Five months ago, Luke Evangelista missed on his chance in a shootout against goaltender Darcy Kuemper.
That moment on Oct. 25 stuck with Evangelista ahead of the Nashville Predators’ matchup with the Los Angeles Kings on April 2. He scored the game clinching goal, beating Kuemper to earn Nashville (35-31-9, 79 points) an important two points in a 5-4 shootout win over Los Angeles (30-26-19, 79 points).
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“I actually had a shootout against (Kuemper) earlier this year and cut back to the forehand,” Evangelista told the FanDuel Sports Network after the win. “I watched it back and thought I should have gone backhand. Fortunately I got a chance at redemption there. Took it backhand that time. And, yeah, it worked out.”
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.
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Ottawa Senators defenseman Nick Jensen (3) passes the puck past \Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) shoots past Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) battles Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) scores a goal past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville right wing Matthew Wood (71) and right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrate Evangelista’s first goal of the year against Tampa Bay during their game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville right wing Luke Evangelista (77) and Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) fight for the puck during their game against the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista signs autographs during the Gold Walk before their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 22, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) gets up after an injury during the first period against the Utah Hockey Club at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 14, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) defends against Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 8, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) shoots scoring an empty net goal against the Seattle Kraken during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 6, 2025.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates scoring a goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) collides with Calgary Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl (7) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nov 9, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) clears the puck out of their zone against the Utah Hockey Club during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) battles Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista sign autographs during the gold walk before their season opener against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
A shot from Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) flies past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs (31) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 3, 2024.
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The Nashville Predators’ Luke Evangelista (77) redirects a shot in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Arturs Silvos during Game 5 at Rogers Arena. The Predators won the game, 2-1.
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Nashville Predators forward Luke Evangelista (77) and goalie Juuse Saros (74) celebrate the victory against the Vancouver Canucks at the end of Game 5 of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs (31) is able to stop the puck with Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) adding pressure at the goal during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, April 28, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) looks to pass the puck past Vancouver Canucks center Sam Lafferty (18) during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, April 28, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) fight for the puck during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.., Friday, April 26, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) deflects a shot over the reach of Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.., Friday, April 26, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) passes the puck past Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
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Detroit Red Wings center Joe Veleno (90) and Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) fight for the puck during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 23, 2024.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) smiles after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
San Jose Sharks goaltender Magnus Chrona (30) defends against Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) congratulates left wing Filip Forsberg (9) on scoring a goal past the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) falls to the ice with the puck during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 2, 2024.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) moves the puck past Minnesota Wild center Connor Dewar (26) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) passes the puck past New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) fights for the puck with Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) and defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) fights for the puck with Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) moves the puck past Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.
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Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram (39) blocks a shot from Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) leaps over the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks with left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
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Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward in NHL
Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) struggles to get the puck past Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (27) and left wing Dylan Holloway (55) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista signs autographs on the Opening Night Gold Walk before facing the Seattle Kraken at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
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Apr 1, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) and teammates wore a jersey patch for The Covenant School on their shoulder during the game against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) is congratulated by defenseman Tyson Barrie (22) and teammates after a goal during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) fights for the puck with St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella (6) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, April 1, 2023.
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Mar 18, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates with left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) and center Tommy Novak (82) after a goal against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
After seven previous Predators skaters failed to score, Evangelista skated in to the right of Kuemper, then deked to his backhand and scored to clinch the victory. The win pushed the Predators ahead of the Kings in the wild card race and tied with the San Jose Sharks for the second wild-card spot.
Nashville built a 4-1 lead in the second period, but allowed Los Angeles to tie it in the third period on a goal by Joel Armia. But the Predators didn’t panic, holding on for a crucial victory over the Kings.
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“That’s just textbook playoff hockey,” Evangelista explained. “You’re going to face adversity with momentum swings. We get a lead there and they claw their way back. But we stayed calm, we stayed poised. We found a way to get the extra point. That’s huge this time of year.”
The Predators had five different players contribute on the scoresheet, including Evangelista, Filip Forsberg, Zach L’Heureux, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. Goaltender Juuse Saros made 29 saves in regulation and overtime, then made all eight saves in the shootout for his 27th win of the season.
“Everyone wants to play their best this time of year,” Evangelista said. “Push our way into the playoffs. That depth is so important for us. You see it in a game like this, everyone contributing.”
Next up, the Predators visit the Sharks in a showdown for the second wild card spot on April 4 (9 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Luke Evangelista’s early season missed goal lifted Predators to win