Predators at Stars
THE STORY: It was against the worst team in the NHL, but overcoming a three-goal deficit and recording the game-winner with under 10 seconds left in regulation is always an impressive feat. The Nashville Predators turned that trick against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, scoring four unanswered goals to close the game and securing the win when Martin Erat found the net. The 6-5 triumph gave the Predators six wins in their last seven games and helped keep them close to the pack in the tough Central Division. Nashville will try to tack another two points onto its total when it visits the Dallas Stars on Friday. The Stars have ridden a strong start to goaltender Richard Bachman’s career to wins in four of their last six games but are coming off a 4-1 setback to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSTN (Nashville), FSSW (Dallas)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (18-12-4): Nashville looked like it was on the verge of a blowout loss in the first period on Thursday, allowing a hat trick to Jeff Carter in the period and falling behind 5-2 early in the second. But the Predators chipped away, pulling within a goal with a pair of second-period tallies and tying it when David Legwand scored on the power play with under four minutes left. Erat, who had one goal in his previous 15 games, snapped the tie on a feed from Ryan Suter with 8.4 seconds remaining.
ABOUT THE STARS (19-13-1): Dallas expects to get Kari Lehtonen back soon from a groin injury but meanwhile will keep handing it over to Bachman, who allowed a total of three goals in winning his first three career starts. Opponents may be beginning to figure out the Salt Lake City native, who has surrendered 13 tallies in the last three, losing twice. Michael Ryder scored the lone goal for the Stars on Wednesday and has tallied in three straight.
OVERTIME:
1. Ryder has four points – two goals – in five career games against the Predators.
2. Erat has 17 points – three goals – in 29 career games against the Stars.
3. The teams split four meetings last season, with neither team winning by more than two goals.