Wood's Late Pair of Goals Sends Predators Past Lightning in OT
The short version
- Predators defeated the Lightning 3-2 in overtime on Sept. 22 at Bridgestone Arena
- Matthew Wood scored two third-period goals to erase a two-goal deficit
- Felix Nilsson scored the overtime winner, his first of the preseason
- Wood and Filip Forsberg combined for 23 shot attempts and 11 shots on goal
- Wood is expected to start the season as Nashville's second-line center
Matthew Wood erased a two-goal deficit with two third-period goals before Felix Nilsson finished it off in overtime on Sept. 22.
The Nashville Predators rallied for a 3-2 overtime preseason victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 22. Matthew Wood scored twice in the final frame to wipe out a two-goal deficit, and Felix Nilsson ended the game in the extra session with his first goal of the preseason. Nilsson inked a three-year entry-level deal with Nashville in May.
Wood skated on a line with Filip Forsberg and Nils Hoglander, and the trio drove the comeback once the Predators fell behind by two early in the second period. Per Natural Stat Trick, Wood and Forsberg together generated 23 shot attempts and 11 shots on goal while scoring twice. The roster featured roughly half of the players expected to dress for the regular-season opener.
Coach Andrew Brunette said Wood and Forsberg dictated large stretches of the game. Wood noted he needed some time to settle in but grew more comfortable as the night went on, calling Forsberg and Hoglander great players to play with.
Wood is slated to open the season as Nashville's second-line center and is expected to play alongside Forsberg after the two built chemistry late last season, when they shared 279 minutes at 5-on-5. Wood posted 17 goals and 13 assists across 71 games in that campaign.
