The Nashville Predators trailed the Golden Knights in Vegas 2-1 after the first period, but as has happened across the NHL this young season, the leaders took it easy the rest of the way.
The Predators reeled off four unanswered goals in a 5-2 over the Knights.
Pekka Rinne made 33 saves for the win and five different skaters had strikes for the Preds.
Filip Forsberg posted a goal to tie a Nashville streak record for points at six games to start a season.
“Filip’s been one of the constants for us for a few years,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “He’s dynamic offensively, he’s got a terrific release, a terrific shot, and the line (with Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund) has been really good.”
Mark Stone and Reilly Smith scored for the Knights to help them to the 2-1 first period lead.
“I don’t think we were playing bad, but it seemed like every mistake we made was a mental error and it ended up in the back of our net,” Smith said. “It makes a big difference when they pot three goals and we give up a lead like that.”
Kyle Turris and Nick Bonino had two points on the night each with a goal apiece.
“Especially in the second period and third period, I thought we worked a lot harder. We competed a lot harder on the puck,” Predators head coach Peter Laviolette said. “I thought the start was OK, the first five to seven, but the next 13 minutes we gave up too much. We’re learning and figuring it out and realizing what it takes to win on the road.”
Colton Sissons got the teams even at 2-2 when scored just 44 seconds into the middle frame.
“It was a bad second period for us,” Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault said. “We turned the puck over, they were on top of us. Unfortunate also how we came out for the third period too.”
Calle Jarnkrok scored what proved to be the winner in the second period for Nashville.
“We know that it’s hard to come in here and take two points against this Vegas team,” Jarnkrok said. “I think we did a great job tonight, and we got the two points.”
[WATCH: All Predators vs. Golden Knights highlights]
Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves in the loss.
“That second period was tough,” Knights head coach Gerard Gallant said after the loss. “We give them three goals, and that’s what happens when you get behind the eight ball, you press a little bit. We made some mistakes tonight that are uncharacteristic of our hockey team.”
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