CALGARY — Tommy Novak scored the shootout winner for the Nashville Predators, who kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over the host Calgary Flames on Monday.
Zach Sanford and Egor Afanasyev also scored for the Predators (41-31-8), who have two home games remaining in the regular season — on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild and Friday versus the Colorado Avalanche.
Nashville’s goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 42 of 44 shots in regulation and OT, and three of four in the shootout.
The Winnipeg Jets beating the San Jose Sharks 6-2 earlier Monday meant both Calgary and Nashville needed the win at the Saddledome to stay mathematically alive for the post-season.
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The Jets (45-32-3) have two games remaining in their regular season, and a game in hand on the Flames. Winnipeg is on the road against the Wild on Tuesday and the Avalanche on Thursday.
Troy Stecher and Mikael Backlund scored in regulation and Jonathan Huberdeau in the shootout for the Flames (37-27-17), who close out their season Wednesday against the visiting Sharks.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 of 29 shots in regulation and OT. Cody Glass and Novak scored on him in the shootout.
Calgary’s 17 overtime and shootout losses is the most in the NHL.
Sanford gave the Predators a 2-1 third-period lead at 4:02, but Backlund tied the game at 8:03.
Backlund finished a tick-tack-toe passing play from Jonathan Huberdeau and Andrew Mangiapane threading a shot under Saros’ right armpit.
Markstrom made an initial save on Glass, but dragged the puck into the crease with his right pad for Sanford to bang into the net.
Stecher knotted the score 1-1 at 7:41 of the second period within seconds of Calgary killing off a Huberdeau tripping minor.
With Huberdeau providing a screen, the defenceman threaded a rising shot through traffic over Saros’ shoulder
The visitors led 1-0 after the opening period. Afanasyev scored the first NHL goal of his career at 5:49.
Predators forward Mark Jankowski chased the puck behind Calgary’s net.
The former Flame fed the 22-year-old Afanasyev in the slot to sweep the puck in far side.
Nashville was scoreless on six power-play chances and Calgary 0-for-5.
NOTES: Nashville took the season series against Calgary 3-0 … The Preds were minus defenceman Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene (upper body), as well as centre Ryan Johansen (lower body) … Calgary’s power play is 2-for-15 in April.
UP NEXT
The Flames conclude their regular season at home Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks.
The Nashville Predators have two home games left to play against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
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