The Nashville Predators finished their 2023-24 NHL season 47-30-5 with a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyguist scored while Juuse Saros made 34 saves in the game.
The Predators remain just three points ahead of the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas has two games left in hand against Chicago on Tuesday and Anaheim on Thursday (both of which are at home).
Michael Bunting appeared to have scored the 1st goal of the game to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead on the powerplay, but it was called back due to goalie interference.
39 seconds later, Sidney Crosby gave the Penguins a 1-0 on the same powerplay, tapping the puck in from behind the net.
Erik Karlsson made it 2-0 Pittsburgh on a one-time play off the pass from Sidney Crosby. Kris Letang almost made it a 3-0 hockey game but the Penguins had their second goal called back again due to goaltender interference.
Pittsburgh was firing from all cylinders in the 1st period, outshooting Nashville 20-5. The Predators found themselves down a pair as the period drew to a close. In the 2nd period, the Preds finally scored on a goal from Gustav Nyguist, tapping home a loose puck out of a net-mound scramble.
Reilly Smith would score almost a minute later to give the Penguins their two-goal lead back with a wrist shot from the slot. The 33-year-old ended a 13-game goal drought and managed to get his 13th of the season.
Filip Forsberg made it a one-goal game again, snapping the puck top-shelf past the glove of Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic for his 48th goal of the year. Nashville outshot Pittsburgh 16-8 in the 2nd period and looked to add more momentum heading into the final frame.
Unfortunately for them, the Penguins added another goal from Emil Bemstorm on a one-timer from off the pass of Erik Karlsson for his 8th goal of the season. This turned out to be the game-winner and the Penguins kept their playoff hopes alive as they defeated the Predators 4-2.
Pittsburgh plays its final game of the season against the New York Islanders tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. CT while Nashville awaits to see who they'll play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
