Predators blow big lead, get second wild card with loss to Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. --The Nashville Predators lost an early four-goal lead and settled for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference with a 5-4 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on Friday.

The Predators (45-30-7) will play the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 of their best-of-7 series starting at Colorado on Tuesday. They would have been the first wild card and played the Calgary Flames with either a win or overtime loss.
The Predators went 3-1-0 against the Avalanche this season and were the only team to defeat them three times, including 5-4 in a shootout at Ball Arena in Colorado on Thursday.
"I think we're all excited for that [series], for sure," Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier said. "That was a huge game for us. We did a lot of good things during that game, so we've got to build off that and have a solid game plan."
Colton Sissons, Ryan Johansen, Eeli Tolvanen and Mikael Granlund scored in the first 6:57 against Arizona before the Coyotes (25-50-7) rallied with five consecutive goals. Connor Ingram made 22 saves in his third NHL start.
"It was a disappointing loss. We came out strong in the first and then we just kind of sat back," Predators defenseman Roman Josi said. "We should have gone for our next goal and be more aggressive and play the same way, but we didn't. Every team is good, and if you relax or sit back for a second, a team's going to make you pay."

Harri Sateri made all 27 saves for Arizona after replacing Karel Vejmelka, who made two saves on six shots. Shayne Gostisbehere scored two goals and Travis Boyd, Jack McBain and Michael Carcone each scored once.
The Coyotes won their third straight after losing 10 straight (0-8-2), rallying much like they did in defeating the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday, when they trailed 3-0 in the third period.
"It was a mindset for us. We knew coming in this was an important game, and we didn't stay committed to what we needed to do for 60 minutes," Predators coach John Hynes said. "Now our mindset has to change. … We're in the postseason, and now we've got to get ourselves ready over the next few days for Tuesday."
The Predators would have dodged the Avalanche (56-19-7) by finishing off the Coyotes.
"They're an unreal team," Josi said. "They're one of the best teams in the League. A really fast team. Lots of skill. Every game we played them this year was a really tight, fast game."
Gostisbehere's shot from the point made it 4-1 at 13:21 of the first period and started the comeback. Boyd's redirection of Nick Schmaltz's shot cut it to 4-2 at 14:25 of the second.
"It all started when we scored the first goal … and then we really started to believe," Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny said.
McBain scored his second NHL goal at 18:24 to trim it to 4-3. Carcone tied it 4-4 at 1:51 of the third.
Gostisbehere's shot from the point through traffic gave Arizona a 5-4 lead at 10:27.
"They scored what, four goals in the first [seven] minutes?" Gostisbehere said. "Not the start you want, but it shows the team we have. Obviously we're not the best team, but it was a lot of fun winning."

Sissons scored 25 seconds into the first period for a 1-0 lead. Johansen made it 2-0 at 2:06 by checking Alex Galchenyuk off the puck, cutting to the net and scoring from the low slot.
Tolvanen pushed it to 3-0 at 2:51, and Granlund made it 4-0 at 6:57, and Sateri replaced Vejmelka.
"We've got to find a way to win this game after going up 4-0," Josi said. "But we've got to turn the page now."
NOTES:The Predators lost in regulation for the first time in the 33 games they led after two periods this season (31-1-1) and had never squandered a four-goal lead in a game they lost in their history. … Josi has eight points (three goals, five assists) in a six-game point streak. He had an assist to finish the season with 96 points, leading NHL defensemen. … Tolvanen was a healthy scratch in three of the previous four games. … Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm was held out for maintenance reasons. … Gostisbehere had seven points (three goals, four assists) in his final three games. … Predators forwards Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene each extended their point streak to eight games. Forsberg has four goals and eight assists and Duchene has five goals and six assists. … … Predators defenseman Jeremy Davies had an assist and four hits in 17:47 in his first game since April 1. … It was the final game for the Coyotes at Gila River Arena after 19 seasons. They will play at Arizona State University beginning next season.