The Nashville Predators rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period, with veteran centre Ryan O’Reilly netting the decisive goal late to secure a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.
Nashville’s comeback was sparked by a power-play marker from O’Reilly, who redirected Roman Josi’s point shot just under six minutes remaining after Mike Matheson was called for tripping Steven Stamkos in the neutral zone. Alexander Kerfoot sealed the win with two empty-net tallies, overcoming a 34-save performance from Jacob Fowler, who made his first NHL start of the season.
Kerfoot’s First Goals Spark Nashville’s Push
After a tightly contested opening frame that produced no scoring chances, Montreal struck first when captain Nick Suzuki capitalised on a chaotic scramble 3:12 into the second period. His backhand deftly found the net through the legs of Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros, drawing raucous cheers from the home faithful.
Alex Newhook extended the lead shortly thereafter, finishing off a cross-ice feed from Josh Anderson following sustained pressure in the Predators’ zone. The Bell Centre erupted in “Olé! Olé! Olé!” chants as optimism swelled among supporters.
However, Kerfoot silenced the crowd with a clever redirection of Adam Wilsby’s point shot at 15:06 of the middle stanza. Then, with seconds left in the period, Matthew Wood tied the game during a tumultuous sequence in front of the crease, sending both teams into the intermission locked at two apiece.
Saros Stands Tall Amidst Third-Period Drama
In the final frame, Saros thwarted several dangerous rushes, including a crucial breakaway stop on Anderson with roughly eight minutes remaining. His resilience kept Nashville within striking distance until O’Reilly delivered the knockout blow on the power play.
Despite being outshot 36-17, the Predators managed to hold their ground defensively thanks to timely goaltending and opportunistic finishing. Stamkos chipped in with two assists, while Edstrom’s empty-net goals provided insurance in the closing moments.
Fowler’s Debut Offers Glimpse of Future for Habs
Fowler, 21, stepped into the spotlight after being recalled from the AHL’s Laval Rocket earlier in the day due to an injury to backup Samuel Montembeault. Though he faced a barrage of shots, he showed poise beyond his years, posting respectable numbers despite the tough outing.
For Montreal, the defeat marked their third straight without a win, raising questions about depth concerns in net moving forward. Meanwhile, Nashville improved to 2-1-1, showcasing their ability to claw back even when trailing by multiple goals.
Upcoming Fixtures and Key Takeaways
Montreal will look to rebound quickly as they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, hoping to regain momentum in front of their passionate fanbase. Across the ice, Nashville travels to face divisional rival Ottawa in what promises to be another fast-paced affair.
One overlooked subplot involved a crucial turnover leading to Wood’s tying goal — Anderson’s cross-checking minor disrupted Nashville’s setup but ultimately backfired, gifting the visitors a golden opportunity they wouldn’t waste.
Why it Matters
This resilient performance underscores Nashville’s character under pressure, highlighting their capacity to execute when stakes rise — vital traits heading into a competitive Atlantic Division race. For Montreal, meanwhile, goaltending inconsistencies threaten to derail early-season aspirations unless addressed swiftly. As playoff races heat up across the league, games like these often serve as turning points, shaping narratives that echo well beyond October.
