Golden Knights knock off Predators for sixth straight win

Reilly Smith broke a third-period deadlock and the Vegas Golden Knights ran their winning streak to six games with a 3-1 road victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

Jack Eichel and Brett Howden also scored for the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights (45-20-8, 98 points), who have only two regulation-time defeats in 15 games (11-2-2).

Goaltender Adin Hill made 23 saves in a solid goaltending battle that capped his team's perfect three-game road trip.

Ryan O'Reilly replied for the Predators (27-38-8, 62 points), who have only two wins in nine outings.

Goalie Justus Annunen stopped 26 shots for Nashville, which has been eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention.

Smith broke a 1-1 deadlock on the power play with his first goal since being acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. The initial shot was stopped, but the puck bounded up in the air to Smith at the side of the net for the easy tap-in. It was his first goal in 23 games.

The hosts pressed for the equalizer and generated a few chances -- the biggest Justin Barron's breakaway -- but could not solve Hill before Howden scored into an empty net with 44 seconds remaining.

Howden, who turned 27 on Saturday, has goals in three consecutive games.

After a low-event, goalless opening frame, the clubs traded second-period scores.

O'Reilly's power-play goal opened the scoring at 5:53. After winning the offensive-zone face-off, O'Reilly went to the front of the net and deflected the point shot for his first goal in 12 games.

Eichel replied at 8:26 of the period, pouncing on a rebound chance to tally and run his point streak to six games. He has six goals and six assists in that span.

Predators forward Colton Sissons left during the first period, unable to put weight on his left leg after falling awkwardly. He reportedly was seen leaving the building on crutches.

--Field Level Media