The Nashville Predators made it seven in a row last night with another come from behind win, this time, 4-3 in overtime over the Vancouver Canucks. Now stop me if you've heard this before...
The Predators came out a little flat, not unusual after an emotional win in the first half of this back-to-back, and the Canucks took advantage. Bo Horvat scored to put the Nucks up 1-0 in the first... Brandon Sutter scored a little over 15 minutes into the second to put Vancouver up 2-0... and Pred Nation could be forgiven for thinking, well... this isn't our night.
Yes... you've heard this before... I get it... but then a bolt... courtesy of Mike Fisher, in his return to the Predators lineup after a brief retirement, scored to halve the lead... ok... you've heard that before too... but the team went to the room own 2-1 with a new sense of hope.
A couple of sleepy periods of hockey led to a wild third period. A nasty exchange between Ryan Johansen and Sutter resulted in a well-deserved major to Johansen and a minor to Sutter. Kevin Fiala tallied his 21st of the season on a twisted wrister to tie the game.
Unfortunately, that tie didn't last long as the Predators were trying to kill off the remaining three minutes of the Johansen major, a Sedin burned the Preds again. Daniel Sedin's goal put the Canucks up 3-2 and again you wondered if this team had another comeback in them.
They did... Ryan Ellis tied it up again with just over 2 minutes to go and Juuse Saros did the rest as the reams headed to overtime. An overtime that didn't last long with Calle Jarnkrok scoring the game winner, giving the Predators their seventh consecutive win, and their longest win streak in over seven years.
The Predators take off for Colorado for an afternoon tilt against the red hot Avalanche tomorrow at 2pm central.
Here are last night's highlights...
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“Where We Stand… update… a daily tracking of where the Preds are in the standings and the games that impact them most, brought to you by Mark Lonsway - THE real estate professional for hockey fans!
After last night’s play the Predators are first in the Central Division with 91 points, leading Winnipeg (0 GIH) by six points and 12 points ahead of Minnesota (1 GIH.) The Predators lead the Western Conference by four points over Vegas (0 GIH) and trail the Tampa Bay Lightning (1 GIH) by a single point.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – Noon – PHI @ TBL
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 99.99%, they need 7 points in 19 games to get to the 96 point line.
The Playoff Point Line - I look at the point level needed for at least a 75%+ chance to make the playoffs… right now, 96 points gets you at 70.2% chance of making the playoffs, 95 gets you a 48.9% chance.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- For those wondering if Mike Fisher would have an impact, beyond the goal he was 11 of 13 on faceoffs and creating scoring chances in almost every shift.
- Last night's win had some interesting "maintainence" scratches... Craig Smith, Roman Josi, Scott Hartnell and Yannick Weber.
- Four game homestand coming, starts Tuesday night.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team is waiting for the playoffs to start tonight against HC Sochi in the first round.
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