Ryan O’Reilly scores go-ahead goal as Predators rally to beat Canadiens 5-2

Ryan O’Reilly scored the go-ahead goal with 3:16 remaining, and the Nashville Predators overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Thursday night.

According to the report, the turning point came on the power play. O’Reilly redirected a point shot from Roman Josi, placing Nashville in front at a moment when Montreal’s lead had looked secure.

The goal arrived quickly after a mistake at the other end of the ice. The report said Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson tripped Steven Stamkos in the neutral zone, giving the Predators their chance and triggering the sequence that ended in O’Reilly’s finish.

With the game tightening late, Nashville’s ability to turn a single special-teams opportunity into momentum was a critical factor. Instead of letting Montreal play out the final minutes with a two-goal cushion, the Canadiens had that margin eliminated less than a minute after the penalty.

The 5-2 final underscores how fully the Predators seized control after catching up. Once Nashville found the lead, the report indicates Montreal could not stabilize, and the scoring gap widened as the late rally carried through to the final horn.

For the Canadiens, the loss highlights the risk of neutral-zone penalties late in games. A trip that grants a power play can be especially damaging because it compresses the time available to regroup defensively, and Montreal’s late margin evaporated after that call.

For Nashville, the result is a reminder that veteran scoring and special-teams execution can swing a contest even after a slow start. O’Reilly’s timing and Josi’s role as the point option were central to the decisive phase, setting up what to watch as the teams continue to build their late-game identity.