2021/05/09 10:44 Nashville Predators center Luke Kunin (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey g. Nashville Predators center Luke Kunin (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) Nashville Predators right wing Brad Richardson (15) reaches for the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the second. Nashville Predators right wing Brad Richardson (15) reaches for the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The penultimate game of the regular season has arrived for the Nashville Predators, and they ll have a chance to clinch their spot in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs once more.
We re into the final week-plus (for most teams) of the 2021 NHL season, and while 16 of them will be competing for the Stanley Cup this spring and summer, 15 of them will begin to devise their plan to get back in the playoff mix in 2021-22.
Usually, it s a pretty straightforward exercise of determining which free agents to re-sign and which to let explore the market, along with tweaks to be made via trade, and additions to the pipeline courtesy of the draft. This summer, however, there s the added wrinkle of the Seattle Kraken expansion draft and any side deals that must be made to sway GM Ron Francis to stay away from choosing certain players to join his roster.
Predators top Jackets in OT despite Emil Bemstrom s hat trick
Field Level Media
04 May 2021, 12:19 GMT+10
Roman Josi s two goals turned out to be bigger than Emil Bemstrom s first career hat trick.
Josi scored his second goal of the game 3:24 into overtime to lead the visiting Nashville Predators past the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Monday.
The Predators appeared to be cruising to a much-needed win in their push toward the postseason. The visitors led 3-0 after 40 minutes before Emil Bemstrom took over the game, with his three third-period goals representing his first goals of the season.
Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen each had a goal and assist for the Predators (29-22-2, 60 points), and Ryan Ellis contributed two assists.
Predators improve playoff position, beat Blue Jackets in OT
Roman Josi scored 3:24 into overtime and the Nashville Predators tightened their hold on a playoff spot with a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.
The Canadian Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio Roman Josi scored 3:24 into overtime and the Nashville Predators tightened their hold on a playoff spot with a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.
Emil Bemstrom scored three goals in the third to rally Columbus from a 3-0 deficit before Nashville s captain ended it with his second goal of the night.