NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Juuse Saros showcased his skills with 23 saves as the Nashville Predators brought the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets’ remarkable 11-game winning streak to a halt, defeating them 2-1 on Thursday night. This victory was crucial for Nashville, breaking their own two-game losing streak.
Filip Forsberg and Tommy Novak were the key contributors on the scoreboard for Nashville. In contrast, Neal Pionk managed to find the net for the Jets, as backup goalie Eric Comrie put forth a strong effort with 28 saves just a day after Winnipeg’s 4-1 win over Ottawa.
Forsberg set the tone early by scoring at 4:26 into the game. Ryan O’Reilly’s successful faceoff at the left dot allowed Gustav Nyquist to deliver a precise touch pass to Forsberg. Positioned at the top of the circle, Forsberg expertly unleashed a wrist shot that slipped through cluttered traffic past Comrie.
The Jets responded with Pionk equalizing the score with 8:55 left in the first period, firing a slap shot from the right point that skillfully evaded Saros and found its way to the far corner of the net. However, Nashville quickly regained their edge with 4:31 remaining in the first period, thanks to Novak’s power-play success.
Analyzing the match, it was evident that the back-to-back scheduling with games in Ottawa and then Nashville posed a significant challenge for the Jets. Despite this, Winnipeg’s resilience was noteworthy even as their winning streak ended.
Nashville, which has faced its share of challenges this season, was able to split their season series with Winnipeg, with each team securing victory on home ice.
A pivotal moment in the match came just before the end of the first period. Saros managed to thwart Kyle Connor’s attempt on a partial breakaway, maintaining Nashville’s lead of 2-1 heading into the intermission.
Notably, Winnipeg struggled with their power-play opportunities, going 0 for 4, which included a significant two-man advantage for nearly two minutes late in the second period.
Looking ahead, both teams will hit the ice again on Saturday. The Jets are set to host the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Nashville Predators will face the New York Islanders on the road.
