National Hockey League
Nashville 4, Winnipeg 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Where: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Referees: Ghislain Hebert, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Lonnie Cameron, Brad Kovachik
Attendance: 15294

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- The Nashville Predators lived up to their nickname in Winnipeg Tuesday night, breaking the backs of the Jets in just 11 seconds.

Trailing 1-0 as the first period was winding down, Viktor Arvidsson found Craig Smith for a goal-mouth tap-in with just 40 seconds left. Before the PA announcer had time to announce the goal, however, Colton Sissons gave the Predators a lead they wouldn't relinquish off the ensuing face-off when he banked a shot off Ben Chiarot's skate behind Ondrej Pavelec, paving the way for Nashville's 4-2 victory.

With the win, the Predators improved to 34-21-12 and 80 points. The Jets continue their race to the bottom - and perhaps the top selection in this year's entry draft - after falling to 27-34-5 for 59 points.

The Predators effectively salted the game away when Ryan Johansen ripped a wrist shot from just outside the crease past Pavelec for his 11th of the season at 8:54 of the third.

The Jets made things interesting - ever-so-briefly - with just 6:23 remaining in the game when Jacob Trouba joined the rush from his defensive position and knocked in a goalmouth rebound from Alex Burmistrov past Pekka Rinne.

The Predators challenged the goal believing Marko Dano, recently acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks, had interfered with Rinne. The referees disagreed and the goal stood.

Less than two minutes later, Filip Forsberg hit a streaking Craig Smith, who deflected his 18th of the season past Pavelec, restoring the two-goal lead.

Drew Stafford opened the scoring for the Jets at 7:28 of the first period, stuffing in a rebound to Rinne's right. Dustin Byfulgien and Blake Wheeler assisted on Stafford's 17th of the season.

The Predators had to juggle their lines after left winger Austin Watson was kicked out of the game at 13:53 of the second period after elbowing Marko Dano in the head. He was given a match penalty.

The Jets, however, despite some glorious chances, were unable to convert.

The Predators outshot the Jets 31-23.

NOTES: The win extended Nashville's point streak to 13 games (9-0-4). ... The Predators come into Winnipeg on a high note, having defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Saturday after trailing 2-1 after two periods. ... In what's becoming a daily occurrence, another member of the Jets' farm team, the Manitoba Moose, is making his NHL debut. RW Scott Kosmachuk was called up earlier Tuesday. ... Predators LW Filip Forsberg entered Tuesday's game tied for the third for most goals in the NHL since Jan. 1 (18), trailing only Alex Ovechkin (20) and Sidney Crosby (19). ... Scratched for the Jets are RW Anthony Peluso, C Bryan Little, LW Nikolaj Ehlers and RW Joel Armia. ... The Predators scratched D Barret Jackman and C Paul Gaustad.
Top Game Performances
 
Nashville   Winnipeg
Craig Smith 2 Points Drew Stafford 1
Craig Smith 2 Goals Drew Stafford 1
Colin Wilson 2 Assists Alexander Burmistrov 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Pekka Rinne .913 Save Percentage Ondrej Pavelec .871
Pekka Rinne 21 Saves Ondrej Pavelec 27
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Nashville 31 4 0-5 4-4 16 28
Winnipeg 23 2 0-4 5-5 10 29
Upcoming Games
  • Winnipeg will play their next game on the road against Detroit. The Jets have a W/L % of .321 after a win and .474 after a loss.
  • Nashville will play their next game on the road against Calgary. The Predators have a W/L % of .424 after a win and .588 after a loss.