Predators Sweep Doubleheader Over Panthers

     The Nashville Predators got a doubleheader sweep as they beat the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Monday night at BB&T Center. It was the second game of a doubleheader between both teams. They have played a preseason doubleheader annually since September 2013.
     Florida got on the scoreboard first with 5:01 left in the first period. A shot in the slot area was blocked by a defender's skate and Nick Bjugstad poked in the loose puck from the low slot by Pekka Rinne.
     Nashville tied the contest up at 7:36 of the second period on a 5-on-3 power play. Ryan Ellis had the puck at the top of the zone and passed it to the left circle. Filip Forsberg waited and then fired a slapshot past James Reimer.
     The Panthers regained the lead 2-1 with 7:54 remaining in the second. Jacob MacDonald fed a pass from the left side of the net to the slot area and Anthony Greco placed in a wrist shot from close range.
     The Predators answered back quickly just 58 seconds later. Kevin Fiala connected a lead pass from the blue line to Ryan Johansen in the left circle and he snapped it a shot to tie the contest.
     The Cats found themselves behind as the Preds took their first lead of the game with 4:13 to go. Fiala was able to score on assists from Dan Hamhuis and Johansen.
     In the third period, Nashville gained a two-goal margin with 11:03 left. Fiala released a shot from the high slot that hit the left post. Forsberg then swept it in from the blue paint behind Sam Montebeault for his second goal of the game.
     Florida pulled their goalie for an extra attacker and moved closer as they converted on a 6-on-4 power play with 47.4 seconds remaining. Dryden Hunt carried the puck around the Nashville cage and found Patrick Bajkov below the right circle for a one-time shot.
     Forsberg put his third goal of the contest into an open net with 13.9 seconds to go to give the Predators the victory. Fiala compiled his fourth assist of the game on that play.