Josi lifts Predators in OT against Blackhawks to end three-game skid

NASHVILLE -- Roman Josi scored at 1:57 of overtime to give the Nashville Predators a 3-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

Josi took a pass from Mikael Granlund and beat goalie Malcolm Subban on the forehand for his first goal of the season.
"I saw some space," Josi said. "[Granlund] made a good play down low. He dropped it to me, and I saw that I had some space, and from there I was thinking about just taking it to the net and making a move on the goalie. Luckily it went in."
The Predators (3-3-0) ended a three-game losing streak, including two straight at the Dallas Stars. Pekka Rinne made 18 saves for his first win since Feb. 16, 2020.
The teams play again here Wednesday (7:30 p.m ET; NBCSN).
"It was a gutsy win," Rinne said. "It was big for us. Obviously, a disappointing trip to Dallas (two losses), even though we felt like we played fairly well. Obviously, it was a disappointing outcome, especially the first game (7-0 on Friday). Crucial win for sure. It's a back-to-back, huge points, and every game is so important right now. Just the way we played tonight, I thought that it was a full 60 minutes and overtime. We continued pressing. We were attacking the game and doing a lot of the right things, so you've got to give a lot of credit to the guys for sticking with it and playing hard."

The Blackhawks (2-3-2) extended their point streak to four games. Subban made 36 saves.
"I thought overall, we weren't willing to skate it, weren't willing to drive our legs when we got it, when we had time," Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said. "We need to be an option also, so we can advance the puck cleanly. So, many guys need to be better."
Granlund tied it 2-2 at 11:06 of the third period on a one-timer from the left face-off circle.
"I think that's the story of the night," Granlund said. "We were just talking, 'You've got to stick with it.' Just do the right things and it's going to come, and we were rewarded tonight. I hope it shows that for everybody. You've just got to do the right things, stick with it and the results are going to come."

Dylan Strome gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead at 2:59 of the first period on the power play. Andrew Shaw got to the rebound of a shot by Dominik Kubalik and passed it to Strome.
"We had a good start," Colliton said. "I liked the first period. We defended pretty well, decent forecheck, recovered some pucks and had some opportunities to even create more. The power play did a good job and scored. As the game went on, we didn't have enough guys going, both up front and on the back end. And I thought we got worn down."
Yakov Trenin scored for the Predators to make it 1-1 at 4:47 of the second period on a wrist shot on a breakaway. It was his first goal.

Mattias Janmark gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead at 11:43 of the second period. Predators forward Matt Duchene turned over the puck in the offensive zone, and Janmark beat Rinne for his third goal.
"I mean, we were hemmed in there, so just trying to stay in coverage," Janmark said. "I saw him looking up at their [defenseman], so I don't know. I baited him a little bit, maybe. I think I had a good position on the [defenseman], just trying to make sure he doesn't jump by me. But as soon as I see the pass coming, I try to jump on it. I think all the guys on the ice were tired, even them. That's when I think you can create those little extra chances. When you have that ability late in a shift, that's where the game opens up, so that was nice."
NOTES: The Blackhawks were without forward Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Adam Boqvist. They were placed in the NHL COVID-19 protocol Monday. … Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane did not have a shot attempt in 20:59 of ice time.