Saros makes 31 saves, Predators shut out Red Wings

NASHVILLE --Juuse Saros made 31 saves for the Nashville Predators in a 2-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

It was his first shutout this season and 12th in the NHL. He has allowed two goals on 120 shots (.983 save percentage) in his past three starts.
"I've been feeling good," Saros said. "Obviously, we've had a good team effort and I feel like everyone has been pulling the same rope. It's always fun to play when guys are sacrificing. We had a good penalty kill today and a lot of big blocks, so it was a good win."
Mikael Granlund and Mathieu Olivier scored for Nashville (15-17-1), which has won four of its past five games after losing six of its previous seven. Roman Josi had an assist in his return after the defenseman missed seven games with an upper-body injury.
"It was nice," Josi said. "Obviously, every time you're hurt, it's not fun. I felt good. It's good to be back. I thought the guys played really hard on the road trip and I was just trying to do my part tonight. It was a lot of fun being back."

Thomas Greiss made 32 saves for Detroit (10-19-4), which was shut out for the second straight game (3-0 by the Dallas Stars on Saturday).
"We didn't play our game the past two games, but that's going to happen in a schedule like this where we play four times a week," Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. "We have a lot of hockey here, and we're lucky we get to play these guys again Thursday to figure it out and go out there and play the way we want to play. It starts with work ethic, and I'm sure [coach Jeff Blashill] is going to talk about compete level and making it hard for their guys. We have to get back to doing what we've done all season."
Granlund gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 13:59 of the first period when he redirected Josi's one-timer from the point on the power play.
"We have guys playing the right way," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "I think if you look at a game like tonight and on the road trip and take our forward group, there's relentless forecheck pressure. There's back pressure. They're staying on [defense]. They recover above pucks. They turn pucks over. Like, there's no cheat. There's just a real strong work ethic by this group of forwards right now, and they're getting rewarded with offensive-zone time, and they're getting rewarded with opportunities to be able to score."

Olivier made it 2-0 at 10:41 of the second period. Yakov Trenin lost the puck on a wraparound attempt, but Olivier got to the loose puck and shot past Greiss' right pad.
"I think our identity is just being relentless," Olivier said. "Working not only hard but working smart. I think our reloads in the offensive zone have been outstanding, and that's been a big difference in our game. And also guys are getting to the net. Guys are shooting pucks to the net. We're playing a really simple game right now, north and south. When we have those plays, guys make those plays."
The Red Wings were 0-for-3 on the power play, including a 6-on-4 with Greiss pulled for the extra skater for the final 1:45.
"They're one of the best forechecking teams in the League," Blashill said. "Statistically, we have them as the best. I thought we did a poor job of being quick out of our zone. I thought we slowed ourselves down and didn't get pucks behind them."
NOTES:The Red Wings played 11 forwards and seven defensemen. … Josi led the Predators with six shots and played 21:17.