Pete Weber Postgame Report
James Neal of the Nashville Predators
James Neal had his sixth career hat trick, scoring all three goals for the Nashville Predators in their 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.
The Predators have earned at least a point in 15 of their last 16 games. They swept the three-game season series from Edmonton.
Jordan Eberle and Iiro Pakarinen scored for the Oilers.
Edmonton got on the board first 7 minutes in when Connor McDavid picked off a pass at the blue line and sent it in front to Eberle for a tap-in past Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne. The Oilers had failed to score in their previous two home games.
Just more than a minute later, the Predators responded as Neal came in on a breakaway and calmly sent his 24th goal of the season through the legs of Laurent Brossoit.
Edmonton regained the lead 31 seconds into the middle period when Leon Draisaitl sent a backhand pass from behind the net to set up Pakarinen. But just 20 seconds later it was knotted up again as Neal used a screen to score his second of the game.
Nashville took a 3-2 lead 4 minutes into the third period when Neal beat Brossoit cleanly on a wrist shot.
Edmonton had some chances during a late flurry with Brossoit pulled, but Nashville was able to keep the Oilers from sending the game to overtime.
The Predators return to the ice on Thursday.as they host the New York Islanders. Face-off is set for 7 PM and Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast as part of the Fifth Third Bank/Nashville Predators Radio Network.
