Steven Stamkos headlines Predators' 3-2 overtime win over Chicago, earns 14th career hat-trick

Stamkos earned his 14th career hat trick, Predators push past Chicago in overtime

(Stamkos and Soderblom/C/Tennesseean)

By Anthony Pellegrino @Pellegrinoap50 IceInsider.com Predators All Access Reporter

NASHVILLE--Steven Stamkos continues to flourish after a grueling thirteen-game point drought.

Now, it's safe to say the drought is "out of the woods." The veteran forward has eight points in his last three games.

Including his 14th career hat trick, and first as a member of the Nashville Predators, which he notched Saturday night, in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

"The year's been disappointing in a lot of aspects in terms of what we've wanted to accomplish," Stamkos said postgame. "To have special moments through the season, still (as a player), something you enjoy. It's why you love playing games."

In the second period, Stamkos drilled a puck past Arvid Soderblom on the power play, tying the game at one. Confidence is evidently back for Stamkos as he elected to shoot, whereas he most likely would've elected to pass during the drought.

Ten minutes later, Ryan O'Reilly dished a backhand pass from behind the net, out to Stamkos alone in the slot, where he beat Soderblom gloveside to give Nashville a 2-1 lead.

In overtime, Fedor Svechkov fed Stamkos with a one-timer, where he would end the game and earn his first hat trick as a member of the Nashville Predators.

Takeaways:

The Predators outshot Chicago 41-19, yet couldn't seem to execute (other than Stamkos), causing the game extra time.

Nick Blankenburg led Predators defensemen in time-on-ice (19:05). He earned an assist, one block, and two hits.

Jakub Vrana and Jordan Oesterle, both claimed by Nashville via waivers, made their Predators debuts.

Justus Annunen backstopped Nashville to victory, stopping 17 of 19 for his 8th win as a member of the Predators.

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