The Nashville Predators won 2-1 against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena, according to an April 11 game recap. Steven Stamkos scored his 40th goal of the season and added an assist, helping Nashville stay in contention for a Western Conference wild-card spot.
The result keeps Nashville one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the West with two games remaining. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Nashville would hold the regulation-wins tiebreaker if needed.
“It’s fun playing these meaningful games,” Stamkos said. “It (stinks) we let it kind of slip out of our control, but all we can focus on now is the next two. We’re fortunate they’re at home. That was a tough (road trip). Today was a great start.”
Matthew Wood also scored for Nashville, while Justus Annunen made 21 saves and has allowed only one goal in his past two starts. Michael McCarron scored for Minnesota in his first game against his former team since being traded on March 3. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 20 shots for Minnesota.
Minnesota had several regulars scratched for rest-related reasons: Joel Eriksson Ek, Mats Zuccarello, and Jared Spurgeon did not play. “I want to see guys play to their personal identities, and I want to see the team be able to play the way we want to play, regardless of if guys are in and out of the lineup,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “There’s a lot at stake for some guys in the lineup as well… there’s some habits and details and style of game that we want to play moving in (to the playoffs) regardless of if guys come in and out of the lineup.”
Stamkos became just the fourth active player to score at least forty goals with two franchises during his career—joining Alex DeBrincat, Jake Guentzel, and Matthew Tkachuk—and continues to be recognized by teammates as both a prolific scorer and leader on ice.
