Kariya Leads Predators to Overtime Win over Red Wings

Paul Kariya was quiet for most of the night but made his presence felt when it mattered, scoring just 35 seconds into overtime to give the Nashville Predators a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

After the Red Wings had a chance to begin the extra period, the Predators regained control and a series of outlet passes put Kariya breaking through the Detroit zone with the puck. Goalie Manny Legace sprawled out after a quick fake and Kariya lifted the puck over him to give Nashville the win.

Nashville’s first goal of the game also came on a breakaway.

At 8:32 of the first period, Steve Sullivan snuck behind the Detroit defenders on a Red Wings power play and a long pass through the neutral zone sprung him free to break in alone on Legace. Sullivan faked around Legace, who sprawled across the crease before Sullivan lifted a shot into the net.

Detroit had opened the scoring with a five-on-three goal with 8:28 remaining in the first period. Mathieu Schneider put a one-timer from the top of the right circle into the net behind Nashville goaltender Tomas Vokoun as Brendan Shanahan set a screen in front of the goal.

The goal was Detroit’s only tally in the game and their only power play goal on seven chances. The Red Wings held Nashville without a power play goal on their seven tries.

Legace stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced while Vokoun made 38 saves on 39 shots agains.

Detroit will be back in action on Thursday when the Vancouver Canucks visit Joe Louis Arena.

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With Detroit earning one point for the overtime loss and Nashville picking up two points for the win, the two teams are now tied atop the Central Division and Western Conference standings. They meet five more times this season, including a home-and-home series before the Olympic Break and the last game of the season in Nashville.