Rinaldo scores in 3rd, Predators beat Flames 5-3

Zac Rinaldo scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period to lead the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

Kevin Fiala and Filip Forsberg each had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Johansen and Craig Smith also scored to help Nashville win its fourth straight.

After Noah Hanifin got caught pinching, Rinaldo broke out on a 2-on-1 with Ryan Hartman and hung onto the puck the whole way before beating Flames goalie Mike Smith on his blocker side with a perfect wrist shot into the top corner at 6:31 of the third to give Nashville a 4-3 lead.

Nashville Predators' Craig Smith, left, is checked by Calgary Flames' T.J. Brodie, center, as Flames goalie Mike Smith blocks the net during NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Forsberg sealed the win with an empty-netter with 32 seconds left.

Pekka Rinne had 15 saves on 18 shots before leaving with just under 15 minutes left in the third. Juuse Saros stopped all nine shots he faced.

Elias Lindholm got his team-leading fifth goal for Calgary, and Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett also scored. Smith finished with 25 saves.

Nashville Predators' Kevin Fiala, right, of Switzerland, celebrates his goal with teammate Nick Bonino during NHL hockey game action against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Nashville took the lead four times with Calgary answering back to tie it three times.

Down 3-2 entering the third, the Flames pulled even at 2:20 when Derek Ryan wired a perfect feed to Sam Bennett, who was breaking in off the wing and went to his backhand to neatly beat Rinne.

While stretching to try and stop the puck, Fiala landed on top of Rinne in an awkward-looking collision. Rinne stayed in the game briefly, but came to the bench at 5:09 and after talking with the training staff went to the dressing room.

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, right, of Finland, kicks the puck away on a shot from Calgary Flames' Sean Monahan during an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Saros was excellent in relief, getting tested just seconds after he arrived in the crease. Off the ensuing faceoff, he had to jab out his right pad to rob Lindholm to keep the score tied.

Trailing 2-1, Calgary tied the score on the power play with 7:09 left in the second as Lindholm's shot caromed in off Tkachuk's skate.

Fiala put Nashville back ahead with 5:37 to go in the middle period as the Predators converted their first power-play opportunity of the night, courtesy of a double-minor for high-sticking on former teammate James Neal.

Nashville Predators' Zac Rinaldo (36) celebrates his goal with teammates as Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith looks away during an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Nashville struck first, scoring 51 seconds into the game. TJ Brodie lost his stick along the sideboards and in going to retrieve it, allowed a 2-on-1 in front that was converted by Johansen.

Calgary went over 16 1/2 minutes between shots in the first, with Lindholm snapping the streak, burying Johnny Gaudreau's set-up past Rinne with 1:17 left.

Smith put the Predators ahead 2-1 at 4:09 of the second.

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, left, of Finland, deflects a shot from Calgary Flames' Sam Bennett during an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

NOTES: The Flames lost at home for the first time after winning their first two games. ...Calgary's Dillon Dube (lower body) returned after missing one game. That made Austin Czarnik a healthy scratch for the first time this season. ... Flames F Sean Monahan played in his 400th NHL game.

UP NEXT

Predators: At Edmonton on Saturday night.

Nashville Predators' Miikka Salomaki, right, of Finland, pushes Calgary Flames' James Neal, left, away from goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, during an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Flames: At the New York Rangers on Sunday night.

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Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, left, of Finland, looks back as Calgary Flames' Matthew Tkachuk, right, shot the puck through the crease during an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Nashville Predators' P.K. Subban, center, checks Calgary Flames' Dillon Dube, left, into Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, during NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Nashville Predators' P.K. Subban, left, steals the puck from Calgary Flames' Dillon Dube during NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)

Nashville Predators' Ryan Johansen, center, scores against Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith during NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)