Skip to content
In Tuesday night’s thrilling NHL action, Jonathan Huberdeau and Kevin Rooney became torchbearers for the Calgary Flames, each recording a goal and an assist, leading the Flames to a 4-3 victory over the struggling Nashville Predators.
Brave efforts on both sides
Brayden Paschall and Nazem Kadri also scored, while Flames goalkeeper Dan Vladar made an amazing 17 saves. The Flames were able to reignite their momentum, having suffered defeats in six of their last seven games.
On the other hand, despite a tremendous performance by the Predators, with Jonathan Marchessault scoring twice and Tommy Novak adding one, they were unable to hold off the Flames’ attack. They were left licking their wounds after an eighth straight defeat, which equates to a questionable franchise record. Goalkeeper Jose Saros was able to stop 24 shots in the face of constant pressure.
Infestation problems for predators
The Predators were dealt a major blow when captain Roman Josi was forced to sit the final two periods after a lower-body injury. The veteran defenseman, who averaged the highest time on ice among his teammates at 25:40 per game, left a void that was difficult to fill. The Predators were already without key defensemen Jeremy Lauzon and Alexandre Carrier, both of whom are out with injuries.
Key takeaways from the game
The Flames snapped an eight-game losing streak. Regaining their dominance on the gridiron, where they boast a 10-3-1 record, is crucial for a team that has missed out on playoff glory for two straight seasons.
Despite being plagued by injuries and illnesses, the Predators have managed to extract goals from players who have struggled to make their mark on the scoring sheet this season. That included Marchessault’s two-goal opener with Nashville, after signing his five-year, $27.5 million contract in the offseason.
Instant game changing statistics
The tide of the game turned at 16:48 of the second period. With the score tied at 3-3, Nashville’s Mark Jankowski was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty while on the bench. This provided an opportunity for Huberdeau to score on the ensuing power play, securing Calgary’s first lead of the game.
For the first time this season, the Predators were able to score more than two goals in a 5-on-5 game, a notable statistic despite the score.
What’s next?
Next, the Flames will welcome Tampa Bay on Thursday, kicking off a five-game homestand. On the same day, the Predators will be on the road to visit Dallas. Stay tuned for more NHL action.
