Clarksville, TN – The Nashville Predators defeated the Winnipeg Jets in a wild one tonight at the Bell MTS Place, 6-5, with Ryan Hartman scoring the winning goal, with just one minute left in regulation.
Hartman was acquired on Monday, from the Chicago Blackhawks, and was playing in his debut game with Nashville.
The two points came over their nearest Central Division rival, and is the start of a Canadian road trip that will include games against Edmonton and Vancouver this week.
Nashville’s Craig Smith would bring the Predators back with his goal at 8:55 of the second period, tying the game at 1-1. The goal was a rebound from a Roman Josi shot on goal.
There would be seven goals scored between the two teams during the second period.
Mark Scheifele would put the Jets back in front at 12:41 of of the second with his goal, assisted by Jack Roslovic and Kyle Connor. Jets would lead, 2-1.
Scheifele would give the Jets a two goal lead at 14:23 of the second, scoring on a wicked snapshot and Winnipeg would take a two goal lead, 3-1.
Nashville’s Kyle Turris would bring the Predators back to within a goal at 15:07 of the second with his wrist shot, to make the score, 3-2. Turris was assisted by Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi.
Mattias Ekholm would tie the game, 3-3, at 17:08 of the second period. Ekholm was assisted on the goal by Calle Jarnkrok and Roman Josi, and the Predators picked up the momentum of the game.
The Jets would not go quietly into the night though as Nikolaj Ehlers put the Jets up by a goal at 17:39 of the second period, beating Rinne for a 4-3 lead. Ehlers was assisted by former Chicago Blackhawk, Patrick Laine, and Ben Chiarot.
Ten minutes into the third period, Winnipeg would take another two goal lead as Paul Stastny, acquired earlier in the day, would score his first goal as a Jet, giving Winnipeg it’s second two goal lead of the night, 5-3.
It’s at this point that the Nashville Predators would seize control of the contest.
At 10:55 of the final frame, Nashville’s Craig Smith would score his second goal of the night, on a wrist shot, taking a pass from Yanick Weber to once again bring the Predators to within a goal, making the score 5-4.
Ryan Johansen would tie the contest at 13:57 of the third period with a goal and suddenly the game was tied, 5-5. Johansen was assisted on the goal by Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi.
With time ticking down and the game looking as though it would go to overtime, newly acquired forward Ryan Hartman would secure the Predators win, scoring into an open net at 19:00 of the third and Nashville took a 6-5 lead. The goal was assisted once again by Roman Josi.
The Predators return to action on Thursday night visiting the Edmonton Oilers. Puck drops at 8:00pm.
