Predators 3, Panthers 2 (SO)
Rookie Filip Forsberg scored in the fourth round of the shootout as host Nashville survived a stunning comeback by Florida.
After forcing extra time with two goals 12 seconds apart in the final minute, the Panthers fell short in the sudden-death format as Forsberg beat Florida netminder Roberto Luongo with a low shot and Nashville counterpart Pekka Rinne stopped Brad Boyes. The loss extended Florida's winless streak in Nashville to nine games (0-6-1 with two ties).
Colin Wilson and Matt Cullen scored for the Predators, who have won six of their last eight. Rinne finished with 28 saves in regulation and overtime.
Luongo was the star of the night for Florida, stopping a season-high 48 shots. Rocco Grimaldi and Nick Bjugstad scored the late goals to help the Panthers salvage a single point.
After a scoreless opening frame in which Nashville outshot Florida 14-4, Wilson put the Predators on the board with 1:34 left in the middle frame after his centering attempt caromed in past Luongo. Cullen extended the lead with just under seven minutes remaining, converting a Derek Roy pass after the winger beat Florida captain Willie Mitchell to the puck.
Florida finally hit the scoresheet at 19:17 as Grimaldi jumped on a loose puck in the right circle and snapped a shot past Rinne's blocker. Bjugstad then stunned the Bridgestone Arena crowd at 19:29, flipping a shot from above the left faceoff dot that fooled Rinne.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bjugstad has scored seven goals in his last eight games. ... Neither team converted on the power play, as Florida went 0-for-2 and Nashville finished 0-for-4. ... The Predators had all five shots in overtime.