Predators - 2, Flames - 4: McCarron, Sherwood Score But Flames Smother Preds with Offensive Pressure

The Flames were without leading goal scorer Andrew Mangiapane as he served a one game suspension. Jacob Markstrom got the start in net for Calgary. 

The Flames got off to a quicker start than the Predators recording the first three shots on goal, but it was Nashville that got on the scoreboard first. Marc Del Gaizo made a perfect pass to Liam Foudy who sent it net font to Michael McCarron who deflected it past Markstrom at 4:35. 

Calgary got the first power play opportunity at 7:41 when Jeremy Lauzon took a seat in the box for an interference infraction. The Flames struggling power play wasn't able to take advantage of the five on four and the teams returned to five a side. 

The Flames's shots came in bursts, but Juuse Saros made multiple saves in quick succession. Their offensive pressure was interrupted by a blocked puck that landed in front of Tommy Novak. Novak sent it down the ice to Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista who passed it back and forth before Sherwood scored on Markstrom to give Nashville a 2-0 lead. 

Calgary's pressure continued with an extended offensive zone time, but Saros stayed sharp and the Predators finally cleared the puck to get a much needed line change. At 18:47 Nikita Zadorov headed to the sin bin for elbowing Luke Evangelista. Nashville's power play couldn't get past Calgary's excellent penalty kill before the period ended. Calgary had a big advantage in shots on goal and quality chances in the first period, but Nashville led on the scoreboard 2-0.

The second period began with :47 of Predators power play time, but the second unit also couldn't capitalize on the man advantage. Saros needed to be alert because when the teams returned to five on five Nazem Kadri had a breakaway chance. The line of Novak, Evangelista, and Sherwood generated sustained offensive zone time for Nashville, but couldn't find the back of the net. 

At 9:30 Roman Josi headed to the box for a high sticking call, but the Predators' penalty kill protected the net for the two minute infraction. Dillon Dude got Calgary on the board with a shot from the circle after a quick transition up the ice by Nikia Zadorov at 15:08. Calgary quickly went back on the power play at 16:23 as Kiefer Sherwood headed to the penalty box for a trip. 

It was another big test for the Predators' penalty kill as Jeremy Lauzon lost his stick and grabbed one from Yakov Trenin. Calgary spent the two minutes threatening around the net, peppering Saros, and keeping the puck in the offensive zone even after Nashville returned to full strength. The Predators were able to withstand the barrage. The teams headed into the second intermission with a score of 2-1 in favor of Nashville but shots on goal heavily in Calgary's favor 27-16. 

An early third period chance by Tommy Novak rang off the post. Calgary continued their offensive push, and the pressure paid off as Noah Hanifin tied up the game with a goal at 4:45. Less than two minutes later a two on one for the Flames gave Calgary the lead as Blake Coleman scored. 

Liam Fout drew a tripping call and sent Adam Ruzicka to the box at 7:26. Nashville's power play struggled to set up and the two minutes passed without the Predators capitalizing on the much needed opportunity. Shortly after the teams returned to five a side, Gus Nyquist hit the post and Josi's quick rebound chance was blocked by MacKenzie Weegar. 

Nashville struggled to pressure offensively for any extended zone time as time wound down in the third period. With 3:06 left, Saros vacated the net and Nashville added the extra attacker. The Predators struggled to get set up in the offensive zone and Nazem Kadri scored the empty net goal to give the Flames the 4-2 win.