NASHVILLE — The Calgary Flames started their three-game road trip in a way that’s been unusual for them this season.
They won.
Kris Russell scored 1:23 into overtime and Calgary beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 Tuesday night for its sixth straight victory and first on the road since Nov. 13.
“This is a huge road trip for us, and we wanted to start on a good note,” coach Bob Hartley said.
TJ Brodie also scored for the Flames, who improved to an NHL-best 8-1 in overtime. It was just their fourth win away from home this season and first since beating Washington 3-2 in overtime last month.
Cody Hodgson scored on his first career penalty shot for Nashville, which lost its second straight at home. The Predators dropped to 2-6 in overtime games, with both wins coming in shootouts back in October.
Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said the overtime games have ended the same way, with the Predators having chances to win and not converting.
“They didn’t drop for us, and that’s what happened in the previous games as well,” Laviolette said. “As soon as it doesn’t happen, it turns around and goes back the other way.”
Karri Ramo stopped a shot from Nashville forward Filip Forsberg in the opening seconds of overtime, then Russell finished a 2-on-1 with a wrister past Pekka Rinne on an assist from Johnny Gaudreau for the defenceman’s second goal this season.
Russell credited Ramo and Dougie Hamilton for getting the puck to Gaudreau.
“I was just going to the far post,” Russell said. “A guy like that, you just keep your stick on the ice and try to put it away, and I did. Johnny makes an incredible pass. When you have special players like that making plays, it’s a lot of fun.”
Russell’s goal gave Calgary its latest win over Nashville after sweeping the series last season.
Nashville managed to kill off four power plays, including 2 minutes of 5-on-3 in the second period.
The Predators wrapped up a three-game homestand in disappointing fashion despite outshooting another opponent, this time 22-21. They are 7-9-3 when outsh