Predators Edge Wild 2-1 Behind Stamkos’ 40th Goal

The Nashville Predators defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday as Steven Stamkos scored his 40th goal of the season and added an assist. With the win, Nashville improved to 38-32-10 on the year and remains one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second Western Conference wild-card spot with two games left on their schedule.

Stamkos, who now has 40 goals for the eighth time in his career, opened the scoring at 15:01 of the first period. The goal came after a slick pass from Luke Evangelista behind the net. Stamkos circled the post and beat Jesper Wallstedt with a wraparound to give Nashville a 1-0 lead.

Matthew Wood extended the Predators’ advantage to 2-0 in the second period. At 6:34, Wood converted a backhand pass from Stamkos with a wrist shot from the inside edge of the right face-off circle. Wallstedt had little chance on the play.

Minnesota got on the board in the third period when Michael McCarron cut the deficit to 2-1 at 6:54. Brodin’s initial shot from the blue line was tipped by McCarron, who then buried the rebound on the blocker side of Justus Annunen. It was McCarron’s first game against Nashville since being traded on March 3.

Annunen made 21 saves in the win, while Wallstedt stopped 20 shots for the Wild. Minnesota outshot Nashville 11-1 in the final period but could not find the equalizer.

Forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello and defenseman Jared Spurgeon were scratched for the Wild, which will finish third in the Central Division and face the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs.

Nashville has now won four of its last six games and remains in the thick of the wild-card race. With two games remaining, the Predators are in position to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Next up for Nashville is a home game against the Arizona Coyotes on Monday. Minnesota will close out the season on the road against the Colorado Avalanche.