Saros makes 41 saves, Predators shut out Blackhawks

NASHVILLE --Juuse Saros made 41 saves for the Nashville Predators in a 3-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

It was his second shutout this season and 13th in the NHL. He is 6-2-0 with a 1.13 goals-against average and .968 save percentage in his past eight starts.
"I think we've found our identity lately and we've had these big character wins lately," Saros said. "We're moving in the right direction, but there's also a lot of games left so we've just got to keep our foot on the gas."
Eeli Tolvanen, Colton Sissons and Luke Kunin scored for the Predators (20-18-1), who have won seven of their past eight games. Nashville is 5-0-0 against Chicago this season.
"We understand how important these games are, especially with these games that are head-to-head with these teams that are right neck and neck with us," Sissons said. "We've been able to rise to the occasion and not succumb to that pressure and make mistakes all night long. We're pretty comfortable right now, and we've built some confidence over the last few weeks here."
Kevin Lankinen made 18 saves for the Blackhawks (17-17-5), who have lost two straight and four of their past five.
"Obviously it's tough," Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith said. "It was a huge game, and these are the biggest games right now of the year. It's a tough loss but we did a lot of good things 5-on-5. Unfortunately, special teams, they scored a quick power-play goal in the first and then we had a tough power play and they ended up getting a penalty shot. Every goal is huge, especially this time of year, and it'd be nice to try to get that first one and carry some momentum."

Tolvanen gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 5:56 of the first period with a slap shot from the left circle on the power play.
"It's a pretty easy spot to play right now," Tolvanen said. "[Calle Jarnkrok] is making great plays on the seam passes, and we have [Roman Josi] up top and they have to respect his shot. I think that's opened up shooting lanes for me, and I think [Mikael Granlund] is doing a great job on the net front. I think it's just easy to try and hit those little spots there."
Sissons made it 2-0 at 10:14 of the second period. After being hooked on a shorthanded breakaway attempt by Blackhawks defenseman Adam Boqvist, Sissons beat Lankinen blocker side on a penalty shot.
"It was a bit of a longer wait than I would've liked," Sissons said. "I was a little nervous heading into that, but I had an idea pretty early on what I was going to do."

Shortly after the Blackhawks failed to score on a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:55, Kunin extended the lead to 3-0 at 9:54 of the third period on a rebound in the slot. Defenseman Jeremy Davies had the primary assist for his first NHL point in his ninth game.
"Hockey's a weird game," Chicago forward Dylan Strome said. "I thought we played pretty good. We had a lot of chances. We ran into a hot goalie and they scored on their chances. It's frustrating, but we have to find a way to climb out of this little hole we're in and get some wins."
NOTES: Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson left the game in the second period because of "upper-body discomfort" following a collision with Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach. … Chicago forward Brandon Hagel was removed from the COVID-19 protocol list Saturday after missing practice Friday. He had four shots on goal in 13:27 of ice time. … Josi's assist on Tolvanen's goal was his 435th NHL point, passing Mark Streit for the most by a Switzerland-born player in League history.