Predators 3, Capitals 1
Colin Wilson's goal with 24.3 seconds remaining in regulation capped a wild finish as the Nashville Predators shaded the visiting Washington Capitals 3-1 Tuesday night.
Wilson emerged as the hero, working a give-and-go with Martin Erat before wiring a shot that beat Washington's Tomas Vokoun to put Nashville ahead for good.
The loss prevented Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau from securing his 200th career NHL victory on his second try. He'll get another chance to reach the milestone Thursday night in Winnipeg.
Vokoun and Nashville's Pekka Rinne dueled to a scoreless opening 40 minutes, with the duo stopping all 41 shots they faced. The stalemate continued well into the third period, as Rinne made several sensational stops from in close to preserve the deadlock.
Washington's Troy Brouwer broke the silence with 4:46 remaining, gathering up a Marcus Johansson feed and firing a wrist shot that beat Rinne just below the crossbar. The lead lasted just 28 seconds as Erat converted a centering pass from defenseman Shea Weber, who had pinched in from the right point.
Weber rounded out the scoring with an empty-netter moments after Wilson's go-ahead goal.