Predators - 4, Flames - 2: Carrier Scores First Goal of the Season, McDonagh Records Two Assists in Return

For the third game in a row the Predators found themselves in the penalty box early. Spencer Stastney was called for holding the stick at 1:38, but Roman Josi stole the puck from Jonathan Huberdeau as the Flames came up ice and passed it to Colton Sissons who scored shorthanded at 2:33. Nashville was able to kill off the remainder of the penalty, and the teams returned to five a side. 

The Flames answered back just over two minutes later as Andrew Mangiapane passed the puck cross ice to a dropping Noah Hanifin who scored at 4:46. 

Nashville got their first chance on the power play at 6:21 when Martin Pospisil was whistled for tripping Roman Josi. The Predators power play units generated three quality chances but couldn't get the puck past Jacob Markstrom. 

At 11:23, Ryan O'Reilly gave the Predators the lead back by cleaning up a bounce off the boards behind the net. Ryan McDonagh earned the primary assist on the goal in his return to the lineup. Temperatures rose as the first period progressed and finally spilled over as Michael McCarron and Dennis Gilbert dropped the gloves after a disagreement in front of Markstrom. Both earned five minutes for fighting. The period ended with Nashville leading 16-14 in shots on goal an 2-1 on the scoreboard. 

The second began with Nashville generating six shots on goal in the first five minutes. The chippiness continued as Jeremy Lauzon and Nikita Zadorov dropped the gloves at 6:28 after Lauzon was whistled for a trip. Both headed to the penalty box for five minutes while Filip Forsberg served Lauzon's two minutes for tripping. Nashville's penalty kill prevented the Flames from capitalizing on the man advantage. 

At 15:37 Blake Coleman was called for tripping Michael McCarron and headed to the box. Nashville wasn't able to convert on the power play again. With less than a minute remaining in the period Alexandre Carrier headed to the box for a trip, and the period ended with Calgary on the power play. The teams headed into the second intermission with Nashville leading 2-1 and a shot advantage of 14-4. 

There third period became with the Flames playing the remainder of their power play, but Nashville killed off what was left. The Flames continued to push offensively even after Nashville returned to full strength. Play went back and forth between the teams as they hit the middle of the final period. 

At 11:56 Alexandre Carrier scored after finding a juicy rebound in the circle and sending it past Markstrom. Calgary challenged the goal for an illegal hand pass, but the goal stood. Nashville went on the power play after the challenge, but :40 seconds into the man advantage, Filip Forsberg was whistled for a trip. The teams played four on four, and then Calgary played the remainder of their power play. Saros made two saves and Jeremy Lauzon blocked a shot to keep the Flames from scoring on the man advantage. 

With 4:24 remaining in the game, Blake Coleman headed back to the penalty box for a hold.  Juuso Pärssinen scored at 17:22 with a tip in past Markstrom to give Nashville the 4-1 lead. A late two on one chance by Nashville resulted in a penalty shot for Kiefer Sherwood after MacKenzie Weever grabbed the stick, but Markstrom made the save. Weever then sat for two minutes for a hold as well. 

Nashville got a final chance on the power play, but it was Yegor Shharangovich who scored a late shorthanded goal to make the final score 4-2. 

Nashville "Owes One To" Calgary Flames

Luke Evangelista Talks Locker Room Vobes, Changing Line Mates, and Being a Healthy Scratch

Predators Lineup Changes Ahead of Tonight's game Against Flames; McDonagh Expected to Return

Another Tough Break for Cody Glass: Predators Center Back on IR After Late Injury in Avalanche Game