Eichel's OT goal nets Sabres third straight win
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jack Eichel scored at 2:35 of overtime Tuesday night to cap a furious comeback as the Buffalo Sabres recorded a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
Eichel sailed down the left side and wristed a shot past Juuse Saros (5-3-2) for his second goal of the game as Buffalo (20-18-9) won its third straight - all in overtime.
It was just the second loss in eight contests for Nashville (23-17-8), which failed for the fourth time to win a season-high fourth straight game.
Viktor Arvidsson put Nashville ahead with a power-play marker at 5:08, his 12th of the season, by stuffing home the rebound of his miss past Robin Lehner at the left post. It was just Nashville's third goal in its last 35 man-advantage chances since Jan. 3.
James Neal made it 4-2 at 10:17 by ripping a one-timer from the high slot by Lehner for his 17th goal. Sabres coach Dan Bylsma challenged on the basis of offsides, but the goal was upheld after a replay review.
After Marcus Foligno's goal was waved off because he kicked the puck into the net, Buffalo drew within a goal on Brian Gionta's wrist shot from the left post at 14:10. The goal was his 11th of the season.
The Sabres then forced overtime moments after pulling Lehner for a sixth attacker as Kyle Okposo swatted a forehand off a stick and over Saros at 18:55 for his 15th goal of the season.
Lehner (12-12-5) made 35 saves for Buffalo, while Saros stopped 32 shots.
Nashville opened the scoring with a short-handed goal by Filip Forsberg at 8:43 of the first period. Calle Jarnkrok and Forsberg got a two-on-one, and Forsberg buried a wrister from the left faceoff circle for his 15th goal, his NHL-high 12th since Dec. 19.
Buffalo tied it at 12:12 of the second period with a rebound marker by Zemgus Girgensons, his sixth of the season. Girgensons pounced on Cody Franson's point blast that was deflected by Evander Kane, and he beat Saros with a backhand.
Cody McLeod restored a one-goal edge for the Predators at 17:28 with a wrister that somehow squeezed between Lehner and the right post. The play wasn't ruled a goal by the on-ice officials but was quickly changed after a replay review.
Eichel wiped out Nashville's brief lead by potting a rebound tally at 19:42, his 11th of the season. He collected Franson's shot from the point and shoveled a wrister by the flailing Saros.
NOTES: Buffalo D Dmitry Kulikov (back) returned to the lineup Tuesday night for his first game since Dec. 27. ... Nashville LW Colin Wilson (lower body) drew back into the lineup as well Tuesday night after missing the previous nine games, skating on a line with C Mike Fisher and RW Craig Smith. ... The Sabres scratched D Jake McCabe, D Casey Nelson and LW William Carrier. ... Predators scratches were D Brad Hunt, LW Harry Zolnierczyk and C Derek Grant, who they claimed off waivers earlier this month from Buffalo.