Predators rally to end skid, stop Panthers home streak

Tanner Jeannot scored two third-period goals for the Nashville Predators, including their first shorthanded goal of the season, to end the Florida Panthers' nine-game home winning streak, 6-4 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on Tuesday.

David Rittich made 44 saves in his first start since Jan. 18 for the Predators (29-18-4), who ended a four-game losing streak.
"For sure it's great to get back on winning track and stop that losing streak," Rittich said. "That's huge. ... The goal support the guys gave me and the blocked shots (18) were huge. So I'm thinking this was a lot of good teamwork and a great effort."
The Predators trailed 1-0, 3-1 and 4-3.
"When you talk about toughness in general, it's mental, it's physical, and it's emotional," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "We didn't get too low and we stayed focused on doing the right things. That becomes the core fabric of your group, being tough and hard to play against."

Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves for the Panthers (35-11-5), who had not lost at home since Dec. 16. Jonathan Huberdeau had two assists for Florida, which is 23-4-0 at home this season.
"I liked a lot of things," Panthers coach Andrew Brunette said. "I thought we attacked. I thought we had energy. I thought we played the way we wanted to play. We just got a little loose in certain areas. … It's as simple that."
After having a tying goal disallowed for goalie interference after a challenge, the Predators made it 4-4 at 10:41 of the third period when Jeannot scored shorthanded. It was his 17th goal of the season, most among NHL rookies.
"Tanner's a competitor," Hynes said. "You can just see the fire in his eyes when you lose a few games. He's an impact player for us. He's a guy that plays very consistently and plays the game the right way. He's a hungry guy, an extreme competitor, has a lot of talent, and it's nice to see him be rewarded."
Mikael Granlund gave the Predators a 5-4 lead at 14:29, and Jeannot's empty-net goal made it 6-4 at 18:28.
Sam Bennett gave the Panthers a 4-3 lead at 8:11 of the third, pushing a loose puck under Rittich's blocker. Bennett was in the penalty box for cross-checking when Granlund scored.
"We do want to win them all and we feel like we can," Bennett said. "There's a lot of learning curves there. I take a lot of responsibility. I can't take a penalty there in the last four minutes. That's a crucial play that I can't do. I'm going to take responsibility for that one."
Reinhart gave Florida a 1-0 lead at 6:45 of the first period on the power play. He skated from behind the goal line and flipped a shot past Rittich's far side.

Filip Forsberg tied it 1-1 at 12:06. His initial shot was saved by Bobrovsky, but Matt Duchene kept the puck alive and Forsberg scored on a rebound in the crease.
Radko Gudas gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead at 1:54 of the second period with his first goal of the season, a wrist shot from the blue line through a screen. The defenseman had not scored since April 19, 2021, against the Columbus Blue Jackets (56 games).
Aaron Ekblad made it 3-1 at 9:42 of the second period, scoring for the fourth straight game, on a wrist shot following a Nashville turnover.
Roman Josi got the Predators within 3-2 at 10:44, and Yakov Trenin tied it 3-3 at 11:21, taking a long pass from defenseman Dante Fabbro and flipping a backhand over Bobrovsky's shoulder.
NOTES: Predators center Colton Sissons won 16 of 16 face-offs. He is the fourth player to win that many without a loss since 1996-97 (Patrice Bergeron, 17 of 17 on April 4, 2017, for Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning; Curtis Brown, 19 of 19 on Oct. 4, 2001, for Buffalo Sabres vs. Atlanta Thrashers; Dave Scatchard, 19 of 19 on Jan. 21, 2000, for New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils). ... Jeannot is tied for the rookie goals lead with Michael Bunting of the Toronto Maple Leafs. … Fabbro blocked six shots. ... Josi extended his point streak to six games (10 points; one goal, nine assists). ... Reinhart extended his point streak to seven games (12 points; six goals, six assists). ... Huberdeau extended his point streak to eight games (14 points; one goal, 13 assists). He leads the NHL with 72 points (17 goals, 55 assists). ... Florida activated forward Maxim Mamin off injured reserve and he played 12:27 with one shot on goal and one blocked shot after missing seven games.