Predators send Oilers to seventh loss in eight games

NASHVILLE --The Nashville Predators extended their winning streak against the Edmonton Oilers to 11 games with a 2-1 win at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.
The Predators (25-11-6) have won two consecutive games and are 3-1-1 in their past five. Edmonton has not beaten Nashville since March 18, 2014.

"It's an impressive record," Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said. "There's something about some teams that you just seem to find success. I guess the Oilers are one of those teams, but it's not because they're not a good team. I think they showed again tonight they have a lot of talent. It's a fun team to play against. There's obviously a few individuals who can really skate and really bring the pace up in the game."
WATCH: [All Oilers vs. Predators highlights]
Connor McDavid scored, and Cam Talbot made 22 saves for the Oilers (18-23-3), who have lost three in a row and seven of eight (1-6-1).
"It's crazy," McDavid said. "It's just the bounces we've been getting. It's just the way it goes sometimes. I think everyone goes through a stretch like this so it's frustrating, but we'll find a way out of it."
Craig Smith and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Predators, and Rinne made 25 saves to improve to 19-6-1 against the Oilers in his NHL career.
Mark Letestu appeared to tie the game 2-2 at 14:56 of the third period but it was successfully challenged by the Predators for offside and the call on the ice was overturned.

Smith gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 8:26 of the first period on the power play. P.K. Subban took the original shot from the point that bounced off Arvidsson, and Smith scored on the rebound for his 15th goal.
"I thought we came out and had a good start," Smith said. "It's what we were looking for. Just tried to get some points on the board. I think kudos to our video group getting that one at the end there. That was really nice. [Rinne] stood on his head. It was great. I thought guys were going, especially at the start of the third. I thought we managed it well and got some points."
Arvidsson made it 2-0 at 15:31. Roman Josi took the original shot that went off Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson, and Arvidsson scored on the rebound for his 13th goal.
"They're a good team," Arvidsson said. "They create a lot of offense with their speed and their skill, and I think we battled hard in our [defensive] zone and tried our best to keep them off. I think we played a smart game."
McDavid brought the Oilers within 2-1 45 seconds into the second period. He got around Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm and beat Rinne through the five-hole for his 15th goal.

Goal of the game

Arvidsson's goal at 15:31 of the first period to give the Predators a 2-0 lead.

Save of the game

Rinne's save on McDavid at 17:46 of the first period to keep the game 2-0.

Highlight of the game

McDavid's goal 45 seconds into the second period to make it 2-1.

They said it

"I thought tonight we worked hard enough for a break. I'm not sure that we were in that situation in prior games, but I was just talking to [Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli], and if we play like that we'll have our opportunities to win games. It's a step in the right direction." -- Oilers coach Todd McLellan
"I think he looks better every game. If you talk to him, he feels more confident every game. I can tell you that having him back in the lineup and in the room has settled our team down defensively. … While everybody needs to play good defense, there's no question that Ryan Ellis has an impact in how we play defense, so to get him back in that mix and playing better and confident in his game is really important to our team." -- Predators coach Peter Laviolette

Need to know

McDavid had six shots on goal and 10 shot attempts. … Rinne has won 10 consecutive games against the Oilers and has allowed two goals or fewer in nine.

What's next

Oilers:At the Arizona Coyotes on Friday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, FS-A PLUS, NHL.TV)
Predators: Host the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 16 (8 p.m. ET; SN, ATTSN-RM, FS-TN, NHL.TV)