On Long Island, the Nashville Predators took a 1-0 lead into the second period and surrendered that lead to the New York Islanders who scored three times in the frame.
Problem for the Islanders was the Preds reeled off seven,m count em seven, unanswered goals in an 8-3 win on Tuesday night.
Craig Smith struck twice for Nashville as they scored four in the second period and added three more in the third.
“It feels good,” Smith said. “That being said, I think a lot of games I’m right there in the right spots. I haven’t changed much; I’m just trying to get into those pockets and find the lanes to be able to shoot. I was able to get a good look tonight.”
Pekka Rinne made 27 saves in the win.
Casey Cizikas, Brock Nelson and Derick Brassard scored for the Islanders.
“This doesn’t happen to us very often,” Cizikas said. “It’s definitely tough, but tomorrow’s a new day. Wake up, come to the rink, do our work and get ready for the next one.”
Six other Predators scored including Calle Jarnkrok, who had three points on the night.
Filip Forsberg started the rally after the Preds fell behind 3-1.
Nick Bonino, Rocco Grimaldi, Roman Josi, and Ryan Johansen added goals in the rout.
“That was a huge win for us, especially going down 3-1 on a back-to-back in their building,” Grimaldi said. “The response that we had on our power play after getting a [shorthanded goal] scored on them [27] seconds later and answer to make it 3-2, that was huge.
“Great response at the end of the second there, and obviously in the third, we just stuck to our game plan. I know in the past, we’ve kind of sat back on our heels and sometimes they start coming at us. But I thought today, we just kept going.”
[WATCH:Â All Predators vs. Islanders highlights]
Thomas Greiss got the start for the Isles and made 10 saves while yielding five goals; he was given the hook in the second intermission.
“We couldn’t get a stop,” Isles head coach Barry Trotz said. “Our goalies have bailed us out so many times this year. We couldn’t bail them out.”
Semyon Varlamov made six saves in the third.
“You learn a lesson when you let up eight, that’s for sure,” Islanders’ Anders Lee said.
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