Predators notch OT win over Blackhawks, extend streak to seven

[December 18, 2021] The undermanned Nashville Predators stayed hot and won their seventh straight game, 3-2 in overtime against the host Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

The Predators played without eight players and their entire NHL coaching staff, all of whom are in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.

Tanner Jeannot scored 58 seconds into overtime, tapping in a Roman Josi feed that went through Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat's legs to Jeannot on the left side.

Thomas Novak and Colton Sissons scored and Juuse Saros stopped 17 shots for the Predators.

Kirby Dach and Jonathan Toews scored for the Blackhawks. Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves.

During a power play, Novak completed back-and-forth passing with defenseman Alexandre Carrier inside the blue line before skating to the top of the right circle and firing home his first NHL goal glove side, giving the Predators a 1-0 lead at 11:56 of the first period.

Dach tied it 1-1 at 13:57 of the opening period. MacKenzie Entwistle won a battle behind the net and got the puck out to Dach at the goal line at the left side of the net. The Blackhawks center made quick work of it, sending it over Saros' pad.

Nashville Predators left wing Tanner Jeannot (84) defends Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Carpenter (22) during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Predators pushed in the second period, outshooting the Blackhawks 15-6, but were unable to get anything by Fleury.

Nashville connected on the power play again in the third period to retake the lead. Filip Forsberg sent a pass through the circles to Sissons at the right faceoff dot and Sissons' snap shot hit Fleury's glove and then his back before landing in the net to make it 2-1 at 11:33.

Toews tied it 2-2 at 13:55 of the third. Riley Stillman found Toews uncovered at the side of the net and the Blackhawks captain shot a one-timer past Saros.

--Field Level Media

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.