February 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight (30) blocks a shot by Nashville Predators left wing Philip Forsberg (9) in the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Ryan O’Reilly scored the game-winner late in the third period to help the Nashville Predators power past the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Thursday.
Roman Josi made a beautiful pass to O’Reilly, who beat Spencer Knight with 3 minutes, 16 seconds left in the game to secure the win for the Predators.
Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos and Matthew Wood also buried for the Predators, while Justus Annunen improved to a perfect 4-0 against the Blackhawks with a 21-save performance.
Connor Bedard was dominant in the loss while scoring for the Blackhawks, while Tyler Bertuzzi also found the back of the net.
Spencer Knight made 22 saves for Chicago.
The Predators’ penalty kill survived early back-to-back opportunities for the Blackhawks, including a double minor after Erik Haula headed for a high stick.
O’Reilly had the best chance to score the other way, circling a defender during an extended shorthanded period and finding an iron with 10 minutes, 58 seconds left.
Forsberg opened the scoring with his 25th goal of the season as he pounced on a poor clearance attempt and fired the puck past Knight to give the Predators a 1-0 lead with 6:10 left in the opening period.
Bedard sealed the contest with a huge shot just over four minutes into the second period. The young prodigy’s goal early in the second period was his career-high 24th of the season and fourth in his last five games.
Bedard broke in alone with 10:57 left in the middle frame but couldn’t squeeze a low shot between Annunen’s legs.
Annunen once again denied Bedard after taking a feed from Andre Burakovsky, but the netminder came over quickly and swallowed the shot with 7:04 left in the second.
Bertuzzi gave the Blackhawks the lead just over three minutes into the third period, blocking a point shot and then sending the puck past Annunen for a power play marker.
Nashville wasted little time finding the equalizer as Matthew Wood buried his own power play score with 12:48 left in the third.
Stamkos put the nail in the coffin with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
–Field level media
