PREDATORS 3, JETS 1: Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for his 40th win as Nashville delivered a devastating blow to Winnipeg’s postseason aspirations.

The Predators remained one point behind fourth-place Detroit in the Western Conference standings. The Red Wings recorded a 5-4 win over Carolina on Saturday.

The Jets dropped six points behind Buffalo for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Sabres posted a 3-1 win over Minnesota on Saturday.

After a scoreless opening period, the Predators thrilled an already electric crowd inside the Bridgestone Arena with a pair of goals in the middle frame.

Matt Halischuk opened the scoring 2:56 into the period when he took a pass from Alexander Radulov and blistered a shot past goalie Ondrej Pavelec. Radulov entered the Jets' zone against double coverage before making the beautiful pass to his linemate.

Rookie Gabriel Bourque made it 2-0 at 10:01 when he directed a rebound off a Nick Spaling point shot between Pavelec’s pads.

Nashville captain Shea Weber scored his 15th goal into an empty net to secure the win.

Tim Stapleton ruined Rinne’s bid for his fifth shutout of the season at 12:53 of the third period with his 11th goal.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Radulov made his first home appearance since the 2007-08 season. … Nashville C Paul Gaustad returned from an upper body injury after missing the last four games. … Nashville improved to 20-4-2 in its last 26 home games.