Predators keep playoff hopes alive after win over Vegas
The Predators can still make the playoffs, but what are the odds?
The Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights last night. Vegas, currently sitting in first in the Western Conference, came into Bridgestone Arena hoping to hang on to the their number one spot with a win over the Predators. The Predators, of course, have been fighting hard to stay in contention for the final Wild Card spot for the playoffs.
However, the Preds weren't going down easy. Tommy Novak made a statement in the first period with two goals that went unanswered. Both teams headed to the locker rooms, but Vegas came out prepared to answer back.
The second period saw Vegas defender Alex Pietrangelo score two goals of his own to even the score back up between the teams. Everyone waited to see who would break the tie in the third period.
However, the third period came and went without any scoring. The game would have to go into over time to get a result.
After a slow start to the five-minute three-on-three overtime period, Philip Tomasino drew a penalty from Jonathan Marchessault. Marchessault took exception and fired the puck at Tomasino after the whistle, a classless move.
The result was a 4-on-3 power play, or "peeper" according to Luke Evangelista, for the Preds. It didn't take long for the Cody Glass, a former first-round draft pick for the Golden Knights, to call game and shoot the puck off of a Vegas defender's skate blade and into the open net.
The Predators' win, combined with Calgary's loss to Chicago, made for a particularly interesting situation in the playoff race. Take a look at this infographic from Money Puck:
The Predators have a 4.3% chance of making the playoffs. And, with Seattle nearly locked into the first Wild Card spot, it's a three-way chase for the final Wild Card spot between Winnipeg, Calgary, and Nashville.
While the Jets have the highest chance of making it at this point, it's important to note that Winnipeg faces Calgary tonight, the Preds face Winnipeg on Saturday, and The Preds face Calgary on Monday.
The outcome of those games shift those percentages in a mighty way that will guarantee an exciting finish to the regular season. While the odds may be stacked against them, the Predators are still fully in the playoff race.
-featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports-
