Predators Drop High-Stakes Contest to Jets 2-0

In a high-stakes matchup with key playoff implications, the Nashville Predators were shut out 2-0 by the Winnipeg Jets Saturday at Canada Life Centre.
Juuse Saros made 36 saves in goal for the Predators, who moved to 40-31-8 on the season and remain three points behind Winnipeg for the final Western Conference Wild Card spot.

THE STORY

The Predators were solid in the first period, going 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and outshooting Winnipeg 8-7.
The Jets responded with a staggering 20-5 shot advantage in the middle frame; still, the game remained scoreless until 15:06 of the second period, when Mark Scheifele broke the ice with a shot from the high slot that deflected off of Saros' glove and into the net to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead.
Neal Pionk extended the lead early in the third period, capping off a rush play with a laser that went top shelf at 1:36 for the 2-0 final.

QUICK HITS

Perfect on the PK: The Preds went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Hit Parade: Dante Fabbro led all skaters with eight hits.
Block Party: In his second career NHL game, Jake Livingstone tied Fabbro with a team-high four blocked shots.

THEY SAID IT

McDonagh on Nashville's effort versus Winnipeg:
"Everybody was working their asses off and battling for one another. Certainly we kind of got hemmed in our zone there in the second period and didn't generate much in the o-zone. And that wore on us but at the end of the day, we were just looking for one shot, one goal there in the third period. We liked our spot and certainly would have liked to have found a way to get one there as opposed to them. And to give them credit they played a fast game, they didn't make too many mistakes. But it was a hard fought game."
Saros on the effort versus Winnipeg, remaining schedule:
"It was a tough game. They were better today and earned the points, but we'll keep on fighting... [But] it doesn't really change for us. That's kind of been our schedule here for the last few weeks. So we're just going to have to stick together and believe we're going to win."
Coach Hynes on a response in Calgary:
"This group is resilient. We always respond and it's about taking the lessons out of this game. It didn't go the way that we wanted it to go, but we're still hunting, we're still putting pressure on teams and we were putting pressure on this team. So there's certain areas that we've got to be better and we will be better and we always respond the right way. And we've got to rest up, rejuvenate tomorrow and get ready for Monday."

UP NEXT

The Preds will wrap up their two-game road trip with a visit to the Calgary Flames on Monday. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South, 102.5 The Game and El Jefe Radio.