Predators Fall to Lightning in OT as Stamkos Returns to Tampa Bay

The Nashville Predators did not get the storybook ending in Steven Stamkos’ emotional return to Tampa Bay, however they did come away with a invaluable level within the standings in a 3-2 time beyond regulation loss to the Lightning Monday at Amalie Area.

Stamkos, the No. 1 general choose by Tampa Bay within the 2008 NHL Draft, spent 16 seasons with the Lightning earlier than signing a four-year, $32 million contract with the Predators when free company opened July 1. He’s Tampa Bay’s all-time chief in video games performed (1,082), objectives (555) and factors (1,137). Monday’s contest marked his return to Amalie Area for the primary time as a member of the visiting group.

For the third consecutive recreation, the Predators dug themselves out of a 2-0 gap to tie the rating at 2-2 within the second interval. For the second consecutive recreation, Nashville’s comeback effort led to time beyond regulation; however this time, they weren’t capable of full the comeback and needed to accept one level to carry them to 3-5-1 on the season.

How the Predators Lined up vs. Tampa Bay

Forsberg-O’Reilly-Marchessault
Stamkos-Novak-Nyquist
Jankowski-Sissons-Evangelista
L’Heureux-McCarron-Smith

Josi-Fabbro
Lauzon-Provider
Skjei-Schenn

Saros
Wedgewood

Further: Tomasino, Pärssinen

(The Predators introduced Monday afternoon that defenseman Marc Del Gaizo had been assigned to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.)

Recreation Abstract

The Lightning dictated the tempo of play within the first interval, and the Predators struggled to close down any performs defensively. According to Natural Stat Trick, the excessive hazard possibilities for within the first interval have been 6-1 in favor of Tampa Bay.

In consequence, the Lightning took an early 2-0 lead on objectives from Brayden Level and Mitchell Chaffee. After Stamkos was honored with a video tribute in the course of the first TV timeout of the primary interval, Level gathered the puck alongside the boards, drove to the online and deked round Roman Josi to attain. Then, with lower than a minute left within the interval, Level made a stretch move to Chaffee, who capitalized on a defensive lapse by Nashville and buried the puck in a wide-open internet to provide Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead heading into the primary intermission.

Related: WATCH: Steven Stamkos Talks Emotional Return to Tampa Bay

After a profitable offside problem took what would have been Tampa Bay’s third unanswered aim off the board, Nashville started to point out indicators of life within the second interval. Halfway by way of the body, Ryan O’Reilly punched dwelling a rebound on the facility play to carry the Predators inside one.

Gustav Nyquist scored in transition within the closing minutes of the interval, firing a fast shot previous Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy to tie the sport at 2-2. Stamkos assisted on each objectives for his first multipoint recreation as a member of the Predators.

A scoreless third interval gave approach to the 3-on-3 time beyond regulation interval, when Nick Paul scored for the Lightning on the 3:22 mark to safe the victory with a 3-2 closing.

Key Takeaways

• Juuse Saros was distinctive for Nashville, turning apart 24 pictures and bailing the Predators out with some huge saves at key moments in his first look since being named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for his stellar performances within the Predators’ wins over the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.

• The Predators gained the particular groups recreation, going 1-for-4 on the facility play whereas efficiently killing all three penalties. Nashville’s PK unit is tied with the Dallas Stars’ for first place amongst all NHL groups at 93.1%.

• Nyquist now has objectives in three of his final 4 video games, scoring at even power towards Boston and recording a shorthanded aim towards the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Up Subsequent

The Predators will return dwelling to host the Edmonton Oilers Thursday at Bridgestone Area. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CT, and the sport might be broadcast solely on Hulu/ESPN+ in america.