Matt Duchene stays hot Preds top Blues
Matt Duchene scored twice and added an assist as the visiting Nashville Predators edged the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in overtime Thursday night.
Duchene, who has six goals in his last six games, scored the game-winner in overtime. Luke Kunin had a goal and an assist and Yakov Trenin also scored for the Predators, who finished their six-game road trip with a 4-1-1 mark.
Goaltender David Rittich made 33 saves in his first start of the season after finally getting clear of COVID-19.
Jordan Kyrou scored twice for the Blues, who have earned points in 10 of their 12 games. Vladimir Tarasenko scored, Robert Thomas had two assists and Jordan Binnington made 23 saves.
The Blues struck first when Kyrou took a quick touch pass from Tyler Bozak and beat Rittich over his glove from point-blank range 12:23 into the game.
Kyrou made it 2-0 about 4 1/2 minutes later with his first career power-play goal. Colton Parayko faked a shot from the left point and found Kyrou with a pass into the right circle — and Kyrou beat Rittich over his glove again.
The Predators cut their deficit to 2-1 just 17 seconds into the second period by scoring off the rush. Duchene skated into the slot, took a pass from Kunin and beat Binnington on his glove side.
Kunin and Duchene combined again 7 1/2 minutes later to tie the game 2-2. Duchene cut through the right circle and made a behind-the-back pass to Kunin, who attacked along the goal line and slid the puck through Binnington’s pads.
The Predators converted a turnover by Blues defenseman Marco Scandella into a 3-2 lead with 15:59 left to play. On a quick counter rush, Trenin scored a short-side goal from the left dot.
Tarasenko tied the game 3-3 by just over four minutes later by muscling his way from the left wing against three defenders to score just inside in the left post.
–Field Level Media