By IHM Team | IHM News | November 5, 2025
Wild top Predators in OT after last-second equalizer by Stamkos
Johansson wins it at 3:38 of overtime as review confirms goalie-caused net displacement
ST. PAUL, Minn. Minnesota absorbed a gut punch and still closed the deal. After Steven Stamkos hammered a one-timer with 0.3 seconds on the clock to force overtime, the Wild regrouped and defeated the Predators 3-2 at Grand Casino Arena. The winner belonged to Marcus Johansson at 3:38 of OT in a rare sequence that required a long look from the NHL Situation Room.
The deciding play began when Nashville goaltender Justus Annunen knocked the net off its moorings during a scramble. Johansson’s first attempt struck the left side where the post should have been, and he immediately tapped the puck into the vacant space. On-ice officials ruled goal. Video review supported the call, determining Annunen’s actions displaced the net prior to the puck crossing, which by rule awards the goal.
Minnesota leaned on its top pieces all night. Kirill Kaprizov recorded a goal and an assist, again steering the power-play tempo from the top of the slot, and Brock Faber logged two primary helpers including the low-slot shot that Zeev Buium redirected for a second-period power-play strike. Filip Gustavsson handled 32 of 34 shots with sturdy tracking through layers.
Nashville earned its point in dramatic fashion. With Annunen pulled for the extra skater, Stamkos darted into the left circle and uncorked a clean one-timer off a high feed, beating Gustavsson over the shoulder with 0.3 seconds remaining to tie the game 2-2. Earlier, rookie Matthew Wood had pulled the Predators level 1-1 by slipping behind coverage for a back-door finish on a Michael McCarron backhand pass.
Minnesota opened the scoring at 10:44 of the first on a man advantage. Kaprizov walked into a wrist shot from the high slot through traffic for his third goal in six games, part of an eight-point surge in that span. The Wild restored control late in period two when Buium angled Faber’s low drive past Annunen for 2-1, setting the stage for the wild finish.
Scoring summary
- 1st, 10:44 MIN PP – Kaprizov 3, wrist shot from the slot (Faber, Johansson), 1-0
- 2nd, 5:16 NSH – Wood, back-door tap-in from McCarron, 1-1
- 2nd, 16:01 MIN PP – Buium, redirection of Faber shot in low slot (Faber, Kaprizov), 2-1
- 3rd, 19:59 NSH – Stamkos, one-timer from high left circle with extra attacker, 2-2
- OT, 3:38 MIN – Johansson, awarded after goalie-caused net displacement, 3-2
Goaltenders
MIN: Gustavsson 32 saves on 34. NSH: Annunen 22 saves on 25.
Team notes
- Minnesota power play goes 2-for-x on the night, both goals created through Faber’s point activation and Kaprizov’s half-wall gravity.
- Kaprizov up to 8 points in his last 6 games, continuing to drive controlled entries and east-west looks.
- Nashville drops a second straight in overtime after a 5-4 OT loss to Vancouver the previous night.
Coach Mark comment
Minnesota showed mature game management after an emotional swing. The Kaprizov unit kept pace and spacing simple, Faber’s point timing was excellent, and the bench reset quickly before overtime which is a good playoff indicator.