Craig Smith’s power-play goal with 6:29 remaining in the third period propelled the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
Ryan Johansen also scored for Nashville, which snapped a two-game skid.
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Craig Smith’s power-play goal with 6:29 remaining in the third period propelled the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
With Sabres captain Jack Eichel in the penalty box serving a tripping penalty, Smith redirected Kyle Turris’ shot off the left post, then off of the left leg of Buffalo goaltender Linus Ullmark and into the net for Smith's 11th goal of the season.
Rinne made 30 saves in earning his 16th win of the season.
Ullmark finished with 35 saves.
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Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo scores past Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, and defenseman Yannick Weber (7), of Switzerland, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)
Sam Reinhart had the lone goal for Buffalo, which had won its previous three games.
The Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)
With Sabres captain Jack Eichel in the penalty box serving a tripping penalty, Smith redirected Kyle Turris’ shot off the left post, then off of the left leg of Buffalo goaltender Linus Ullmark and into the net for Smith's 11th goal of the season.
Nashville entered Saturday with the league’s 25th-ranked power play, and had failed to score on the man advantage in their last four games.
Reinhart scored the game’s first goal with 1:02 remaining in the opening period. Rasmus Dahlin had the puck on the right side near the faceoff dot. There, he sent a cross-ice pass to Reinhart, who was on the goal line to the left of the Nashville net and he lifted a wrist shot over Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (35), of Sweden, blocks a shot by Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)
Rinne made 30 saves in earning his 16th win of the season.
In his last five games played in Nashville, Reinhart has seven goals and one assist.
Johansen evened the game at 1 at 6:05 of the second. Roman Josi’s shot from the slot missed wide to the left and bounced off the end boards right to Johansen on the left side, where his backhand swat at the rebound bounced off Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian and into the net.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (35), of Sweden, stops a shot against the Nashville Predators as defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55), of Finland, helps to defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)
Ullmark finished with 35 saves.
Johansen had not recorded a point in Nashville’s previous six games.
NOTES: Eichel’s nine-game point streak was snapped. ... Dahlin has seven points in his last seven games. ... Predators LW Austin Watson returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for four consecutive games. ... Rinne is 7-2-0 in his career against Buffalo.
Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) moves the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55), of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)
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Sabres: Host Ottawa on Jan. 28.
Predators: Host Toronto on Jan. 27.
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Buffalo Sabres center Sam Reinhart (23) celebrates with Jack Eichel (9) after Reinhart scored against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)
Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo scores past Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, and defenseman Yannick Weber (7), of Switzerland, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)