Filip Forsberg’s 300th career goal tied the game late in regulation, and the Nashville Predators went on to beat the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout Thursday night.
Nashville trailed 2-1 when a streaking Forsberg took a stretch pass from Nick Blankenburg, then drilled the puck past Chicago’s Arvid Soderblom for his milestone goal — and fourth in four games — with 3:03 remaining in regulation.
Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos, who also had a goal in regulation, each scored in the Predators’ first shootout of the season — against Soderblom, who was otherwise solid in stopping 39 shots.
Connor Bedard and Alec Martinez scored for the Blackhawks, who have lost four straight, 10 of their last 12 and seven in a row on the road. Tyler Bertuzzi assisted on both goals.
Nashville opened the scoring with 11:53 remaining in the first period. On the power play, Jonathan Marchessault saucered the puck from behind the Blackhawks net to Roman Josi in the slot, who sent it to the far circle for Stamkos to convert short-side against Soderblom.
Chicago appeared to tie the game with 5:10 remaining in the first, but Nick Foligno’s goal was waved off for goaltender interference. The Blackhawks opted to challenge that call, which was confirmed by video review.
The Blackhawks outshot the Predators 9-5 in the first but were stymied by Predators netminder Juuse Saros (24 saves), including two solid chances from Frank Nazar.
Chicago did eventually equalize with 13:30 remaining in the second period. From the right wing, Bertuzzi found Bedard, who has points in 11 of his last 12 contests, alone in the slot to beat Saros.
Less than 1 1/2 minutes later, the Blackhawks took the lead. With Bertuzzi getting the secondary assist, Martinez’s wrister from the blue-liner caromed from the end-board, off the back of Saros’ pad and in.
Nashville has won four of its last six games.
–Field Level Media
