Preds keep thin playoff hopes alive, beating Vegas 3-2 in OT
Nashville Predators center Tommy Novak (82) is congratulated after his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cody Glass scored a power-play goal 3:30 into overtime, and the Nashville Predators kept their thin playoff hopes alive Tuesday night by beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2.
Jonathan Marchessault tripped Philip Tomasino in the slot to put Nashville on the power play in overtime, and the Predators needed only 37 seconds before Glass scored his 14th with his shot deflecting past Vegas goalie Jonathan Quick.
Tommy Novak notched his third two-goal game this season and had an assist on the winning goal. He now has points in 46 games played this season for Nashville. Kevin Lankinen stopped 30 shots.
The Predators came in five points back of the second wild card in the Western Conference with a game in hand on Winnipeg in the second spot. Nashville visits Winnipeg on Saturday night with five games remaining.
Alex Pietrangelo matched his career-high with two goals in the second for Vegas. The Golden Knights snapped a two-game winning streak after coming in with a three-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings atop both the Pacific Division and the West. Quick finished with 24 saves.
The Golden Knights had their own man advantage and chance to win in regulation when Lankinen was penalized for delay of game with 4:30 to go. The Nashville goalie stopped every shot to help kill the penalty.
Novak put Nashville up 2-0 within the first 13:08 of the game. He beat Quick with a backhand 6:50 into the game, then he scored again with a wrister from the edge of the left circle off a deflection on the power play.
Nashville Predators left wing Egor Afanasyev (70) skates with the puck past Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
A flurry of Lankinen's saves came during 1:46 of a 5-on-3 late in the first period, including a stop on shot from Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague from the slot in the final seconds of the penalty kill.
Nashville nearly had a 3-0 lead with Egor Afanasyev getting his first career goal except for the goal being overturned for being kicked off defenseman Tyson Barrie's skate.
Pietrangelo got help for his 10th goal this season with the puck deflecting off the backside of Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel at 6:00 of the second. Then he notched his first two-goal game this season and eighth of his career shooting into the far net and tying it up at 13:39.
PRIDE NIGHT
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) defends against Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
Not only did all of the Predators wear their “ Pride Night” sweaters in warm-ups, they also had an introduction video welcoming fans.
Both Nashville coach John Hynes and Barrie said the Predators had talked about the issue with no dissent on wearing the sweaters. Barrie said he has family and best friends in the LGBTQ community.
“There’s a little bit of frustration on my end with kind of what’s transpired this year with everything, and I think I know how hard it can be for people to come out and live their authentic lives,” Barrie said.
UP NEXT
Golden Knights return home to host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.
Predators wrap up a two-game home stand Thursday night hosting Carolina.
