville’s Nick Bonino would draw the Predators within one, when he scored on a pass from Pontus Aberg, 4-3.
It looked as though Kevin Fiala may have tied the score with 9 seconds remaining in regulation when his shot appeared to cross the goal on the short side, but upon video review, it was determined that the goal never crossed into the net.
It proved to be the save of the night from rookie goaltender, David Rittich, who was making his second straight start.
Nashville plays host to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night, February 17th at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Puck drops at 7:00pm.
