Ville Koivunen scores in overtime as Penguins beat Predators 3-2

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Pittsburgh’s Ville Koivunen ended the game 3:44 into overtime to lift the Penguins to a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday. The result capped a Penguins comeback after Nashville took the lead twice during regulation.

The Penguins fell behind first when Steven Stamkos put the Predators ahead 1-0 at 9:24 of the first period. Stamkos’ goal came after a pass from Matthew Wood that bounced off Stamkos’ skate and went past Arturs Silovs.

Nashville extended its advantage in the second period as Jayden Struble scored at 6:40 to make it 2-1. The goal was Struble’s first since being acquired in a trade from the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 9, and it began with Nils Hoglander intercepting a Pittsburgh pass along the end boards before feeding Struble for a snap shot from the right circle.

Connor Dewar drew Pittsburgh even early in the second period, tying the score 1-1 just 18 seconds into the frame. Elmer Soderblom’s pass from behind the net was redirected off Ryan O’Reilly’s stick to Dewar, who fired a wrist shot from the right face-off circle.

After Rakell brought Pittsburgh back in the third period, the game entered overtime tied at 2-2. Rakell scored the equalizer at 18:54 on a one-timer off a cross-ice pass from Sidney Crosby; it was Rakell’s second goal in three games after a nine-game drought.

In addition to the tying goal, the Penguins also received scoring earlier from Dewar, and Koivunen’s overtime strike sealed the win for Pittsburgh. Koivunen briefly lost control of the puck before recovering it and skating into the high slot for a snap shot.

Connor Dewar also contributed to Pittsburgh’s defensive posture while Arturs Silovs guarded the net, finishing with 24 saves. Juuse Saros made 34 saves for Nashville in the loss.

The Predators’ Jayden Struble scored at 6:40 of the second period to restore Nashville’s lead, but the Penguins closed strong in the third with Rakell’s tying goal late in the period. Jack Drury nearly scored for Nashville when he dove for a loose puck; however, the puck crossed the goal line just after the second period clock expired, ending regulation scoring at 2-1 entering the third.

Pittsburgh entered the game with a recent mix of results, and the win moved the team to 5-6-1 while snapping a stretch that included four straight losses. The Predators fell to 3-3-4 and have lost five of six.

Evgeni Malkin did not play for Pittsburgh because of an illness, according to the game report. With Malkin out, Pittsburgh relied on goals from Rakell, Dewar and Koivunen to complete the comeback and secure the overtime victory.