In Tuesday night’s electrifying NHL game, Jonathan Huberdeau and Kevin Rooney became the torchbearers for the Calgary Flames, each netting a goal and an assist, steering the Flames to a triumphant 4-3 turnaround against the struggling Nashville Predators.
Valiant Efforts on Both Sides
Brayden Pachal and Nazem Kadri also found the net while Dan Vladar, guarding the Flames’ goal, pulled off 17 incredible saves. The Flames were able to reignite their momentum, having suffered defeats in six of their last seven games.
The Predators, on the other hand, despite a formidable performance with Jonathan Marchessault scoring a pair and Tommy Novak adding one, could not fend off the Flames’ onslaught. They were left licking their wounds after an eighth consecutive defeat, equalling a dubious franchise record. Goalkeeper Juuse Saros managed to stop 24 shots in the face of relentless pressure.
Injury Woes for the Predators
The Predators were dealt a significant blow when captain Roman Josi was forced to sit out the last two periods following a lower-body injury. The veteran defenseman, who averages the highest on-ice time among his teammates at 25:40 per game, left a void that was hard to fill. The Predators were already grappling with the absence of regular defensemen Jeremy Lauzon and Alexandre Carrier, both out due to injuries.
Key Takeaways from the Game
The Flames successfully snapped an eight-game road losing streak. Reestablishing their dominance on away turf, where they boast a 10-3-1 record, is crucial for a team that has missed out on the playoff glory for two consecutive seasons.
Despite being hampered by injuries and illnesses, the Predators managed to extract goals from players who have been struggling to make their mark on the score sheet this season. This included Marchessault’s inaugural two-goal game with Nashville, following his $27.5 million, five-year contract signed in the offseason.
Game-Changing Moment and Statistic
The game’s tide turned at the 16:48 mark of the second period. With the scores level at 3-3, Nashville’s Mark Jankowski was handed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty while he was on the bench. This provided the window of opportunity for Huberdeau to score on the subsequent power play, securing Calgary’s first lead of the game.
For the first time this season, the Predators managed to score more than two 5-on-5 goals, a notable statistic despite the result.
What’s Next?
Up next, the Flames will welcome Tampa Bay on Thursday, kick-starting a five-game homestand. On the same day, the Predators will be on the road, visiting Dallas. Stay tuned for more NHL action.
