Dallas Stars @ Nashville Predators 2-3 OT - 01/08

Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber scored two goals, including in overtime, to give the Predators a 3-2 win against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators (27-9-4) moved into first place overall in the NHL with 58 points and are 16-2-1 at home. Weber won the game 17 seconds into overtime on a wrist shot that deflected off Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen and rolled into the net. The goal was Weber's 10th of the season. Weber has four goals in the past five games after not scoring for 16 games. He is third on the Predators in scoring with 10 goals and 28 points. Weber gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 15:27 of the first period on a one-timer from the point. Forward Mike Ribeiro delivered a drop pass that Weber was able to slap past Lehtonen. Josi’s assist on the goal was his 100th NHL point. Dallas (18-15-7) tied the game on a goal by Jason Spezza at 12:51 of the second period on a wrist shot from a tough angle. Spezza saw some space between Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne and the post and was able to shoot the puck past Rinne. Forward Shawn Horcoff had the primary assist in his return to the lineup after missing four games because of illness. Nashville forward Miikka Salomaki scored his first NHL goal in his first game to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at 16:47 of the second period. Salomaki’s breakaway attempt was stopped by Lehtonen, but he was able to collect the rebound and score. Dallas defenseman Trevor Daley tied the game 2-2 with 1.6 seconds remaining in the second period. Daley took the pass from forward Jamie Benn and was able to jam the puck past Rinne from point-blank range. Forsberg appeared to give Nashville a 3-2 lead with 3:47 left in the third but forward Craig Smith made incidental contact with Lehtonen. The goal was disallowed after review, which was Forsberg’s second disallowed goal of the season. Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury and did not return. Forwards James Neal and Eric Nystrom were placed on injured reserve Thursday in addition to forwards Taylor Beck and Matt Cullen.

Stars Quotes

Jason Spezza: "They defend really well. Their defense is one of the best in the League. They have a tight gap. They outplayed us in the first, I thought we outplayed them in the second. It was a pretty even game, and then it comes down to overtime and special teams."
Kari Lehtonen: "I felt like we did some really nice things out there. We've had success here before. Everybody knows they've been playing well, but we're also confident when we come here. It was a tight game today. We just have to learn to turn them the other way."