Tampa Bay’s Corey Perry netted a tiebreaking rebound in the third period, and the Lightning hung on to move back to the top of the Atlantic Division standings with a 3-2 win over the visiting Nashville Predators on Sunday.
Perry’s 15th goal overall and fourth in 13 games back in Tampa at 6:52 allowed the Lightning (46-21-6, 98 points) to tie Buffalo in points with one game in hand over the resurgent Sabres.
Jake Guentzel had a goal and two assists, and Brandon Hagel matched his career high in goals with 35, which he set last season for Tampa Bay. The Lightning earned points in their eighth straight match and swept the two-game season series against the Central Division team. Goaltender Jonas Johansson made 29 saves.
Filip Forsberg notched a goal and an assist, Joakim Kemell scored his first NHL goal in his 10th career contest, and defenseman Justin Barron recorded an assist in his 200th game as the Predators (34-31-9, 77 points) lost their third straight match (0-3-0).
Nashville opened the day leading the idle Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second 2 wild-card slot but failed to strengthen their position. The Predators’ Justus Annunen stopped 25 shots.
With both clubs playing the second game of back-to-backs, backup goalies Annunen and Johansson had the net duties in the late afternoon tilt between two teams needing points.
After Nashville’s first power play ended at the 10-minute mark, Hagel lasered one by Annunen that clanged off both goal posts but stayed out, leaving the Lightning still officially without a shot.
Brayden Point finally put one on Annunen with three minutes remaining, but the Predators outshot Tampa Bay 10-1 in a season-low showing for a period by the home side.
Nashville broke through in the second when Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak shoved winger Kemell on a breakaway pass from Forsberg, sending the rookie, Johansson and the puck into the net at 8:31. Officials reviewed the tally and upheld it.
Guentzel evened it five minutes later by finding a rebound and potting it for his 35th marker.
In the third, Guentzel stripped Ryan O’Reilly and fed Hagel for his 35th score at 4:33, but Forsberg tied it just 20 seconds later on a double-deflection that went in off Tampa Bay defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous, setting up Perry’s late heroics.
