Sunday, November 3, 2024, 6:17 a.m. – Stephan Häfliger
It was now or never for the Nashville Predators. At the end of the NHL table, a win in front of the home crowd was needed and the Preds got the 2 points. In the duel between Fiala and Kurashev it remained exciting until the last minute and the winner was finally found in the penalty shootout.
Fans and experts in the NHL had high expectations of the Nashville Predators. Not many expected to find Romani Josi’s team in last place in the table at the beginning of November. Today there had to be a sign of life from the team and above all the captain gave this signal. They beat the Colorado Avalanche at home 5-2. Romani Jose had the game-winning 3-1 goal and 2 assists. With 24:10 ice time, Josi was the most frequently used field player, had a +1 record, 4 shots on goal and was voted the 2nd best player of the game.
There was a Swiss duel in Los Angeles between the Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks. Fiala scored points with his two assists, but in the end Kurashev’s Hawks kept the better end for themselves. Los Angeles started strong, leading 1-0 after the first period and 2-0 after the second period. After 40 minutes, the home team also led 23:8 in shots. But then Chicago woke up and tied the game again in the third period. The 3:2 for LA in the 52nd minute seemed to be the decision until Tyler Bertuzzi equalized again for Chicago 31 seconds before the siren. Since no goals were scored in extra time, a penalty shootout finally took place. Chicago scored with all three shooters, but LA only scored twice and so the extra point goes to Chicago. Kurashev had 18:13 of ice time and one shot on goal with a -1 record, while Fiala had 20:49, a +1 record and 4 shots on goal.
Pius Suter was the hero for the Vancouver Canucks. Visiting one of the weaker teams in the league, anything other than 2 points would be a disappointment. The Canucks fell behind in the 23rd minute, but Pius Suter equalized 1-1 in the second period with his third goal of the season. With only 26 seconds on the match clock in the final third, it was Suter who saved the Canucks’ victory. With a wonderful direct shot in the slot, he made it 3-2 for his Canucks and was deservedly voted the first star of the game. Suter logged 12:39 of ice time, had 3 shots on goal and a +2 record.
Akira Schmid was the backup goalkeeper for the Vegas Golden Knights today. It remains to be seen whether he will play in Edmonton on Wednesday or in Seattle on Friday.
Results:
Nashville Predators (mit Josi) – Colorado Avalanche 5:2
St. Louis Blues – Toronto Maple Leafs 4:2
Pittsburgh Penguins – Montreal Canadiens 3:1
Detroit Red Wings – Buffalo Sabres 2:1
Ottawa Senators – Seattle Kraken 3:0
Washington Capitals – Columbus Blue Jackets 7:2
Los Angeles Kings (mit Fiala) – Chicago Blackhawks (mit Kurashev) 3:4 nP
Philadelphia Flyers – Boston Bruins 0:3
Florida Panthers – Dallas Stars (in Tampere, Finland) 4:2
Vancouver Canucks (mit Suter) – San Jose Sharks 3:2
Vegas Golden Knights – Utah Hockey Club 4:3 n.V.
