Steven Stamkos scored twice in the third period to give the Nashville Predators a 4-3 comeback win over the Utah Mammoth on Monday in Salt Lake City.
The Predators erased three separate Utah leads, with Stamkos recording the final equalizer with a power-play tally 11:39 into the third period. Just 1:38 later, Stamkos gave Nashville its first lead as Ryan O’Reilly’s pass found him in front of the net for the go-ahead snipe.
Stamkos also had an assist, giving the veteran forward 20 points (13 goals, seven assists) over his last 16 games. His second goal was the 599th of his NHL career, putting the superstar forward on the cusp of becoming the 22nd member of the 600-goal club.
Juuse Saros stopped 28 of 31 shots for the Predators, who are 11-5-0 in their last 16 games.
Luke Evangelista and Roman Josi scored Nashville’s other goals. O’Reilly had two assists.
The Mammoth are on a two-game skid and are 2-4-0 over their last six games.
Dylan Guenther had a goal and an assist for Utah. JJ Peterka and Mikhail Sergachev had the Mammoth’s other goals.
Vitek Vanecek stopped 22 of 26 shots and is on a personal nine-game (0-8-1) winless streak.
The Mammoth opened the scoring on Peterka’s power-play goal 5:48 into the first period. Josi equalized for Nashville at the 9:51 mark, when the defenseman’s quick shot beat a screened Vanecek.
The second period followed a similar script, as Utah regained the lead and the Predators again responded four minutes later. Sergachev’s point shot found its way into the net 3:41 into the second, but Evangelista then deposited a rebound at the 7:51 mark.
Guenther’s team-leading 17th goal put Utah ahead once more 4:02 into the third. Strong forechecking from Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton resulted in Crouse finding a wide-open Guenther in front of the net for the finish.
After Stamkos’ two goals, the Predators held steady despite two Mammoth power plays, including a 5-on-3 advantage over a 25-second span.
