Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators shut out Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard was back where his NHL career was born, but this time he brought his Chicago Blackhawks teammates with him to face the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Among those in the audience for the Predators’ 3-0 victory was Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, offensive lineman Peter Skoronski and tight end Josh Whyle.

Bedard was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, which was held in Nashville last summer. He didn’t have a shot on goal Tuesday.

All part of the game plan, Predators coach Andrew Brunette said.

"Absolutely," Brunette said with a grin. "Easier said than done. ... We nullified a bit of the rush game."

This was Bedard's second visit since he was drafted first overall, and the first game for both teams after the three-day winter break.

Gustav Nyquist’s power-play goal with 14 minutes, 44 seconds remaining in the first gave the home team an early 1-0 lead. Another power-play goal, this one from Ryan O’Reilly at 5-on-3 in the third period after Filip Forsberg drew two consecutive penalties, gave Nashville a 2-0 lead.

Luke Evangelista’s empty-net goal during the final seconds accounted for the final score.

Juuse Saros stopped all 21 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season.

The Predators (21-16-1) are fourth in the Central and have the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The Blackhawks (11-24-2) have the second-worst record in the NHL and are last in the Central Division.

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Third period

Final: Predators 3, Blackhawks 0

Luke Evangelista's empty-net goal seals Predators victory

Luke Evangelista's empty-netter as time was winding down capped the shutout, Juuse Saros' second of the season.

Ryan O'Reilly's power-play goal gives Predators 2-0 lead

Predators 2, Blackhawks 0

After Filip Forsberg drew his second consecutive penalty to give the Predators a 5-on-3 advantage, Ryan O'Reilly put the Predators ahead 2-0 with 6:37 left in the third. It was his 15th goal of the season. Gustav Nyquist and Forsberg earned assists.

Second period

After 2: Predators 1, Blackhawks 0

Predators, Blackhawks go scoreless in second

Neither team scored but the Blackhawks will begin the third period on the power play after Juuso Parssinen was called for a high stick.

First period

After 1: Predators 1, Blackhawks 0

Gus Nyquist puts Predators up 1-0 against Blackhawks

Gustav Nyquist’s goal seconds into the Predators’ first power play of the game gave them a 1-0 lead. Nyquist’s ninth goal of the season came with 14:44 remaining in the first period. Roman Josi and Ryan O'Reilly were credited with assists.

What channel is Predators vs. Blackhawks today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports South, NBC Sports

• Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

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Predators vs. Blackhawks start time

• Date: Tuesday, Jan. 2

• Time: 7 p.m. CT

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Nashville Predators 2023-24 schedule

All games on Bally Sports South unless listed; All times Central

October

10: at Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m., ESPN and ESPN+ — L 5-3

12: vs. Seattle, 7 p.m. — W 3-0

14: at Boston, 6 p.m. — L 3-2

17: vs. Edmonton, 7 p.m. — L, 6-1

19: at N.Y. Rangers, 6 p.m. — W 4-1

21: vs. San Jose, 7 p.m. — W 5-1

24: vs. Vancouver, 8:15 p.m. — L 3-2

28: vs. Toronto, 6 p.m., Bally Sports South and NHL Network (nationally) — W 3-2 (OT)

31: at Vancouver, 9 p.m. — L 5-2

November

2: at Seattle, 9 p.m. — L 4-2

4: at Edmonton, 2 p.m., Bally Sports South and NHL Network (nationally) — W 5-2

7: at Calgary, 8 p.m. — L 4-2

9: at Winnipeg, 7 p.m. — L 6-3

11: vs. Arizona, 7 p.m. — L 7-5

14: vs. Anaheim, 7 p.m., ESPN+ and Hulu — L 3-2

18: vs. Chicago, 1 p.m. — W 4-2

20: vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.— W 4-3

22: vs. Calgary, 8 p.m. — W 4-2

24: at St. Louis 2 p.m.— W 8-3

26: vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m.— W 3-2

28: vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.— W 3-2 (OT)

30: vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.— L 6-1

December

2: vs. N.Y. Rangers, 3:30 p.m.— L 4-3

3: at Buffalo, 6 p.m.— W 2-1

5: at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.— W 4-3 (SO)

7: vs. Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. — W 5-1

9: at Toronto, 6 p.m. — L 4-0

10: at Montreal, 6 p.m. — W 2-1

12: vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m. — W 3-2 (OT)

15: at Carolina, 6 p.m. — W 6-5 (OT)

16: vs. Washington, 7 p.m. — W 3-1

19: vs. Vancouver, 7 p.m. — L 5-2

21: at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. — W 4-2

23: vs. Dallas, 1 p.m. — L 3-2

27: vs. Carolina, 7 p.m. — L 5-2

29: at Detroit, 6 p.m. — L 5-4 (OT)

30: at Washington, 6 — W 3-2 (SO)

January

2: vs. Chicago, 7 p.m. — W 3-0 (21-16-1)

4: vs. Calgary, 7 p.m.

6: at Dallas, 7 p.m.

9: vs. Anaheim, 7 p.m.

12: at Dallas, 7 p.m.

13: vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

15: at Vegas, 9 p.m.

18: at Los Angeles, 9 p.m., ESPN+

20: at Arizona, 2 p.m.

22: vs. Florida, 7 p.m.

25: at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

27: at Edmonton, 3 p.m.

29: at Ottawa, 6 p.m.

31: vs. Los Angeles, 6:30 p.m.

February

10: vs. Arizona, 7 p.m.

13: vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m.

15: vs. Dallas, 7 p.m., ESPN+

17: at St. Louis, 4 p.m.

20: at Vegas, 9 p.m.

22: at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

24: at San Jose, 9 p.m.

25: at Anaheim, 7 p.m.

27: vs. Ottawa, 7 p.m.

29: vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.

March

2: vs. Colorado, 5 p.m.

5: vs. Montreal, 7 p.m.

7: vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.

9: at Columbus, 11:30 a.m.

10: at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m.

13: at Winnipeg, 6:30 p.m.

16: at Seattle, 9 p.m.

19: vs. San Jose, 7 p.m.

21: at Florida, 6 p.m.

23: vs. Detroit, 4 p.m.

26: vs. Vegas, 7 p.m.

28: at Arizona, 9 p.m.

30: at Colorado, 5 p.m.

April

2: vs. Boston, 7 p,m,

4: vs. St. Louis, 7 p.m.

6: at N.Y Islanders, 6:30 p.m.

7: at New Jersey, 6 p.m.

9: vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m.

12: at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

13: vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.

15: at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators shut out Connor Bedard, Blackhawks