Glendening, Red Wings defeat Predators, earn split

NASHVILLE -- Luke Glendening had a goal and two assists in his return to the Detroit Red Wings lineup, and they defeated the Nashville Predators 4-2 at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

Glendening missed two games because of an upper-body injury. He scored for the first time in 42 games, and it was his first three-point game in the NHL (513 games).
The Red Wings (4-10-2) won for the second time in 12 games and split the two-game set here, having lost 3-2 on Thursday. Jonathan Bernier made 21 saves after missing seven games because of an upper-body injury.
"Just physically, I think [I was] a little tired toward the end," Bernier said. "Didn't really get that much practice to get in shape, but overall I was seeing the puck pretty good."

Pekka Rinne allowed three goals on 24 shots before being pulled after two periods for the Predators (6-9-0), who have lost six of their past eight. Juuse Saros made five saves.
"Very frustrating," Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "There's no excuses. Like, we're not making excuses. We're not feeling bad for ourselves. Our play right now is unacceptable. The results are unacceptable. It needs to change. It's not like we have a lot of time. The good thing is every game is a (Discover Central) division game and it gives us an opportunity to catch up, but we're digging ourselves a hole. And it's only due to ourselves. It's no one else's fault but the guys in that locker room."
Robby Fabbri gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 4:59 of the first period on a one-timer from the slot after Valtteri Filppula skated around the net and passed to him.
"We've played pretty good games here in a row since we lost and got embarrassed by [the Tampa Bay Lightning]," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said, referring to a 6-1 loss Tuesday. "I thought we could've been rewarded the last game against Nashville. I thought we could've been rewarded the second game against [the Florida Panthers, a 2-1 loss Feb. 5]. So it's good to find ways to win. I thought we came out after what was really a gut punch after the loss the other night where they scored with a minute to play, and we talked about it as a group like these are moments that really show your character. You've got to come back and find a way to play great hockey, and I thought certainly for two periods we played real good hockey."

Adam Erne made it 2-0 at 12:24 on a backhand from the right face-off circle, scoring for the first time in 36 games. Glendening extended the lead to 3-0 at 17:22 of the second period on a backhand from the left circle on the rush.
"I was excited to get back," Glendening said. "It's tough watching. I was excited to get back and excited to be part of a win here."
Filip Forsberg cut it to 3-1 at 7:57 of the third period when he centered the puck and it deflected in off the skate of Red Wings defenseman Marc Staal.
"We're not really dialed in, I think that's the biggest thing," Forsberg said. "Obviously Detroit came ready to play. They played a lot more physical than the other day, and we didn't match that at all until the third where we got going. It's obviously not good enough."

Anthony Mantha made it 4-1 at 14:56 on the rush off a pass from Glendening.Rocco Grimaldi scored with 47 seconds remaining for the 4-2 final.
"I think our last four or five games have been pretty good," Bernier said. "We've just got to keep doing the right thing and good things will happen."
NOTES: Glendening last scored Jan. 5, 2020, at the Chicago Blackhawks. … Erne last scored Dec. 17, 2019, when he got two goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets. … Fabbri has three points (two goals, one assist) in his past two games. … Forsberg has seven goals this season. No other Predators player has more than three.