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NASHVILLE – The Nashville Predators (5-4-5) earned their first extra-time win of the season on Saturday, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning (8-3-2) 5-4 in a shootout.
While the Predators' power play has garnered attention as one of the NHL's top units—and delivered again with Steven Stamkos's game-tying goal at 7:27 of the third period—it was the penalty kill that held firm and pushed the game to overtime.
Nashville successfully killed a penalty in the middle of the second period and another at the start of the third. The unit was called upon once more after Adam Wilsby took a delay-of-game penalty with just over three minutes remaining, giving Tampa Bay a chance to grab a late game-winner.
The Predators stood tall for the third time on Halloween, denying the Lightning and forcing overtime.
"Yeah, it's been great," Adam Edström said of the penalty kill. "A lot of video, and every guy that's out there takes a lot of pride in killing penalties. When someone takes a penalty, it's our job to kind of shut the other team down, and we're taking a lot of pride in that, and I think today was really good."
Through 14 games, Nashville has allowed only five power-play goals, tied for fifth-fewest in the NHL this season, and the unit came through again against the Lightning when it mattered most.
"I think they're connected, and we've gone through a lot of transition over the last little while, and it seems like everybody who steps in has done an excellent job," Andrew Brunette said. "I think Derek MacKenzie does a wonderful job of preparing them. I think they have a lot of pride in it. It's something that they—it's almost like a little group within the team that that's their thing. They've been fantastic here for the last two years. I think Jayden Struble came in and penalty killed tonight. He hasn't seen a lot of reps, and I thought he was excellent. So that's a good sign. A lot of times when you get into special teams, and you move guys in and out, there's a little lull. Right now, it seems like whoever's going in is doing a job, and that was a big job for us to do at the end of the game."
Nashville's penalty kill sent the game to overtime, but goaltender Justus Annunen preserved the second point for the Predators. He made 22 saves, including a diving stop in overtime to extend the game to the shootout. Annunen then stopped all four Lightning shooters in the shootout, earning his first career shootout win.
"No, I'm happy for him. He's undefeated," Brunette said. "I was surprised it was his first one. Obviously, in Colorado, they probably didn't go to too many of them, but I thought he stood big, and he made some big saves for us down the stretch."
The Predators finished the first month of the season with an 88.9 percent penalty kill, and Nashville needed the unit, combined with strong goaltending, to claim two big points against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Key Analysis
The Predators' penalty kill has been a cornerstone of their early-season success, ranking among the league's best. With a perfect performance against the Lightning, the unit demonstrated its ability to deliver under pressure, supported by timely goaltending from Annunen. As the season progresses, maintaining this level of special teams play will be crucial for Nashville's competitiveness in the Central Division.