Predators run winning streak to 6 games with a 4-1 victory over Senators
By Jim Diamond, The Associated Press on February 27, 2024.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Roman Josi had two goals and an assist as the Nashville Predators extended their winning streak to six games with a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. Gustav Nyquist had a goal and two assists, Michael McCarron also scored and Juuse Saros made 24 saves for the Predators. Nashville returned from a road swing in which it won all five games, the first time in franchise history going 5-for-5 away from home. Drake Batherson scored and Joonas Korpisalo made 32 saves for Ottawa, which failed to record a shot on goal in the third period and lost for the second straight night after falling 6-3 at Washington on Monday. “I thought we battled hard and did a good job,” Ottawa coach Jacques Mattin said. “In the third, we just ran out of gas.” McCarron opened the scoring at 3:23 of the first period. He has points in a career-best three straight games. “We had a really good home game, especially coming back from a long road trip,” McCarron said. “Sometimes these can be sleepy and I think we answered the bell pretty well tonight.” Josi followed at 5:44, scoring on a one-timer from just inside the blue line on a power play. “We’re playing really well as a team,” Josi said. “Our power play has been getting better. Obviously, we just want to keep this momentum and keep playing that same way.” Batherson cut the Nashville lead to a goal with 1:02 remaining in the first, scoring on a shot from the high slot, also on a power play. Josi struck again with 1:29 remaining in the second. He skated in on the left side and flipped a quick wrist shot high to the far side past Korpisalo. The two-goal effort matched a career high for Nashville’s captain. Senators forward Josh Norris left the game eight minutes into the second period after colliding with Nashville’s Cole Smith behind the Ottawa net and then hitting the back bar of the goal frame. He did not return due to an upper-body injury. “What happened with Josh, I’m hoping and praying it’s not too bad,” Senators captain Brady Tkachuk said. “Unfortunately, it’s part of the game. He’s such a big part of our team. It definitely deflated us a bit.” Nyquist scored with 6:48 remaining in the third. “I loved the way we closed the game out,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “I thought we did a great job on the puck. We didn’t give them a whole lot of room.” UP NEXT Senators: Host Arizona on Friday. Predators: Host Minnesota on Thursday. ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL 20-19
