McDavid, Oilers defeat Predators in shootout for third straight win

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid scored to help the Edmonton Oilers win their third straight game, 3-2 in a shootout against the Nashville Predators at Rogers Place on Thursday.

McDavid scored in the first period and had the winner in the shootout for Edmonton (21-16-2), which had lost seven in a row before its winning streak. Mikko Koskinen made 28 saves and stopped all three shooters in the tiebreaker.
"I think we're starting to see some games that we saw at the beginning of the year and guys are starting to get their confidence back and we're getting good goaltending," McDavid said. "Mikko has been a rock back there and when he plays like that it makes our job easier and we have to make his job easier too and be better in front of him."

Matt Duchene scored, Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist, and Juuse Saros made 44 saves for Nashville (27-14-4), which had won three in a row.
"I thought we played pretty well, we didn't give up too much," Duchene said. "I would love to see the chances; I feel like we had a few more than they did, their goalie played outstanding, he made some big saves.
"Juuse did as well for us, both goalies were good in the shootout. And when you get to the shootout, it's a bit of a coin flip, it's a bit of a skills comp, and our shooters, including myself, weren't able to find one. That's the way it goes."
Koskinen stopped Forsberg, Duchene and Roman Josi in the shootout. Saros made saves on Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
"The last couple games we have played really well and I am happy to see that," Koskinen said. "I think we have learned our lessons. We can't look too far ahead, it is cliche, but you have to take it one game at a time, otherwise our focus is not there. We are building our game and doing a lot of good things right now. There is still a lot of room to improve and if we do that it is going to be a really strong team at the end of the year."
Forsberg gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 5:07 of the first period. He scored on a shot through traffic from the right face-off circle.
McDavid tied it 1-1 at 19:28, getting past Predators defenseman Matt Benning on a 1-on-1 rush and shooting it past Saros.
"I think they shoot quite a bit, they're a high-shot generation team, so we did spend some time in our zone for sure," Predators coach John Hynes said. "I think they're the No. 1 team in offensive zone time in the League, but I thought we did a pretty good job. We were in there more than we wanted to be, but I thought we did a pretty good job of making sure we took care of some Grade-A areas and Juuse made some big saves, but I thought when we were called upon to defend in those areas, I thought we did a pretty good job."

Duchene made it 2-1 at 8:32 of the second period, keeping the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and shooting it over the shoulder of Koskinen.
Evan Bouchard tied it 2-2 at 14:48 when his shot from the point bounced in off the skate of Predators center Ryan Johansen in front.
"There's lots of work in our game and there is lot of try in our game, which we really like, but there's a couple of areas we can clean up a little bit," Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. "But for the most part, we're solid, we have everybody working hard and [Koskinen] was really strong. When they go 0-for-3 in the shootout, that gives you a chance to win."
NOTES: The Oilers announced they agreed to terms with forward Evander Kane on a one-year contract; he is expected to join the team Friday. Earlier in the day, the NHL announced it concluded its investigation into the circumstances of Kane's cross-border travel during the holiday period and determined not to pursue any additional discipline against him.