Johansen propels Predators past Lightning

NASHVILLE -- Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist to help the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.

Kyle Turris and Filip Forsberg also scored, defenseman Mattias Ekholm had two assists and Pekka Rinne made 29 saves for the Predators (15-5-1). Rinne is 9-0-1 against the Lightning in his NHL career.
"I think for a fan, tonight's game was awesome," Johansen said. "They got to see two of the top teams in the League right now going toe-to-toe. We did a lot of good things, they did good things and ultimately we found a way to get the win done. That's definitely a good accomplishment beating those guys twice in a year."
WATCH: [All Lightning vs. Predators highlights]
Brayden Point had his third straight multipoint game with two assists for the Lightning (14-6-1). Louis Domingue made 31 saves.
Lightning forward Alex Killorn had a goal taken away when he was penalized for tripping Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis at 18:03 of the second period.
"It was two different games," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "They dictated the pace in the first half, we dictated in the second half. We both scored three, one was called back. That was ultimately the difference in the game."

Victor Hedman gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead at 5:10 of the first period on a slap shot off the rush. It was Hedman's fourth goal of the season and his 371st career point, tying former forward Vinny Prospal for fifth on the Lightning's all-time scoring list.
Turris tied it 1-1 on the power play at 15:19 of the first period when he received a pass from Predators forward Calle Jarnkrok and beat Domingue from the right face-off circle for his fifth goal.

"We have 82 games during the year and some of them won't be as special, but as soon as there's one of those games where it's 1 versus 2 and we're playing a really good opponent, I feel like everyone is bringing their 'A game,'" Ekholm said. "We really played a good game. We really played hard."
Forsberg gave the Predators a 2-1 lead at 6:43 of the second period on a wrist shot from the left circle. He took a drop pass from Ekholm on the rush and scored his 13th goal.
"In the first 15 minutes of the second period, I think we were playing really, really good hockey against a really good team," Forsberg said. "We could've scored a couple more goals. They had a couple of great saves there. I think that's how we've got to play."

Johansen made it 3-1 at 10:16 of the second period when he redirected forward Craig Smith's shot past Domingue for his fourth of the season.
"It's good to get rewarded obviously, especially in a game like tonight to contribute and help the team win," Johansen said. "I thought we did a lot of good things versus [the Los Angeles Kings in a 5-3 win on Saturday] and didn't get rewarded, so it was nice to be on that side tonight."
Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning to make it 3-2 at 3:25 of the third period on a forehand-to-backhand shot. Point led the rush through the neutral zone and found Kucherov for his eighth goal.

They said it

"Your goaltender has to give you a chance to win, and that's what he did. We're pressing there, they get the breakaway and he stopped it. He gave us the chance. I mean, I didn't even see Forsberg's [goal]. That thing was in and out. I don't know too many people who are stopping that one." -- Lightning coach Jon Cooper on goaltender Louis Domingue
"He's a horse. He's a big reason our [defense corps] is talked about around the League and recognized a lot. Sometimes he goes a little under the radar with some of our other big names, but he's a huge part of our team for sure." -- Predators forward Ryan Johansen on defenseman Mattias Ekholm

Need to know

Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak's assist on Hedman's goal was his first NHL point; Ryan McDonagh got his 200th career assist. … Lightning forward Cedric Paquette missed the game with an undisclosed injury. … The Predators won 40 of 54 face-offs. … Predators defenseman Roman Josi has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past six games.

What's next

Lightning: Host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-F, SUN, NHL.TV)
Predators: Host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; FS-MW, FS-TN, NHL.TV)