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Video: Predators’ Kostitsyn gives up on Oilers goal

Nashville Predators v Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on February 23, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sergei Kostitsyn

Gregory Shamus

Nashville Predators winger Sergei Kostitsyn wasn’t on the ice for Lennart Petrell’s third period short-handed goal for the Edmonton Oilers.

But he was culpable in allowing the Oilers’ odd-man rush up the ice that led to the goal.

With the Predators on the power play just past the midway point of the third period, Kostitsyn was unable to handle a pass that bounced over his stick and into the neutral zone. It happens.

But, in an odd sequence of events, he was outmuscled for the puck by the smaller Sam Gagner, then, giving up on the play, decided to head to the bench on a line change despite the fact the Oilers had suddenly developed a two-on-one rush.

Gagner hit Petrell with a perfect pass and Petrell scored to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead.

The Oilers went on to win the game 3-2. Below is a video of the goal.

Kostitsyn owned up to his error afterward.

“I made a mistake. I went to change, I should have backchecked, but didn’t see the second guy was coming there,” he told The Tennessean.

“Even if it was a 1-on-1, I should go back, it doesn’t matter if I was tired. I should have gone back and pressured him from behind.”

Predators defenseman Scott Hannan left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return, as per Mark Spector of Sportsnet.