Predators Win Eighth in a Row

Paul Kariya had a goal and an assist, Tomas Vokoun made a season-high 38 saves and the host Nashville Predators scored three first-period goals on the way to a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

The Predators, who are two victories shy of the NHL record for wins to start a season set by Toronto in 1993-94, matched the second-longest streak in league history. The 1934-35 Maple Leafs and 1975-76 Buffalo Sabres started with eight wins.

“We’re in pretty elite company right now,” Coach Barry Trotz said. “I told the team that if we can do something special, go for it. If it happens, great. If not, we’ll move on.”

The Predators will play tonight at Columbus, Ohio, and at home against Edmonton on Saturday.

*

Florida 4, Pittsburgh 3 -- Stephen Weiss’ slap shot from the right faceoff dot eluded goalie Jocelyn Thibault on a power play 53 seconds into overtime at Pittsburgh, and the Panthers ran the Penguins’ winless streak to nine games.

Lukas Krajicek’s power-play goal with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation tied the score, 3-3.

*

New York Islanders 4, Atlanta 3 -- Alexei Yashin had two goals and an assist for the host Islanders to extend his points streak to seven games.

Miroslav Satan also scored for New York, giving him seven goals, five in his last four games.

*

Phoenix 5, St. Louis 4 -- Peter Nedved scored off a rebound 1:51 into overtime to give the Coyotes the victory at Glendale, Ariz.

Jamal Mayers scored twice for the Blues, who have lost three in a row by one goal.

*

Montreal 3, Philadelphia 2 -- Mike Ribeiro scored his second goal of the game 2:28 into overtime to help the Canadiens win at home for the third consecutive time.

Ribeiro had tied the score, 2-2, midway through the third period.

*

Colorado 5, Edmonton 3 -- Patrice Brisebois, playing in his 800th game, and Ian Laperriere scored in the final minute to help lift the Avalanche at Denver.

*

Vancouver 3, Minnesota 1 -- Markus Naslund broke a tie early in the second period at St. Paul, Minn., with his team-leading seventh goal to help the Canucks win their sixth consecutive game.