Preds edge Wild, 2-1

In Nashville, the Predators picked up a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

The Predators grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period, and held on for the win.

Nashville improved to 7-8-1, and have won four of six.

“It’s a hard league to win in,” Nashville’s Ryan Johansen said. “We’ve been going through a bit. It’s all about winning. Had a good start [to the game, but] there are things to do better, things to build off also. But that’s a big two points.”

Juuse Saros made 32 saves in his second straight 2-1 win.

“He’s the man,” Johansen said. “He’s got world-class talent. He never second-guesses his game. It’s all his work and leadership, his skill, that he brings every day. Sometimes pucks don’t bounce the way they normally do, but there’s never a doubt when he’s in the net.”

Nino Niederreiter and Matt Duchene scored for the Preds in the fist period for the 2-0 lead.

“I thought we were good,” Duchene said. “We’re a line that plays fast, hard on the forecheck. We’re three pretty heavy guys in the corner and on the forecheck, guys that can skate over pucks and physically dominate, so I think we did a good job of that.”

The Wild got one goal back when Frederick Gaudreau  scored with 32 seconds gone in the third period.

“We’re getting lots of pucks to the net,” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said. “We got lots of opportunities. We’re not scoring, obviously, but we’re doing the right things to score. We just haven’t found a way to put two, three, four together, but again, our power play has to generate and get us going in some areas.”

The Wild dropped to 7-7-2.

“I thought we were good,” Duchene said. “We’re a line that plays fast, hard on the forecheck. We’re three pretty heavy guys in the corner and on the forecheck, guys that can skate over pucks and physically dominate, so I think we did a good job of that.”

Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves in the Wild loss.

“I think it is a little bit of frustration,” Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno said. “Those are power plays we’ve got to capitalize on those. Those are game-changers. Those win you games or make it close. There was a lot of movement out there and some good looks, but we need to cash in, especially when you get a four-minute power play. You’ve got to generate something more. If you don’t get a goal, you’ve got to try to get momentum.”