Flames rally behind Tkachuk, beat Preds in OT

[November 01, 2019]  Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk tied the score in the final minute of regulation and tallied a spectacular game-winning goal at the buzzer in overtime as the Flames rallied past the host Nashville Predators 6-5 on Thursday.

The Flames scored four times in the third period to erase two deficits -- 4-1 and 5-4 -- to snap a two-game (0-1-1) losing skid.

Tkachuk, who also had an assist in a three-point night, completed the rally by shooting the puck from between his legs in a highlight-reel goal that beat Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne for the winner.

Derek Ryan and Elias Lindholm each had a goal and an assist, and Rasmus Andersson and Alan Quine added goals for Calgary. Sean Monahan had three assists and Johnny Gaudreau two.

David Rittich stopped 31 shots.

Nashville's Austin Watson posted a career night with two goals and two assists, and Calle Jarnkrok netted two short-handed goals. The Predators' Nick Bonino also scored, Colton Sissons had two assists, and Rinne stopped 21 shots.

Filip Forsberg returned to the Nashville lineup after missing six games due to a lower-body injury.

The fans saluted Watson, 27, when the Predators announced over the public address system that they had signed him to a three-year, $4.5 million contract extension, and the forward and the team played as if inspired from the outset.

Bonino scored all three goals in the club's 3-0 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, and he stayed hot against the Flames.

Bonino collected a rebound and swept in a backhander through Rittich's pads at 5:33 of the first period for his fourth consecutive goal for Nashville -- all on rebounds. It was his team-best seventh tally.

Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) trips Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Sissons skated below the goal line almost five minutes later and dished a pass back to Watson, who popped in his second goal of the season, but Ryan scored his second goal of the season after a slick pass through the crease from Tkachuk at 15:27.

Nashville scored its third short-handed goal of the season in the second period. Watson intercepted a pass to start a two-on-one with Jarnkrok, who wristed in his fourth at 4:36.

Jarnkrok tallied his second short-handed goal when Watson lunged and chipped a loose puck to him, starting a two-on-one with Roman Josi. But Jarnkrok shot the puck instead, roofing a wrister over Rittich at 18:52.

In a wild third period, Andersson beat Rinne on the glove side at 1:58, Lindholm scored his team-leading ninth at 13:38 and Quine tied it with 3:21 remaining.

Watson put Nashville up with 82 seconds remaining, but Tkachuk tied it with 39 seconds to go with Rittich pulled from his goal and the extra attacker on.

--Field Level Media

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