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HomeSportsNashville Predators drop third straight in 5-4 loss to Winnipeg Jets

Nashville Predators drop third straight in 5-4 loss to Winnipeg Jets

Nashville PredatorsClarksville, TN – The Nashville Predators managed to salvage a point in their 5-4 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets tonight, as Mark Scheifele scored the game winner, beating Juuse Saros for the Predators. 

The victory clinched a playoff berth for the Jets.

In one of the most exciting games of their five game series, the teams traded punches all night, and the lead. 

Roman Josi got the Predators started at 10:09 of the first period on a slap shot that beat Jets goalie, Connor Hellebuyck for the 1-0 early Nashville lead.  Ryan Ellis and Viktor Arvidsson assisted on the score.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) checks Nashville Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson (38) during the first period at Bell MTS Place. (Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) checks Nashville Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson (38) during the first period at Bell MTS Place. (Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Nashville then took a 2-0 lead as Kyle Turris scored on a wrister with .3 seconds left in the period.  Nashville controlled the first period and took the 2-0 lead to the locker room for the first break.

Winnipeg would come out in the second period with all guns blazing and their best cheap shots on display.  It was a “chippy” second period to say the least.

Kyle Connor would put the Jets on the scoreboard at 3:47 of the second period when his wrist shot be Predators goalie, Juuse Saros.  That would bring the Jets to within a goal, with the score 2-1.

Ryan Ellis would give Nashville another two goal lead at 6:43 of the second period, beating Hellebuyck with a slap shot to make the score, 3-1.  Kevin Fiala and Kyle Turris would assist on the play.

Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien, who had been roughing up Viktor Arvidsson all night, scored at 11:29 of the second period on a wrister that beat Saros and the Jets were back within a goal at 3-2.

After a Winnipeg goal had been disallowed for “kicking” it in the goal, the Jets would continue their pressure on the Predators.  Bryan Little tied the game at 13:53 of the second period his shot from the point and suddenly the score was 3-3 and the Jets had the momentum.  

Just when it looked like the Predators were trying to just get out of the second period and into the locker room for the break, Viktor Arvidsson would give Nashville a 4-3 lead on a backhanded shot at 15:18 of the period. It was Arvidssons 28th goal of the season.

The third period would be a wild affair, setting up what could be the most exciting first round series of the Stanley Cup playoffs between these two teams.

In the first minute of the third period, Blake Wheeler would score to bring the Jets even with Nashville, 4-4, and that’s how the game would end in regulation.

The overtime produced no goals so the teams went to the shootout, which was decided by Scheifele’s game winner.

Nashville returns home to host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. 

Puck drops at 7:00pm.

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