Dallas, TX – The Nashville Predators were dominated by the Dallas Stars tonight, 5-1. Every aspect of the Dallas attack was on point as the Stars evened the series 2-2.
The two teams head back to Nashville for a Saturday afternoon matinee at the Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is at 2:00pm.
The Predators never knew what hit them as the Stars scored three goals within the first ten minutes of the game. Nashville didn’t help their cause any with four penalties in the first period, putting Dallas on the power play.
Roope Hintz, Alexander Radulov, and Andrew Cogliano all scored in the first period to jumpstart the Stars to a 3-0 lead. Mats Zuccarello sent Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne packing when he scored the fourth goal of the period for Dallas.
Juuse Saros would take over in goal and would stop 18 of 19 shots he faced on the night. Rinne is expected back in goal on Saturday.
The second period didn’t show the Predators any favors either, as Hintz put the Stars on top 5-0 after tapping in a feed from John Klingberg on the Predators doorstep, and the game was never in any doubt from here.
Roman Josi scored the lone Nashville goal at 8:11 of the third period to avoid the shutout. Final score, 5-1, Dallas.
Nashville outshot the Stars 35-29, but couldn’t crack Ben Bishop in goal for the Stars. Penalties continue to haunt this Nashville squad as it has all season long. Mattias Ekholm had two infractions on the night.
The Predators hope to turn things around this Saturday afternoon for game 5 of this series as it’s now become the best two out of three, with both teams splitting their home games.
Puck drops at 2pm.
