Eric Nystrom scores 4 goals for Predators

Eric Nystrom had six goals this season entering play on Friday. He scored four goals against the Flames.

By Adam Gretz Jan 24, 2014, 11:39pm EST

Sometimes you just can't predict hockey.

Take for example the Nashville-Calgary game on Friday night where Predators forward Eric Nystrom became the fifth player this season to record a four-goal game joining the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Martin St. Louis, Tyler Seguin and Sharks rookie Tomas Hertl.

What makes it so unlikely is that entering play on Friday Nystrom had scored just six goals all season, had never scored more than two goals in a game in his career, and was the only Predator to score a goal in regulation during the game.

Here he is putting in No. 4 as he redirects the puck through the legs of Reto Berra to give the Predators a 4-2 lead.

Unfortunately for Nashville the Flames would come back and tie the game to send it to overtime.

With less than a minute to play Nystrom nearly had a breakaway and a chance to score his fifth, but just couldn't handle the long-distance pass or beat his man.

The Predators would go on to lose in the shootout while Nystrom becomes just the 12th player since 1987 -- and the second this season, joining St. Louis -- to score four goals in a game and be on the losing team.