NHL Action: Panthers Survive Kraken Comeback, and More From Tuesday’s Games
Tuesday night saw a full slate of games in the National Hockey League, with 30 of the 32 teams in action. Here’s a seem at some of the most notable contests.
Panthers Edge Kraken in Shootout After Wild Comeback
An incredible comeback by the Seattle Kraken earned them a point, but ultimately they fell to the Florida Panthers 5-4 in a shootout. The Panthers twice held a three-goal lead, seemingly in control of the game. When Noah Gregor scored for the Panthers to make it 4-1 with 7:39 remaining in the third period, the game appeared all but over.
However, the Kraken had other plans. In a span of just two minutes and 20 seconds, they rallied to tie the game. Goals from Matthew Beniers, Jordan Eberle, and Bobby McMann stunned the home crowd and leveled the score at 4-4.
the Florida team prevailed. The game went to a shootout, where Vinnie Hinostroza was the only player to score, giving the Panthers a 1-0 victory.
This win marked a significant milestone for Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, who secured his 2,000th career win as an NHL coach, becoming only the second coach to reach this number.
The Kraken are currently five points out of a playoff spot in the West, with one game in hand. They will need to break their current four-game losing streak quickly to remain in contention.
Predators Dominate Sharks in High-Scoring Affair
Five goals in the first period from the Nashville Predators proved to be more than enough to defeat the visiting San Jose Sharks 6-3. Jonathan Marchessault contributed with three assists, setting up his teammates for success.
Despite the Sharks briefly tying the game after Filip Forsberg gave the Predators an early lead, Nashville quickly regained control. Matthew Wood, Roman Josi, Luke Evangelista, and Brady Skjei all scored before the first period ended, effectively sealing the win.
Two late goals from William Smith offered some consolation for the Sharks, but they were unable to match the Predators’ offensive output.
The victory gives Nashville some breathing room in the Western Conference playoff race, holding a three-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings. It was also their fifth consecutive win.
Other Results
- Pittsburgh Penguins 2-6 Colorado Avalanche
- Philadelphia Flyers 2-3 Columbus Blue Jackets
- New York Islanders 3-4 Chicago Blackhawks
- Montreal Canadiens 5-2 Carolina Hurricanes
- Detroit Red Wings 2-3 Ottawa Senators
- Boston Bruins 2-4 Toronto Maple Leafs
- Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 Minnesota Wild
- Winnipeg Jets 4-1 Vegas Golden Knights
- St. Louis Blues 3-0 Washington Capitals
- Dallas Stars 4-6 New Jersey Devils
- Calgary Flames 3-2 Los Angeles Kings (shootout)
- Edmonton Oilers 5-2 Utah Mammoth
- Vancouver Canucks 3-5 Anaheim Ducks
Follow all the NHL action on Diretta.
FAQ
What is a shootout in hockey?
A shootout is a tie-breaking procedure used in hockey when a game is tied after overtime. Players from each team take turns skating in on the goalie and attempting to score.
How many NHL teams make the playoffs?
16 teams make the NHL playoffs – eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference.
What does it mean to be “out of a playoff spot”?
It means a team is not currently ranked within the top eight of their conference, and therefore would not qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on teams with games in hand, as they have the opportunity to gain ground in the standings even if they haven’t played as many games as their competitors.
