On Friday night, the Nashville Predators defeated the Dallas Stars 6-3 in the third period, courtesy of a goal and an assist from Filip Forsberg. The loss spoiled the return of Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.
Nashville also received goals from Jeremy Lauzon, Tommy Novak, Gustav Nyquist, and Juuso Parssinen, in addition to Ryan O’Reilly’s two assists and goal. Josi Roman contributed three assists.
The 20-man effort was outstanding, according to Predators head coach Andrew Brunette. “Everyone was exerting their own effort.”
Nashville led Dallas 2-0 entering the third period on goals by Lauzon and Novak. The two-goalie scored two of the seven additional goals scored by the teams in the final two minutes. The Predators, however, maintain their lead at all times.
“We maintained our focus heading into the third period,” O’Reilly stated. “The mood was positive.” We persistently strived to achieve a momentous triumph of that nature.”
Making 32 saves, Oettinger has been inactive since December 15 due to a groin injury.
“I believed Jake to be in good health,” said Stars head coach Pete DeBoer. “Ensuring his health and avoidance of any setbacks was the foremost concern tonight.” “It was not his fault.”
The four-week absence, during which Dallas went 8-3-2, felt like an entire season, according to Oettinger. During his absence, he was named to the All-Star team.
“I did some commendable work, but there are undoubtedly some areas in which I could improve,” Oettinger stated. “Move on and accept both the positive and negative.”
It was the second time in seven days that Forsberg assisted reserve goalie Kevin Lankinen at Dallas with a goal. Last Saturday, Forsberg scored in overtime to help Nashville earn a 4-3 victory.
Seventh-place Predators have a 6-0-1 record on the road. Forsberg has 47 points and 22 goals to lead the team. With six, he is tied for third place in the NHL in game-winners.
Matt Duchene and Jani Hakanpaa both contributed to Dallas’s scoring, while Wyatt Johnston and Duchene each scored.
A goal by Hakanpaa in the 3rd minute, which was his second of the season, brought the Stars within 2-1. However, O’Reilly responded approximately 2 1/2 minutes later by converting a rebound.
Johnston’s delayed penalty goal at 9:11 of the third period brought Dallas within 3-2, but Forsberg’s power play goal at 10:08, which occurred 19 seconds into the period, restored the Predators’ two-point lead. Duchene, who had spent the previous four seasons with Nashville, scored a power-play goal approximately 3 1/2 minutes later to tie the game at 4-3.
At 17:27 and 19:29, Nyquist and Parssinen scored empty-net goals, correspondingly.
Nankinen made 19 saves on attempts. Playing behind Juuse Saros, who ranks second in the NHL with 32 starts, he is 6-3-0 this season and 6-2-1 in his career against the Stars.
Lauzon, who led the NHL in tackles, recorded his fourth goal of the season, which was also his twelfth in the past six seasons.
