Left winger Kevin Fiala has ended the debate by putting the needle at 5:37 of the second overtime period and the Nashville Predators tied the 1-1 series with a 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night.
The Jets came from behind three times rather than one to force an extra period. However, it was the Predators who had the last word. Following a two-on-one run, Fiala found the back of the net after accepting Craig Smith’s superb cross-country pass.
“I’m very happy that we won. It’s all that matters. It was a big win for us to level the 1-1 series. I’m very happy with this positive result,” Fiala said after the game.
Ryan Johansen moved the ropes twice, while Viktor Arvidsson hit the mark and designed two other goals. P.K. Subban also flickered the red light.
The Predators head coach Laviolette said after the game that at one point in the second period, the two teams skated so quickly that it looked like an athletics meet. It should be noted here that the Jets have only finished three points behind Nashville in the regular season.
“It’s a good team too. It’s a shame to lose so, but we had a better match tonight than we did on Friday. It’s positive. We can be angry for 10 minutes and after that we have to rest and get ready for Tuesday.” Laviotte said.
After suffering a heavy 4-1 loss to the Jets in the first game of the series, the Predators lost no time in scoring. After only 27 seconds of play, Johansen took the opportunity to set the tone by defeating Hellebuyck on a wrist shot.
Nashville Predators won 5-4 over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night. (Source:wwww.nhl.com)
However, the Jets were activated afterwards, when Byfuglien and Schiefele, on the power play, hit home 29 seconds apart.
Taking advantage of the advantage of a man, Subban reset the meters at the beginning of the median period and Arvidsson deceived Hellebuyck’s vigilance to give the Preds a 3-2 lead, moments before the two teams retreated in the cloakroom for the second intermission. Refusing to let go, Tanev leveled the score again in the third, before Johansen replied 34 seconds later.
The Jets had not yet said their last word. With just under two minutes to go, Scheifele came back with his second of the match to extend the game beyond regulation time.
