Filip Forsberg scored a goal and added an assist as the Nashville Predators pulled away to beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.
Philip Broberg gave the Blues an early lead at 6:21 of the first period, scoring his first goal of the season on a wrist shot off a pass from Mason McTavish. Nashville answered at 8:40 when Jonathan Marchessault converted an unassisted wrist shot on a power-play penalty shot to tie the score. Forsberg put Nashville ahead 2-1 at 12:22 of the opening frame with his first goal of the season, scoring on a wrap-around with assists from Steven Stamkos and Adam Wilsby.
Adam Edstrom increased the Predators lead to 3-1 at 7:05 of the second period by tipping in a pass from Roman Josi for a shorthanded goal. St. Louis responded on the same power play just 31 seconds later, as Jimmy Snuggerud scored on a wrist shot with assists from Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway to make it 3-2. Nashville pulled away in the third period, getting a backhand goal from Ryan O'Reilly at 2:50 and a deflected tally from Jack Drury at 8:14, his first goal of the season.
Juuse Saros earned the win for Nashville, stopping 24 of 26 shots as the Predators blocked 20 attempts in front of him. Jordan Binnington took the loss for St. Louis after allowing five goals on 24 shots. The Blues converted one of five opportunities on the power play while also surrendering a shorthanded goal, and Nashville scored on its lone power-play chance.
The victory moved Nashville to a 3-2-3 record on the season and gave them the win in the first meeting between the teams this year. St. Louis dropped to 3-4-1 and remained winless in two consecutive games.
St. Louis returns to action on Tuesday, October 20, when the Blues host the Winnipeg Jets. Nashville travels next to visit the Boston Bruins on Thursday, October 22.
