NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Scott Hartnell scored with 22.5 seconds left and Tomas Vokoun stopped 31 shots in the Nashville Predators’ 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

The Predators scored all three goals in the third period, including two in the final 1:55, to snap a five-game winless skid.

Kimmo Timonen’s goal following a scrum in front of the crease put Nashville up 2-1, but Edmonton countered when Jason Smith’s shot deflected off Ryan Smyth and past Vokoun with 58.4 seconds left.

Hartnell, who missed several good chances earlier in the game, scored his fourth goal of the season from close range. Greg Johnson flipped the puck at Hartnell, who used his right hand to knock it down, then shoveled it past Jussi Markkanen.

Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish took a timeout, apparently hoping he might get a video review only to see the goal stand and hand the Oilers their second straight loss after a five-game winning streak.

Timonen also had an assist for Nashville. Martin Erat had the first goal for Nashville, and Jerred Smithson, Yanic Perreault and Danny Markov each had an assist.

Jarret Stoll gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 9:22 of the second. Shawn Horcoff and Chris Pronger each had an assist.

Edmonton outshot Nashville 33-27 and kept the pressure on Vokoun with 15 shots in the third period. The Predators, opening a four-game homestand, have been outshot in each of their last 12 games.

But Erat tied the game when skating along the right boards by flipping the puck at the net and beating Markkanen to the right side at 3:44 of the third.

The Oilers, who were outshot 14-2 in the first period in their 4-0 loss at Dallas on Monday night, came out with much more energy against Nashville. They took nine of the first 11 shots, but Vokoun kept them scoreless with saves that included a pad stop off a power-play shot from Stoll from near the blue line.

Notes: Edmonton’s Michael Peca was scratched for a fourth straight game because of a concussion. … Nashville scratched Steve Sullivan (strained groin) and Scot Nichol (bruised foot). … Vokoun has faced at least 30 shots in each of his last eight games.

AP-ES-11-08-05 2251EST


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.