Tomasino Tallies OT Winner as Preds Beat Hurricanes in Carolina

Philip Tomasino played the role of hero on Tuesday night in Carolina.
The rookie forward scored at 2:49 of overtime to give the Predators a 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes at PNC Arena for their third-straight preseason win in the penultimate contest of the exhibition schedule.
The tilt moved Nashville to 3-1-1 through those five preseason games, and with both teams icing lineups nearly full of NHL regulars, Tuesday's game provided the toughest challenge yet for the Preds.

"Tonight, it was a stiff test, and I think that's what we were looking for," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said. "I thought there were some really good moments and pockets in the game where we were able to control and play to our identity, and then give Carolina credit, they're a good team, and I thought that they took it to us pretty good in the second period. I thought in the third period, we did a better job, so this is what we were looking for in tonight's game - a real competitive effort and to get tested on areas that we might need to get a little bit better on… This was good for the players to get themselves ready to the level that they need to compete against when the regular season starts."
"I thought we played really well," Tomasino said. "They're a really good team, and they played all their guys for the most part, so I think it was a good challenge for us and we executed pretty well. The second period could have been a lot better for our team, but I think we battled back pretty hard in the third and we got the job done, so that's the most important thing. Overall, I think we're definitely happy with this one."
The preseason exhibition provided Hynes another opportunity for a look at a new forward line, with Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg playing together for the second time this preseason.
The trio got to work early, cracking the score open just 27 seconds into the game after Johansen tapped in a feed from Duchene down low.

Carolina evened the score moments later, but in the second, the group struck again, taking quick advantage of a Canes penalty after a deflection from Duchene found the back of the net.
Johansen and Duchene both concluded the night with two points, with a goal and an assist from each, and Forsberg added a pair of helpers as well.

"I think they've had a really good camp so far," Hynes said of the line. "The public sees the exhibition games, and I think both games that they've played, I really like the way that they're working. They're all playing with pace, extremely competitive on the puck, I think their decisions offensively have been strong and they're creating offense in multiple ways… So, it's good to see. They all look quick, and even the way they're practicing, it's been good, I think they're really pushing themselves to get ready for the regular season."
The Canes forced the game into overtime with just 6:38 remaining in regulation when they tied the game once more, but Tomasino ended the night after he tucked in a pass from Forsberg.

"It was awesome, I mean, I thought we played a really good game tonight. Obviously, that was definitely a really good team, that's maybe some team that I haven't been able to play against in the past, so it was a really cool experience for me to be able to play against all those guys," Tomasino said. "It was a lot of fun, and Fil made a great pass and we kind of had an open shot right in the slot… It was a great play by him, and I was lucky enough to bury that."
The Predators special teams unit, a focus of Coach Hynes' during Training Camp, also proved an asset in Raleigh, going 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 1-for-2 on the power play.
"We spent a lot of time on the special teams throughout camp, and I think it's paying dividends in the games," Hynes said. "And to the players' credit, when we're working on them in practice and things like that, they're really pushing each other and it's nice to see them have some positives -- power play scoring, penalty kill doing a good job killing penalties -- I think that breeds momentum and confidence going into the regular season."
Juuse Saros, who stayed between the irons for the length of the game, stopped 32 of 34 shots faced.
With the preseason almost complete, the Preds will now head home for a day off before two more days of practice ahead of Saturday's matinee against Carolina at Bridgestone Arena. That will prove to be Nashville's dress rehearsal ahead of the regular season, and the anticipation is already building.
"Juice was really good for us tonight, so a lot of credit to him, but I think we just need to have the same mindset against them again on Saturday," Tomasino said. "It's going to be fun, and it's at home, so it's going to be a pretty good crowd, too."

Notes:
Prior to Tuesday's game, the Predators assigned forwards Matt Luff and Cole Smith, as well as defensemen Frederic Allard and Matt Tennyson, to Milwaukee of the AHL. Forward Rem Pitlick was claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Wild. Nashville's roster is now down to 28 players.
The Preds scratched forwards Luke Kunin, Nick Cousins, Mathieu Olivier and Michael McCarron, defensemen Ben Harpur, Philippe Myers and Mark Borowiecki, plus goaltender David Rittich on Tuesday night.
Nashville's final preseason game of 2021 comes Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena when they host the Hurricanes. Opening Night for the Predators is set for Oct. 14 as the Seattle Kraken come to town. Click here for tickets.