The Nashville Predators [21-20-4] concluded their back-to-back homestand with a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals [23-17-6] on Sunday. They are now within two points of the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
Roman Josi recorded three points, Steven Stamkos notched a powerplay marker, and Justus Annunen saved 28/30 shots faced.
"We knew it was going to be hard tonight, against a really good team. Especially our third, I thought we played really well. It was a hard game, you kind of need a bounce back after last night and got the two points, so that's huge."Roman Josi, Per Predators YT
With his 601st goal last night, Stamkos is now 10th all-time in powerplay goals with 233 and tied for 21st all-time in goals scored according to NHL PR.
Mike McCarron found himself in the box for delay of game early in the period, giving the Capitals a powerplay. 25 seconds into the man-advantage, Alexander Ovechkin got hold of the puck, one-timing it past Annunen. He now has 20 on the season, making it 21-straight seasons with 20 or more snipes.
After exchanging shot attempts for the next eight minutes, Nashville found themselves on the powerplay after Capitals' defenseman Brandon Duhaime held Fedor Svechkov in an offensive battle. It took only 12 seconds for Stamkos to replicate Ovi's goal as he sniped it into the net from his office to tie the game.
"It was a heck of a shot by Ovechkin and then see Stammer do it in the same game is pretty cool. That's about 1500 regular season goals, who knows how many. For them to hit at the same spot, probably the two greatest goal scorers of our generation...in the same building, on the same ice, I think it's pretty special."Andrew Brunette, Predators YT
Washington held onto possession but Nashville's defense and Annunen stopped any attempt from becoming another scoreboard tally. The first period ended with the game tied at one apiece
The Capitals stayed strong on the puck all throughout the second period as they tallied nine shots while the Predators only got six. The game was still stuck at a standstill with either side only notching one marker.
The Predators got to work right away after a breather during second intermission. Josi delivered the puck over to Cole Smith who promptly snuck it past Lindgren, breaking the deadlock 2-1.
"It was just kind of 'you make a great play' and just kind of a loose puck, trying to jump on it and luckily got a nice shot off it. As a player and as our line, that's kind of our identity. Play as hard as we can, every loose puck [we try to make it] ours."Cole Smith, Predators YT
Nashville struck again two minutes later with a 5-on-3 powerplay after Josi received a pass from Stamkos, and one-timed it on Lindgren's left side and in the net for his sixth of the year. It's his first multi-point night since the end of last season.
Capitals winger Ethen Frank got on the board to put the game within one. Washington pulled their goalie with around two minutes left in the game, but Annunen's athleticism came in clutch as the Predators walked away with another two points in the books.
"He tracked the puck, I thought he read the play really well tonight and then obviously used his gifts of his size and natural athletic ability to make some saves...He comes to work every day and he's getting better every game feel likes."Andrew Brunette, Predators YT
The Nashville Predators will invite the Edmonton Oilers [22-16-7] for a rematch at Bridgestone Arena this Tuesday at 7:00pm local time.