Nashville Predators: Salomaki’s two goals lift Predators over Panthers in overtime

Nashville Predators forward Salomaki notched two goals, including the game winner in overtime, leading to a three goal to two victory.

After two games and 120 minutes of time on the ice, the Nashville Predators completed their first exhibitions of the preseason. It could have been better. The first game was filled with penalties, and the Predators ultimately fell to the Florida Panthers.

The second game featured more of the same. In the first period alone, the Panthers were granted five power-plays due to Predators penalties. They only cashed in on one opportunity, as Vincent Trocheck beat Pekka Rinne with a slapshot from the left circle. With four minutes and 16 seconds left in the first period, the Predators trailed by a goal.

Things changed

The second period started with the Panthers still on a man advantage. Aaron Ekblad shot wide of the net, missing his team’s best chance to score. Rinne stood firm in the net, saving the next four shots he face. He was ultimately pulled to give Anders Lindback time between the pipes.

With all the penalties, the Nashville Predators went on a two-man advantage. Scott Hartnell played in front of the net, but Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen could not get the puck on his stick. It was the best scoring change the Predators faced in the second period.

That is until Miikka Salomaki lit the lamp 15 minutes and 20 seconds into the period. Anthony Binetto skated toward the right side of the net, then slid the puck to Salomaki. It was a beautiful move, ultimately tying the game at one goal each.

That opened the door for the rest of the Predators. After a forecheck Samuel Girard, the puck found its way to Colton Sissons with just over a minutes left to play. The refs could not overturn this one.

Final Twenty

With the Predators up by a goal, the third period took a new turn. Possession became the name of the game, with Nashville taking control. Quality shifts from Josi, Girard, and Hartnell kept the puck in the offensive zone. Josi sped passed the goal with a chance to score, but Samuel Montembeault prevented the goal.

Play remained consistent until Sissons was called for penalty. Lindback made several amazing saves to hold the Panthers at bay, getting the Predators back to even strength. However, Nashville committed more penalties, allowing more chances for the game to be tied again. At 12 minutes and 49 seconds into the third, a misplayed puck by Lindback found Jared McCann. He scored for the Panthers, conventing another power play opportunity.

As time ticked down, the Predators took chances, throwing the puck at the net. Austin Watson and Johansen saw chances to take the lead, but nothing found the net. At the end of regulation, the game remained tied.

The three-on-three session featured Pontus Aberg with Josi and Johansen. The trio looked smooth on the ice, with Aberg almost tallying the winning score. It just rebounded away.

After three minutes of overtime, Aberg and Josi finally were able to change the shift. And, as they changed, Salomaki found the puck. With an assist from Josi and Frederick Gaudreau, Salomaki hit the back of the net. The Predators won.

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Tale of the tape

At the end of the games, the Predators were out shot by the Panthers 26 to 16, and allowed the Panthers to convert two of nine power plays. The Predators did win 53 percent of the faceoffs, and proved to be a bit more physical with 17 hits.

All in all, Nashville showed moments of great play, possessing the puck. However, penalties are being called at an alarming rate. They will look to improve on those areas when they travel to Tampa Bay to play the Lightning on Friday.