Predators rally, defeat Coyotes in shootout

NASHVILLE -- Ryan Ellis scored and had an assist for the Nashville Predators in a 3-2 shootout win against the Arizona Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

Kyle Turris and Craig Smith scored in the shootout for the Predators (27-11-6), who have won four in a row. They are 15-4-2 at home and moved into first place in the Central Division.
WATCH: [All Coyotes vs. Predators highlights]
"I think when we simplify and throw pucks at the net, the hockey gods are going to reward us eventually with a bounce here and there," Ellis said. "I think we had 39 shots or something like that, which is a good sign for our team, especially at home."

The Coyotes (10-28-9) have lost five in a row.
"I thought the first five, 10 minutes we were fine," Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. "I thought we did all right, and then they made a push and I was a little nervous with our reaction. And then in the second and the third, I liked the way that we reacted."
Ellis tied the game 2-2 with 2:36 left in the third period. Roman Josi passed to Ellis at the point, and his one-timer beat Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta for his second goal of the season.
"I felt me and [Josi] had some good [offensive] zone time," Ellis said. "We were moving the puck a lot. Whether we weren't getting our shots through or weren't getting a bounce here or there, I thought the whole game we created a lot of stuff up ice. Obviously, it was a big time in the game, so it was nice to get something there."
Brendan Perlini gave the Coyotes a 2-1 lead at 13:40 of the third period on a backhand from the right face-off circle. He got around Ellis and beat Pekka Rinne on the blocker side for his 11th goal.
Scott Hartnell gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 18:17 of the second period on a breakaway. Ellis gave Hartnell a lead pass into the offensive zone, and he beat Raanta for his seventh goal.

"[Hartnell] made a great read," Ellis said. "I think he caught his [defenseman] I guess with his feet going the wrong way or whatever it was, used his speed to make a play and stay onside. It was a terrific play by [Hartnell]."
Oliver Ekman-Larsson tied it 1-1 with 12 seconds remaining in the period. He got to a rebound around the crease and scored his eighth goal.
Josi finished with two assists and led the Predators with 24:34 of ice time.
"I thought we had a couple of good chances, especially in the first," Josi said. "In the second, we didn't play as well. We just didn't get as many chances or [offensive] zone time. The third was kind of back and forth. Good character win. We found a way, and that's all that matters."

Goal of the game

Ellis' goal at 17:24 of the third period.

Save of the game

Rinne on Christian Dvorak at 5:39 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Perlini's goal at 13:40 of the third period.

They said it

"We killed off three penalties. That's a good power play over there. They've got some shooters. That's a good hockey club. Like I said before the game, that's a Stanley Cup contender. They have a good chance to win the Stanley Cup so we did a nice job against them." -- Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet
"It means we have a lot of depth and a lot of character in here. Obviously, those are some of our top forwards. We have a lot of great players in here, the way everyone is stepping up, it seems to be someone different every night filling in where we need it. That's what championship teams do. They find a way to win. It's not always pretty." --Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis on winning without Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson

Need to know

Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun missed the game with the flu, according to Tocchet. … Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson missed his second consecutive game with an undisclosed injury. The Predators improved to 5-1-1 without forward Filip Forsberg in the lineup. Forsberg is out with an upper-body injury.

What's next

Coyotes: At the St. Louis Blues on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FS-A, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
Predators: Host the Florida Panthers on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FS-F, FS-TN, NHL.TV)