Nashville Predators forward Luke Evangelista celebrates his third-period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 20, 2025 at Bridgestone Arena. COURTESY/NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Luke Evangelista couldn’t help himself.

As soon as the Nashville Predators forward saw his nifty backhanded shot enter the net midway through the third period Saturday night, Evangelista admitted he “blacked out.”

The 23-year-old gave a Herculean-like first pump that nearly hit a passing referee, punched the glass and embraced stunned teammates Erik Haula and Michael Bunting.

“In a moment like that, the adrenaline gets the best of you,” Evangelista said. “I just kept saying, ‘Oh my God.’ I couldn’t believe it.”

The moment was worth celebrating.

Evangelista’s go-ahead score broke a 2-2 tie with 10:42 remaining and powered the Predators to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bridgestone Arena.

He did it by rushing into the offensive zone with speed, toe dragging the puck from his forehand to his backhand to deke his way around Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly and shoveling a backhander from his knees and over the glove hand of Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll.

“That was one of the nicer goals I’ve ever seen, but don’t tell him,” Bunting said. “That was great. He’s so gifted skill-wise and sees the nice so well. He’s really good at slowing the puck down and making plays.”

Evangelista scored using a similar maneuver in a 8-2 win over the San Jose Sharks as a rookie in March 2024. The stakes were higher this time, facing his hometown team on Hockey Night in Canada in a game the beleaguered Predators needed to win.

“I’m not really surprised with the skill,” Andrew Brunette said. “I’ve kind of (seen) it. I think the moment was big. It’s kind of fun to watch a player grow in front of our eyes. He’s getting more confident and feeling more comfortable every game.”

Evangelista is enjoying one of the most productive stretches of his career following a summer contract holdout and a slow start to the season. He leads Nashville with 19 assists and a plus-8 rating and ranks third in points (23) and shots (73).

Brunette believes the difference is in Evangelista’s skating. There were times last season and earlier this year when the young forward wasn’t moving enough, according to his coach, which resulted in fewer opportunities to make an impact.

“I think he’s got the poise, the vision, the hockey sense,” Brunette said. “When he’s moving – he doesn’t even have to be skating as fast as a Connor McDavid – but when he’s got some motion … it buys him time or creates space for him. When you create space in our game, space is currency.

“It’s fun to see him make a play like he did tonight because there’s not too many guys in our league who can make that play.”

The victory is Nashville’s eighth in its last 12 games. Haula, Adam Wilsby, Steven Stamkos and Cole Smith also scored for the Predators.

Evangelista was thrilled to help his team extend the good vibes.

“That was a big game for us,” he said. “(Toronto) was desperate. We’re desperate and trying to climb. To get one late there, that’s a big goal. A huge rush (of emotion) there.”

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