Forsberg scores twice, Predators defeat Canucks

NASHVILLE -- Filip Forsberg scored two goals for the Nashville Predators in a 4-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

Juuse Saros made 30 saves in his 100th NHL win for the Predators (28-14-4), who are 4-0-1 in their past five games. He is 100-58-20 in 193 games in seven NHL seasons.
"Well, 100 wins is a great benchmark for him," Predators coach John Hynes said. "He's a humble guy. He works hard. He's tremendously talented. He plays very consistent. He's very dependable. It's a great feather in his cap to get the 100 wins, and I think it's great for the organization that you have a guy like him that's your lead dog in net."
Forsberg has scored 24 goals in 33 games this season, 13 in his past 14 games.
"Every year, you get a little more mature," Forsberg said. "You learn something from every season. This year, I think that's the mindset, just to take every day as it is and just try to do the best out of it. It's been working well so far, but we have halfway left in the season."

Matthew Highmore and Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored for the Canucks (20-20-6). Thatcher Demko made 24 saves.
Vancouver, playing its fourth straight road game, allowed three goals in its previous three games.
"That was four games in six nights in four different cities," Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "That's a lot of travel. We played a pretty good team that was rested. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they were pretty fatigued, but they never quit."
Highmore gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead at 7:56 of the first period, capitalizing on a Nashville turnover in the neutral zone. He finished a 2-on-2 off Juho Lammikko's pass.
Ryan Johansen made it 1-1 at 14:22, one second after the Predators killed a penalty.
Forsberg extended his goal streak to four games redirecting Phillipe Myers' blue-line slap shot to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at 15:30.
Vancouver tied it 2-2 at 17:36 when Ekman-Larsson spun just inside the blue line and sent a high wrist shot past a screened Saros.
"I thought we came out with some good energy," Highmore said. "Obviously, they did too. I thought it was a pretty even first period. It was 2-2 after 20. I thought we did a lot of good things. I thought our start was good."

Forsberg scored on the power play at 3:12 of the second period to make it 3-2. He scored on a slapshot from the top of the face-off circle.
Tanner Jeannot extended the lead to 4-2 at 1:28 of the third period, knocking in the rebound of Mattias Ekholm's shot. Jeannot's 14 goals lead NHL rookies.
The game was the only one in a 13-day stretch for the Predators, who had been off the previous four days. Their next game is after the All-Star break, Feb. 9 at Dallas.
"You have to really rely on your leadership and the players to make sure they're ready to play," Hynes said. "I was just really proud of them. I thought we had a really great start to the game. I thought we had a great finish in the third period. I really liked the commitment level of our group, just focused, ready and willing to play the right way."
NOTES: Vancouver forward Tanner Pearson returned after missing four games in NHL COVID-19 protocol. He had an assist on Ekman-Larsson's goal and six shots on goal in 16:06 of ice time. Forward Vasily Podkolzin returned after he was a healthy scratch in the win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. He had two shots on goal in 12:15. … Nashville defenseman Dante Fabbro returned after missing six games with an upper-body injury. He had three shots on goal in 19:22; forward Eeli Tolvanen had four hits in 10:34 after missing three games in COVID-19 protocol. … Predators defenseman Roman Josi has scored 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in his past 15 games against the Canucks.