Mishkin's Extra Shift: Lightning 3, Predators 2 - OT

Down by a goal with under three and a half minutes left in the third period, the Lightning were staring at the prospect of losing this game in regulation. It would have been a goalie steal. In terms of generating scoring chances - both quantity and quality - it might have been the Lightning's most productive game of the season. But Juuse Saros delivered a magnificent performance for Nashville, erasing most of those chances. But the Lightning found the tying goal at 16:39 of the third when Alex Killorn tipped Ian Cole's shot past Saros. The only other shots to beat Saros came from Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, both of whom blasted perfect shots into the top of the net.

So Saros' play was one of the game's biggest storylines. But it wasn't the only one. The Lightning won the special teams battle. After allowing a power play goal on their first kill opportunity, they got through the next four Nashville power play chances. Including one late in the third, moments before Killorn's equalizing tally.
Nashville applied plenty of pressure, too, so Andrei Vasilevskiy played an important role in the Lightning's victory. He made 30 saves, including several in the third period immediately after the Predators had grabbed a 2-1 lead.
The Lightning had periodic issues clearing their defensive zone and some of the Preds' best chances occurred following those miscues. A failed clear on the penalty kill preceded Filip Forsberg's opening goal. And a d-zone turnover led to Nino Niederreiter's third period tally. Vasilevskiy stopped all of the others.
Ultimately, though, the Lightning dictated play for a majority of the evening. They attacked the net and created open looks. Kucherov was the middle of much of that activity - he finished with a goal and two assists, six shots on net, and 12 overall shot attempts.
This contest marked the season debut of Zach Bogosian, who was physical and impactful. Rudy Balcers played his first game since being claimed on waivers and skated with speed throughout the night. Unfortunately, Haydn Fluery didn't play after the second period, so for the second straight game, the Lightning rotated five defensemen.
It was a resilient victory for the Lightning. They didn't allow their foiled chances to cause frustration. Instead, they rallied to tie things late and picked up their fourth consecutive victory.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Nikita Kucherov - Lightning. Goal and two assists.
2. Juuse Saros - Predators. 36 saves.
3. Andrei Vasilevskiy - Lightning. 30 saves.