Preds Come Back to Beat Red Wings in Shootout

Mikael Granlund tied it, Roman Josi ended it.
Nashville scored twice in the third period, before prevailing in a shootout, as the Predators came back to defeat the Detroit Red Wings by a 3-2 final on Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena. The result gives the Predators wins in 10 of their last 12 outings, and they're now up to 43 points to keep the fourth spot in the Central Division.
Down by a goal entering the final frame, the Preds tied the game twice - first on a goal from Luke Kunin, and the second from Granlund - to force extra time and ultimately grab two points in the shootout.

"We didn't play our best game in the first period, but then we started to get into our game in the second period and then just kept going in the third period, and that's kind of [the way] we've been playing," Granlund said. "We just keep going and keep playing all four lines, and it really seems like we're finding a way to win these games right now. There's a lot of good things out there we do."

"It wasn't an easy game, and I think you'd credit your opponent for that, but also, I thought that we warmed to the task as the game went on," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said. "We didn't have the lead in the game, but I thought the way that we played to get ourselves back in the game was the right way. [We had] contributions throughout the lineup, so that was a good, gritty effort, [it was] focused and did what we had to do to find a way to win."
The game's only goal through the first two periods came with under a minute left to play in the opening frame, as a Danny DeKeyser point shot deflected off Mattias Ekholm and past Preds goaltender Juuse Saros.

But fewer than four minutes into the third period, Josi sprung Kunin on a breakaway for his second goal in as many games to even the score at 1-1. After the Red Wings regained the lead on a goal from Adam Erne, Granlund pounced on a loose puck in front and capitalized on a late power play with fewer than four minutes to play in regulation.

After the two clubs traded chances in the 3-on-3 session, Ryan Johansen and Josi beat Griess in the shootout - and Saros turned aside both Detroit shooters - to give the Predators their 21st win of the season and yet another two crucial points in the standings.

"He's really good in shootouts," Josi, who also scored in the shootout, said of Saros. "We see it [when we practice] shootouts, and he's unbelievable. And just the way he's playing in general, we knew we had a really good chance if we scored one to win."
The Preds didn't stop at just one in the breakaway competition, and even though the overall effort wasn't perfect, Nashville converted when it mattered most on Tuesday. Thanks to that showing, the Predators remain in postseason positioning with just 16 games to go, and according to Granlund, the approach is simple, really.
"You just get ready for the next one, and it's all about the one game at a time," Granlund said. "There's not too many games left anymore, every single game matters and it's all about just getting ready for the next one and just trying to find these ways to win the games and get to playoffs. We've put ourselves in a pretty good spot right now… [It's just] one game at a time, and let's just try to do the best we can."

Notes:
The Predators will start a three-game homestand at Bridgestone Arena this weekend. Tickets are available for the Sunday tilt against the Stars (at 7 p.m. CT) and Tuesday's game against the Lightning (at 7 p.m.). For this season only, fans are also able to add Lexus Lounge access to their tickets to enjoy a premium unlimited buffet and beverages. To purchase your tickets, visit
NashvillePredators.com/tickets
Preds forward Luke Kunin and defenseman Dante Fabbro both left Tuesday's game with injuries, and the team hopes to have an update on their respective statuses on Wednesday.
The Predators were without Viktor Arvidsson - among others - on Tuesday night; the winger is day-to-day with an upper-body injury but is in Detroit with the team.
Nashville will conclude their two-game set in Detroit on Thursday night before heading home.