Predators Stars Josi, Saros Too Much For Kraken, 4-1 At CPA

In tight, hard-hitting playoff stretch games, the difference can be an elite talent taking over.

The Nashville Predators called on such a player to pull away late in a no-quarters-given contest against the Seattle Kraken Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena.

Norris Trophy contender Roman Josi scored in the 3rd period to break a 1-1 tie, then scored again, as the Predators went on to down the Kraken 4-1.

Nashville continues a remarkable late season run, 12-0-2 in their last 14 games.

Seattle has lost all four games on its current homestand, with only a Monday hosting of Buffalo remaining.

1st Period

It's "Mascot Madness" night at the good 'ol hockey game, with Buoy joined by many of his counterparts.

Local mascots Mariner Moose, Seahawks Boom and U. of Washington Husky are joined by visiting NHL mascots Gnash (Nashville), Bailey (L.A. Kings), and Stormy (Carolina). Fuego, mascot of the Kraken's AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds also flew north for the game.

That's why they call it Smashville: Predators defenseman Luke Schenn decks Jared McCann as goalie Juuse Saros covers the puck.

Scoring chances each way: Kraken d-man Jamie Oleksiak rings the left post; on the counter-attack, goalie Philipp Grubauer saves Tyson Barrie's laser.

While shorthanded, McCann fishes the puck out from a pair of Predators and fires a low wrist shot right on goal.

Like he's done a thousand times in his career, Seattle defenseman Justin Schultz drops to one knee to block a centering pass. Only this time, Tommy Novak's pass banks off Schultz, taking a right turn past a surprised Grubauer and into the net.

1-0 Nashville at 15:36.

The Kraken make it back-to-back games with self-inflicted goals against to open the scoring. Thursday against Washington it was goalie Joey Daccord's failed clearing attempt.

Nashville outshoots Seattle 10-5 in the period, and leads 1-0.

2nd Period

Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, an original Kraken, has made his presence felt - literally.

Lauzon's three 1st period hits added to his league-leading total of 325 and counting. That's already a Nashville team record.

“It was a good experience for me, being a part of that expansion,” Lauzon said to NHL.com.

“It was a cool experience, a great organization that treated me really well. And I liked my time here, but obviously, I was super excited to get traded to Nashville.”

Two things didn't happen to Seattle's Brandon Tanev within a matter of seconds. Tanev doesn't get a shorthanded goal or assist, perhaps overpassing on a 2-on-1 with Yanni Gourde which doesn't result in a shot.

At the other end, Tanev crushes Jason Zucker into the side boards. Tanev turns to the official with palms up, ready to plead his case against a boarding call. Except the officials deem the play okee-dokey.

On their own power play, Andre Burakovsky feeds Oliver Bjorkstrand for a sizzler. Saros makes a fine save, one of just six he's had to handle as we near the game's midpoint.

Zucker blocks a Jamie Oleskiak blueline blast. We mention it only because without the protective netting, the deflection would have reached the upper deck end zone seats.

Whatever the Kraken problems down the stretch, Grubauer hasn't been one of them. He snags a laser from Norris Trophy contender Roman Josi. Halfway through the game, Grubauer has made 14 saves with immaculate positioning - except on his own defensemen.

In Kraken-related goal news, prospect Jagger Firkus scored his 300th point in junior hockey tonight.

Back here in the NHL, Tanev skates past Lauzon, who's forced into a holding penalty in the final 31 seconds of the period. He also Smashville's Tanev into the glass.

The Kraken will have 1:29 of fresh ice to try to tie the game in the 3rd period. Seattle came on late in the middle 20, only outshot 8-7. Shots after two period are 18-12 Predators.

3rd Period

For the third time in their last four home games, Seattle has failed to score in either the first or second period.

On the power play, an open McCann slams his stick on the ice. Obliged with the puck, he fires wide, then into Saros with a second attempt.

Just like Thursday vs. Washington, the Kraken tie the game with an early 3rd PP goal from the right circle. Tonight, it's a precision snipe from Burakovsky, just inside the elbow where the crossbar meets the right post.

A strong bounce-back shift by Nashville earns them a power play of their own when Gourde is called for tripping at 3:50. Nine seconds later, the Preds take their lead back, Josi from close range.

Tye Kartye levels Anthony Beauvillier as the crowd roars.

Nashville scores again and the crowd groans. Josi connects for the second time in five minutes, his 17th of the season at 9:03 to bump the Predators' lead to 3-1.

Nashville's Filip Forsberg, into an empty net, seals the 4-1 final with 1:20 remaining. The Preds outshot Seattle 30-24.