Jets vs. Predators Game 2: Full highlights, final score and more

The Nashville Predators’ Kevin Fiala nets the game-winning goal in double overtime to even the series with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Winnipeg Jets soared into Nashville and took home ice advantage away from the Predators in Game 1. Jets’ goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 47 Nashville shots in a 4-1 victory. Winnipeg dominated the first two periods of Game 1 by scoring the first three goals of the game. The Jets’ offensive barrage forced Predators’ head coach, Peter Laviolette, to replace his No. 1 goaltender, Pekka Rinne, with Juuse Saros.

The Predators didn’t want to fly to Winnipeg down 0-2 in the series. Nashville knew it would be an uphill climb if it fell short in Game 2.

Nashville’s faithful began to roar as Nashville center Mike Fisher’s wife, Carrie Underwood, finished her beautiful rendition of “God Bless America.” Everyone, including members of the Tennessee Titans, were ready for the puck to drop on Game 2.

It didn’t take long for the Predators to get on the board. Winnipeg immediately iced the puck which led to Filip Forsberg sliding a pass to Ryan Johansen, who ripped a shot past Connor Hellebuyck’s glove hand. 27 seconds into the opening period and the Predators had a 1-0 lead.

After a flurry of penalties by both teams, Dustin Byfuglien scored during a 4-on-4 to even the score at one goal a piece. Winnipeg benefitted by tying the game during a 4-on-4 because they were able to continue on the powerplay once Blake Wheeler’s tripping violation expired. Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele broke the tie when he took a pass from behind the net from Paul Stastny and deposited into net from the slot. Two goals in 29 seconds gave Winnipeg a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission.

Winnipeg opened up the second period with some prime chances. Unfortunately for the Jets, they either missed the net or were stopped by Rinne. They allowed the momentum to slip through their hands. The Predators would make them pay.

Onetime Atlanta Thrasher Bryan Little was sent to the sin bin for tripping Nashville forward Colton Sissons. Nashville was able to capitalize on the power play when Forsberg circled and set up P.K. Subban with gigantic one timer. Subban’s rocket flew past Hellebuyck to tie the game.

It looked like Winnipeg took a 3-2 lead when Byfuglien stormed in alone on a breakaway. The initial shot was denied, but Winnipeg’s Andrew Copp’s rebound attempt ended up in the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Jets, Matt Hendricks was whistled for his second goaltender interference penalty of the night. The goal was immediately waved off by the referee. The referee determined that Hendricks impeded Rinne’s ability to make the save on Copp’s shot.

There was a 3-2 lead, but it belonged to the Nashville Predators. Viktor Arvidsson received a pass from Filip Forsberg from neutral ice. Arvidsson came flying down the right side and blasted the puck past Hellebuyck to give Nashville their first lead of the game, heading into the second intermission.

Brandon Tanev scored the equalizer 5:11 into the third period when he darted across the slot and slid the puck between Rinne’s right leg and the post. The scoreboard wouldn’t read 3-3 for long.

While Nashville’s public address announcer was announcing Tanev’s goal, Ryan Johansen received the puck from Viktor Arvidsson. Johansen used his six-foot-three frame to avoid the Winnipeg defense and flicked the puck over the shoulder of Hellebuyck and underneath the crossbar to give Nashville a 4-3 lead. The game was tied for only 34 seconds before Johansen’s second goal of the game.

After the Predators regained the lead, the Winnipeg Jets began to take control of the hockey game. They were desperate to tie the game before the end of regulation. With less than minutes remaining, Paul Maurice pulled Hellebuyck for an extra attacker.

Relentless pressure by the Winnipeg Jets paid off when Mark Scheifele ripped a pass by Blake Wheeler past a sliding Pekka Rinne. Scheifele previously hit the post before finding the back of the net. 60 minutes wasn’t enough to determine a winner.

Overtime opened up with big time sustained pressure by both teams. Hellebuyck and Rinne were able to stand tall to keep the game going. The best chance was by Mike Fisher, but Kyle Connor came sliding in to deflect the puck harmlessly behind the net.

There were a few frantic moments at both ends of the ice towards the final minutes of the first overtime. The dangerous Viktor Arvidsson looked to stuff the puck into the net, but Hellebuyck’s pad was there to say no. On the other end of the ice, a flubbed shot from the point created a excellent chance for the Winnipeg Jets. However, Pekka Rinne, while at the top of the crease, calmly made the save on Adam Lowry.

The first overtime came and went. The second overtime’s first big chance same when Dustin Byfuglien took the puck into the Nashville zone and carried it all the way around the net. He patiently waited for Josh Morrissey to find open ice for a one timer. Morrissey’s blast went off of Rinne’s glove and into the corner. This was the last chance Winnipeg would get.

Nashville’s Kyle Turris never gave up on a puck in neutral ice and was able to flick it up to Craig Smith. Smith carried the puck into Winnipeg’s zone and slid it past a sliding Byfuglien to Kevin Fiala. Fiala went from his forehand to his backhand and put the puck behind Connor Hellebuyck at 5:37 in the second overtime to end Game 2 and even the series.

Three Stars

1. Kevin Fiala: It’s difficult to pick anyone else as the No. 1 star. Kevin Fiala’s goal in overtime tied the series at 1 game a piece. The whole complexion of the series would change if Winnipeg netted the game-winning goal. His beautiful forehand to backhand move is the reason why Winnipeg isn’t up 2-0 in the series.

2. Ryan Johansen: Johansen scored in the opening minute of the hockey game. The goal allowed Nashville to set the tone, after a tough Game 1 loss. Johansen’s second goal of the night was more important. After Tanev’s goal, it looked like Winnipeg had seized momentum. It wouldn’t last long because Johansen made a gorgeous move to beat Hellebuyck to give Nashville the lead and momentum again.

3. Pekka Rinne: The Predators’ goaltender was able to rebound from an abysmal Game 1. The former Vezina Trophy finalist turned aside 46 Winnipeg shots. His career high in saves allowed the Predators to claim Game 2.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/990751832237461505

Next Game

The best-of-seven series will shift to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Bell MTS Place will be rocking for Game 3. The puck will drop on Tuesday, May 1. Nashville and Winnipeg are tied 1-1.

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