It took eight rounds for somebody to find the net in the shootout, and the Nashville Predators got it done, winning 5-4. Luke Evangelista scored the shootout winner on the backhand, kickstarting the long road trip with a crucial win over the Los Angeles Kings.
"I knew a had a little bit of time at least. Around four or five I was planning what I was going to do if I was going to go," Evangelista said. "It's a one-on-one situation. You just try to stay calm, stay poised in those situations and just make the best move possible."Nashville Predators YT
The Predators snapped a three-game losing streak after falling victim to a Kings late game comeback but rounding it off in the end.
Jonathan Marchessault topped the night with two points and Juuse Saros stopped 29 of 33 shots.
Zachary L'Heureux scored 18 seconds into the game for the Preds but was waived off to a high sticking call. Filip Forsberg responded seconds later, scoring his 35th. L'Heureux got his goal back less than three minutes later after juking Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper and going backhand for his third of the season.
Marchessault made it 3-0 in the second period with his first goal in 14 games. The Kings scored minutes later, but Steven Stamkos would continue the offense, scoring 37th. LA forwards Adrian Kempe and Scott Laughton brought the score within one at the end of the middle frame.
They tied it up with help from Joel Armia in the third period, but it wasn't enough for the two points in the standings.
Nashville's win tied up the Western Conference wild card race split between LA, San Jose and them all at 79 points.
"We executed our game plan, got out to the lead and then got a few things to sort out," Stamkos said. "Some of the rush chances were avoidable but at this time of the year it's about getting points and we gained a point on a team that we are chasing."Nashville Predators YT
"I'm really proud of these guys," Head Coach Andrew Brunette said. "They stayed within themselves [and] they stayed poised. In the shootout, Little Juice made some unbelievable saves and fans got a beautiful goal. A lot of good things to like, would have liked to have left with not overtime, but we'll take it."Nashville Predators YT
The Predators will stay in California for the next five days, taking on the Sharks Saturday before rematching the Kings Monday and wrapping it up with one against the Ducks Tuesday. They'll remain on the road for a Thursday contest against the Mammoth before heading home for an evening game against the Wild Saturday.