Predators Beat Maple Leafs 5-3 on Evangelista's Winner

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Nashville Predators forward Luke Evangelista scored the game-winning goal in the third period to lead his team to a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Evangelista broke a 2-2 tie at 9:18 of the final frame, driving down the right wing and deking Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly before backhanding the puck over goaltender Joseph Woll. The 23-year-old's tally proved decisive in a matchup between two teams seeking momentum after recent losses. Nashville improved to 2-1 in its last three games, while Toronto dropped four of its past five.

The Predators, who entered the contest coming off a 4-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, struck first on the power play in the second period. Erik Haula tied the score at 1-1 at 4:56, redirecting a shot from the point by Roman Josi past Woll. Nashville has now converted on the man advantage in six of its last seven games, ending Toronto's streak of five contests without allowing a power-play goal.

Toronto had opened the scoring early in the first period. Nicolas Roy tipped a pass from Bobby McMann at 1:32 for his first goal of the night, marking his 400th career NHL game....