Nashville (18-8-1) leads the Western Conference with 37 points but lost its two previous games, each at home, including 3-0 to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.
"We didn't play well last game," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "So as always, we talk about things the next day. We address it. And to me, tonight is 100 percent on the players for their response, because you can talk about things and you can say things to get things moving back in the direction that you want them to move in, but that doesn't do it. That doesn't move the needle. And so for me, the leadership group and the players, it's all on them. That was a much, much better game."
WATCH: [All Blackhawks vs. Predators highlights]
The Blackhawks (9-13-5) have lost three straight and are 3-11-3 in their past 17 games.
"It wasn't a good start tonight," said Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith, who received a game misconduct, a 10-minute misconduct, an instigator minor and a fighting major at 7:18 of the first period with Nashville leading 3-0. "At the end of the day, you can talk and talk, but it's about actions, and we all have to be better. That's the bottom line."
Tolvanen was recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League earlier in the day, along with forward Anthony Richard, who made his NHL debut.
"I was more comfortable," said Tolvanen, who played his fourth NHL game. "Like the game system and all the guys here and the coaching staff I kind of know. I've been playing two months in the AHL. I think it's helped me a lot [with] my defensive game and just overall being more comfortable out there."
Kevin Fiala gave the Predators a 1-0 lead 2:11 into the game when he scored on the rebound of a Matt Irwin shot from the point.
"We were attacking from the first second," Fiala said. "It's awesome to see. Everybody was ready to go."
