Golden Knights blank Predators for eighth straight win

LAS VEGAS -- Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves for his second shutout in three starts, and the Vegas Golden Knights won their eighth game in a row, 3-0 against the Nashville Predators at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.
Reilly Smith and Shea Theodore scored in the second period for the Golden Knights (27-9-2), who extended their point streak to 13 games (12-0-1).
The winning streak and point streak are the longest in NHL history by a team in its inaugural season.

"The Predators] played a tight game. They definitely limit your offense and they kind of wait for your mistakes and try to bounce on it," Smith said. "I think we did a great job playing a smart game tonight."
***[WATCH: [All Predators vs. Golden Knights highlights]*
Fleury improved to 8-1-1. He is 5-0-1 since returning Dec. 12 after missing 25 games with a concussion.
"It's always a work in progress, it's never perfect," Fleury said. "When you get a shutout, it doesn't mean it was a perfect game on my end. I know there's still stuff to be worked on, but it's definitely nice to be rewarded with a shutout."
Vegas has not lost in regulation with Fleury in net since they were defeated 6-3 by the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 13, when he sustained the concussion.
Smith said the Golden Knights are flourishing because of the play of Fleury and goalie Malcolm Subban.
"[Fleury]'s been great," he said. "Everyone feels confident when he's in there. It's the same when Subban is in there. It's great to be able to be able to play with that much confidence behind you."
The Predators (23-11-5) lost for the fifth time in seven games. Pekka Rinne made 29 saves, losing for the fourth time in five starts.

It was Fleury's 46th NHL shutout, tying him with Rinne for fourth among active goaltenders behind Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings (47), Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers (63) and Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers (74).
Smith and Theodore scored 1:31 apart in the second period.
Smith gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead at 12:10 when he scored on the power play. The goal ended an 0-for-12 drought for Vegas with the man-advantage dating to Dec. 23.
Theodore made it 2-0 at 13:41 when his slap shot from the point beat Rinne, trickling in through the five-hole.
"The second period wasn't bad with the exception of those four minutes," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "Inside of those four minutes, we made too many mistakes and it cost us the game. They're a good team."
Jonathan Marchessault scored into an empty net with 2:23 remaining to make it 3-0. He has a three-game goal streak and extended his point streak to seven games (five goals, six assists).
Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis made his season debut after recovering from offseason knee surgery. He had two shots on goal, one hit and two blocked shots in 18:27.
"I think at times in the game, we played really well, and then other times not so much," Ellis said. "At the end of the day, we didn't win, and that means my game isn't good enough right now."

Goal of the game

Theodore's goal at 13:41 of the second period.

Save of the game

Fleury stopping Nick Bonino's shot with the top of his stick at 2:08 of the first period.

Highlight of the game

Fleury's poke-check on Colton Sissons at 7:50 of the second period.

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They said it

"That's a good hockey team over there. Give them credit, they played well. That's a heck of a hockey team. But I think a lot of it comes back to us as far as turning pucks over and not getting pucks deep, getting away from our game plan." -- Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis
"I just thought our defense played real strong again tonight. They cleared the front of the net, they gave [goalie Marc-Andre] Fleury a chance to see the pucks and we moved the puck real well." -- Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant

Need to know

It was the first time the Predators were shut out since their second game of the season, a 4-0 loss at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 7. … Vegas forward Erik Haula played his 300th NHL game. … The Golden Knights have not lost in regulation since Dec. 1, when they were defeated 7-4 at the Winnipeg Jets. … Vegas is 17-1-0 when scoring first and 15-2-0 when leading entering the third period.

What's next

Predators:At the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; FS-A, FS-TN, NHL.TV)
Golden Knights: At the St. Louis Blues on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ATTSN-RM, FS-MW, NHL.TV)