McDavid point streak hits 20, Oilers fall to Predators in OT

NASHVILLE -- Connor McDavid had two assists in extending his point streak to 20 games for the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

The Oilers captain has 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) during his career-best streak, the longest in the NHL this season.

Roman Josi scored his second goal of the game at 3:43 of overtime to win it for the Predators. Edmonton goalie Tristan Jarry raced out of his crease and barely beat Josi to the puck, but Brady Skjei sent the deflection back to Josi, who scored from a sharp angle below the right circle before Jarry could get back in the net.

“We worked really hard,” Josi said. “A month and a half, two months ago, we were really far behind and way out of a playoff spot, and we kind of rallied and came back. Now we’re close to a playoff spot, which is huge. It shows the hard work we’ve put in. We’ve just got to keep it going though. We’re in a fight, and it’s going to be hard until the end.”

Juuse Saros made 28 saves for the Predators (22-20-4), who have won three of four.

Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists, and Zach Hyman scored twice for the Oilers (23-16-8), who are 3-0-2 in their past five. Jarry made 23 saves in his return after missing 11 games because of a lower-body injury.

“I think we got off to a slow start and looked like we were a step behind,” Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said. “They looked a lot fresher and a little faster than us tonight. We just wanted to be easy. I know there was a lot of turnovers, which allowed them to get the puck and counter on us where we had to defend.”

Steven Stamkos gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 2:45 of the first period on a wrist shot from the left circle. It was his 602nd career goal, passing Jari Kurri for 21st in NHL history.

Hyman scored for the Oilers to tie it 1-1 at 17:06 on the power play, jamming in a rebound in the crease on a pass from McDavid that banked off Draisaitl.

“It was OK,” Hyman said. “Not great. I think we can be better off back-to-backs making simple plays. I thought we were too complicated. It caused too many unforced errors. I thought [Jarry] played great, and special teams were good.”

Erik Haula gave the Predators a 2-1 lead at 3:03 of the second period, backhanding in a rebound of a shot from Matthew Wood.

“It’s a really good hockey team over there, and we played a great 60-whatever minutes and gave ourselves a chance,” Haula said. “We need everybody every night to be able to push the envelope, and we had that. That’s a great result for us.”

Draisaitl scored to tie it at 2-2 at 7:20 on a one-timer from the right circle on a pass from Kasperi Kapanen.

Hyman gave the Oilers a 3-2 lead on the power play at 13:12 on a loose puck in the crease after a shot by Draisaitl.

Josi tied it 3-3 at 13:50 on a slap shot from the point.

“The players they have, they’re going to get their chances,” Josi said. “They’re going to have some zone time. You’re going to have to defend. But I felt like most stretches, we played them pretty well. McDavid had two points, I think? I guess that’s a good night if you keep him to two.”

In addition to Jarry, the Oilers also got Jake Walman back after the defenseman missed 23 games because of an undisclosed injury.

“You want to stack points,” Hyman said. “Even when you lose games, it’s better to gain a point. But I think we’re coming along. I think we have another level to get to. We’ve got some guys returning from injury, obviously, which is a great sign. I thought it was a good first game for them. I thought [Jarry] was outstanding earning us the extra point. I thought [Walman] was good in his return, so good to get those guys back.”

NOTES: McDavid took over the NHL scoring lead with 82 points (30 goals, 52 assists), one ahead of Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. … Josi's 37th game-winning goal tied Kevin Hatcher for 11th place on the NHL’s all-time list among defensemen. … Josi tied Brian Leetch (37 with the New York Rangers) for the third most game-winning goals by a defenseman with a single franchise. Ray Bourque (60, Boston Bruins) and Denis Potvin (44, New York Islanders) top the list. … Josi has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past two games.