Predators - 1, Penguins - 3: Evangelista Makes NHL Debut, Jankowski Scores But Preds Fall to Pens

The Penguins arrived in Nashville riding a two game win streak including a shoot out win over St. Louis and a dominating 7-3 game over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Evgeni Malkin has been playing well for the Pens scoring four goals and eight points in his last five games, the blue liners are generating offense, and of course, there is always the Sidney Crosby factor. 

Game Recap

Nashville started out with an immediate chance as Roman Josi found Mikhail Granlund with a stretch pass, but Tristan Jarry made the opening seconds save. The Predators put four quick shots on net, but Jarry managed the puck and protected the net. The Penguins finally answered back with extended offensive zone time in front of a tired Preds group, but a fortuitous clear by Roman Josi bailed Nashville out. 

The teams settled in and exchanged chances until Jake Guentzel was sent to the penalty box for hooking at 13:34. Nashville generated shot chances and pressured Jarry but couldn't capitalize in the two minute advantage.

Juuse Saros made big saves of his own for the Predators as the period wound down. The opening period ended with Nashville leading in shots on goal 14-9 but no score on the board. 

The second period began with a soft tripping call drawn by Jake Guentzel. The Predators penalty kill went to work and killed off the infraction well,  Pittsburgh's power play went right back to work as new Predator Cal Foote was called for interference at 4:28. Nashville was able to kill off the second man advantage, and the teams returned to five a side.

The pace of the game picked up at five on five play. Midway through the second period each of the teams had recorded 20 shots on goal. Despite Pittsburgh and Nashville both generating quality chances through the rest of the period, the second ended with a 0-0 score. 

At 2:39 in the final period Cole Smith headed to the sin bin for a holding call, and the Penguins went back on the power play for the third time this game. The Predators penalty kill again stymied the man advantage, and the teams returned to five a side. 

The first score of the game are at 7:01 as Mark Jankowski intercepted a clearing pass and juked past Tristan Jarry to give Nashville the lead. The Predators crowd rose to their feet and roared moments later as Luke Evangelista leveled Evgeni Malkin and then drew the retaliation penalty. The Preds went on the power play at 8:29 but could not score on the man advantage. 

Shortly after the teams returned to full strength, a streaking Sidney Crosby cradled a stretch pass from Brock McGinn and sent the puck past Saros at 11:00 to tie the game. A fumbled puck in front of the net was picked up by Jason Zucker and bounced past Saros to give the Penguins a late lead at 18:21. Bryan Rust scored an empty net goal and the Penguins won the game tonight by a score of 3-1. 

Game Notes

1. Despite the major changes happening in Smashville - or perhaps because of them - the crowd at Bridgestone was electric. There was collective sadness as the news of the Mattias Ekholm trade broke right before the game, but the crowd welcomed Luke Evangelista with enthusiasm. 

2. The penalty kill looked exceptional tonight. Pitssburgh's power play ranks 13th in the league, but Nashville was able to contain the Penguins when they were on the man advantage. Both the Predators kill and power play looked a little different due to the recent roster changes, but special teams performed well under the circumstances. 

3. The Preds played a good game under stressful circumstances. There has been a lot of moving pieces for Nashville over the last four day, and the team took the ice tonight shortly after finding out their assistant captain had been traded. Despite the massive changes underway on and off the ice in Nashville, the team executed well on the ice. 

Related Reading:

Defenseman Mattias Ekholm Traded to Edmonton Oilers

Luke Evangelista Will Make NHL Debut Tonight

Five Insights: David Poile and Barry Trotz Talk General Manager Transition