Predators 2, Jets 1
Craig Smith scored with 2:02 remaining in the third period as host Nashville won for the fourth time in five games.
James Neal also tallied and Mike Ribeiro and Calle Jarnkrok each collected an assist as the Predators handed Winnipeg only its second regulation defeat in 11 games (7-2-2). Pekka Rinne turned aside 21 shots to improve to 6-0-0 lifetime against the Jets.
Blake Wheeler netted his third goal in two contests - a short-handed tally- for Winnipeg, which fell to 2-2-0 on its five-game road trip. Ondrej Pavelec made 27 saves to take the loss despite allowing two goals or fewer for the sixth time in seven starts.
Nashville failed on both its power-play chances in the opening 20 minutes and got a third opportunity just over six minutes into the second period, but it was the Jets who capitalized. Evander Kane set up Wheeler, who skated in and ripped a shot from the right circle over the left pad of Rinne.
The Predators appeared to draw even late in the second period, only to have a goal by Ribeiro waved off when it was ruled that Neal swiped at the puck above the crossbar. It only took eight seconds for Nashville to respond, with Ribeiro sliding a crossing pass to Neal for a one-timer from the inner edge of the top of the right circle.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Predators RW Filip Forsberg had his franchise record-tying goal-scoring streak halted at six games and his point string snapped at seven. ... Wheeler has four goals and seven points in his last five games. ... The Predators were unable to convert on four power-play chances and fell to 0-for-12 against Winnipeg and 1-for-24 at home this season.