Steven Stamkos Ties It, Scores Shootout Winner As Predators Beat Lightning 5–4

Steven Stamkos scored the tying goal in regulation and the only goal of the shootout as the Nashville Predators beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5–4 on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. Justus Annunen stopped all four Tampa Bay attempts in his first NHL shootout, ending Nashville’s run of five extra-time defeats.

Stamkos made it 4–4 at 7:27 of the third period on a power-play rebound before later beating former teammate Andrei Vasilevskiy in the fourth shootout round. Reid Schaefer, Adam Edstrom and Jayden Struble also scored for Nashville, which repeatedly answered Tampa Bay leads. Stamkos’ regulation goal was his 246th on the power play, tying Phil Esposito for sixth in NHL history.

Schaefer opened the scoring on a two-on-one, and John Carlson tied it for Tampa Bay. Jake Guentzel put the Lightning ahead 18 seconds into the second period, but Edstrom responded 27 seconds later. Victor Hedman restored Tampa Bay’s lead before Struble equalized late in the period.

Conor Geekie made it 4–3 in the third before Stamkos answered again. Nikita Kucherov finished with three assists, Carlson had a goal and an assist, and Vasilevskiy made 29 saves. Tampa Bay was outshot 13–7 in the third period and went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper pointed to miscommunication as his team let another lead slip. Hedman said Nashville’s pace and odd-man rushes had caused problems that Tampa Bay needed to correct. The result left the Lightning at 8–3–2, with a return home to face Detroit on Tuesday.

Predators coach Andrew Brunette praised his team’s response, while Stamkos credited special teams and Annunen’s saves. Filip Forsberg recorded multiple points for the fourth consecutive game. Nashville concludes its five-game homestand Tuesday against Carolina after finally securing the additional point that had escaped it in overtime and shootouts earlier this season.