A perfect 1-for-1 power play converted the game's only special teams opportunity at the most critical juncture, generating the only first-two-period scoring.

Celebrini produced two separate lead-restoring goals in the third period — each time San Jose conceded, he answered, preventing Nashville from gaining any psychological foothold.

Nedeljkovic conceded 0.5 goals below league-average on 27 shots, meaning his performance actively preserved the win rather than simply matching expectation.

Nashville went 0-for-1 on the power play — in a one-goal game with playoff elimination on the line, failing to convert their only man-advantage was a direct execution failure.

18 giveaways by San Jose provided Nashville six takeaways yet produced only two goals — the Predators could not capitalize on opponent mistakes at the rate the game required.

Nashville's inability to hold a lead after tying at 18:50 was made irrelevant by the prior Celebrini goal at 18:15 — the sequence exposed the Predators chasing rather than controlling.