In Washington, DC, Ryan McDonagh scored in the third period to give the Nashville Predators a 3-2 lead over the Capitals.
Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves for the Preds, and protected the lead for the final score and win for Nashville.
“I think everybody was a little surprised. I was surprised myself there,” McDonagh said. “You obviously don’t get too many breakaways as a defenseman. Just happy to contribute here and help the guys find a way.”
Nashville improved to 18-14-6.
“The last few games we’ve played some pretty good teams, but our commitment to shot blocking, we’ve had some good goaltending, they’ve been physical games and they’ve been hard games,” Nashville coach John Hynes said. “So, it’s nice to be able to put in the effort and the commitment that we’re making and be able to get the results.”
The two teams entered the third period tied, 2-2, with the Caps getting strikes from Sonny Milano and Nicolas Aube-Kubel.
“It’s just my spot on the power play is up front,” Milano said. “So, that’s where I hang out, and I think [Sheary’s shot] hit off a post and I just tapped it in.”
Washington dropped to 22-14-6.
“It was a tight game. It was going to come down to who scored a goal in the third period or overtime or the shootout,” Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. “I felt like it was fairly tight both ways. You had to fight for your ice out there.”
Nashville took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Thomas Novak.
Milano’s strike tie4d the game, 1-1.
The Predators reclaimed the lead on a goal from Yakov Trenin.
The Caps tied it, again, just past the midway point of the middle frame, 2-2, on a marker from Aube-Kubel.
“Yeah, maybe because it was a forward playing there in the middle, so by faking the shot maybe he didn’t see it coming,” Aube-Kubel said. “Took advantage of it, I guess.”
Charlie Lindgren made 18 saves in the Caps loss.
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