There was a game between the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators Saturday night in Nashville, Tenn., but that ultimately wasn't the main event. Retribution was on deck. The Wild (27-15-4) were determined to even the score for Zach L'Heureux's slew-foot of Jared Spurgeon on New Year's Eve.
Nashville (15-22-7, 37 points) beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Thursday, clinching the win with a 3-for-3 shootout performance from Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O'Reilly, and Steven Stamkos. It was the Predators' first appearance in a shootout this season.
Forsberg extended his goal streak to five games after not scoring in the previous 18. Roman Josi had two assists for the Predators (16-22-7), who have won three consecutive games. Juuse Saros made 27 saves. Matt Boldy had one goal and one assist for the Wild (27-15-4), who have lost four of their past five games. Marc-Andre Fleury made 32 saves.
After L'Heureux slew-footed Jared Spurgeon, sidelining the Wild captain, payback was expected in the rematch — and it came early.
Filip Forsberg tallied twice, and the Nashville Predators scored a season-high six goals to defeat the Minnesota Wild by a 6-2 final on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena. The result gives the Preds their third straight victory and a three-game win streak for the first time since October.
The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators met for the third time this season and the first in Nashville on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Wild had a boost to their lineup on the injury front as they got both Jakub Lauko and Brock Faber back,
Nashville (15-22-7, 37 points) beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Thursday, clinching the win with a 3-for-3 shootout performance from Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O'Reilly, and Steven Stamkos. It was the Predators' first appearance in a shootout this season.
The Wild settled the score but fumbled the game. After three fights in 4½ minutes — the first in response to the slew foot that still has captain Jared Spurgeon sidelined — the Wild blew an early lead and got rolled 6-2 by the Predators on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena for their third straight loss.