The Predators defeated the Blues 3-1 in a Central Division matchup Thursday at Bridgestone Arena, the first time they’ve won consecutive games this season. Nashville has earned points in five games in a row (3-0-2).
A familiar face started in goal for the Blues — former Predators goaltender Carter Hutton. The 30-year-old, who played in 75 games for Nashville from 2013-16 and signed with St. Louis during the offseason, kept his former teammates off the scoreboard until the final 90 seconds of the second period, when Predators forward Calle Jarnkrok ripped a shot past Hutton’s glove to tie the score 1-1, his first of two goals Thursday. Jarnkrok nearly had a hat trick, missing wide on an empty net in the last two minutes.
At the start of the season, the Predators’ power play was their biggest asset, but it has gone cold this month. In five November games, Nashville is 0-for-17 after not scoring on five opportunities Thursday. Trailing 1-0 in the second period, the Predators had a two-man advantage for 1 minute, 17 seconds, but were too passive and failed to test Hutton.
Forward James Neal scored his fourth goal of the season, the third consecutive game in which he has scored. Neal is among the NHL’s leaders in shots on goal but had only one goal on 40 shots in his first 10 games.
After missing three games because of an upper-body injury, Predators captain Mike Fisher returned to the lineup. He centered a line with forwards Filip Forsberg and Pontus Aberg, assisting on Jarnkrok’s second goal roughly five minutes into the third period.
Nashville concludes its four-game homestand Saturday against Anaheim with a 7 PM faceoff. The Ducks handed the Predators their most lopsided loss of the season two weeks ago, defeating them 6-1 at Honda Center on Oct. 26. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning with the pregame show at 6:30.
Pete Weber’s Postgame Report
