Predators Top Panthers

      The Nashville Predators came back on the Florida Panthers 2-1 in overtime on Thursday night at Amerant Bank Arena. Both teams faced each other for the second time in 11 days. Both clubs had two of the six worst records in the NHL entering tonight. 

      Florida(12-12-4) moved out to a 1-0 lead with 3:34 left in the first period. Sam Bennett angled a pass from the top left circle and Carter Verhaeghe put in a wrist shot from the left side of the crease past Juuse Saros for his fifth goal of the season. A.J. Greer picked up a secondary assist on the sequence. 

      After no scoring during the second period, Nashville(10-13-4) evened it up 1-1 at the 6:19 mark of the third period. Nicolas Hague pushed the puck from the left point and Michael Bunting released a shot from the low left circle which was saved. Ryan O'Reilly scored his ninth goal of the campaign on a backhand shot from the left side of the crease by Sergei Bobrovsky. 

      The Predators won the contest with 57 seconds left in overtime. Roman Josi made a drop pass in the high slot. O'Reilly carried it to the below the right circle and passed to the middle. Steven Stamkos scored on a forehand shot from the top of the crease for his eighth goal this season and 590th NHL goal in his career.