5 – Fiala Scores Overtime Winner against Chicago
This top moment comes from the first round of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Nashville Predators were pitted against their division rival, The Chicago Blackhawks. To many people’s surprise Nashville won the first two games of the series. What was even more surprising was that Nashville did so by shutting out the Blackhawks. Next, the series shifted back to Nashville.
Despite not scoring in the first two games Chicago tallied first in Game three. Chicago managed two goals and held the lead entering the third. Filip Forsberg would answer for Nashville, though, as he scored two consecutive goals in the third period to send the game to overtime.
It is often stated that nothing is more stressful than overtime hockey, and this game was no different. Both teams exchanged chances as the fans held their breath. There was a lot riding on this game. Nashville had the chance to go up three games to none in the series. Whereas Chicago was looking to gain their first victory in the series and gain some momentum. However, as with much of the playoffs for the Predators, when they needed a young guy to step up, someone delivered. This time it happened to be Kevin Fiala.
Just over 16 minutes into the overtime period, Fiala took a pass from James Neal and was able to put it past goalie Corey Crawford. This goal put the dagger in the Blackhawks. They were giving the Predators everything that they had and it still was not enough. Fiala gave the Predators all the momentum they needed to close out the series, and then some. Nashville was for real, and now the whole world knew it.