Josi becomes Predator’s all-time leading scorer in the win over the Blackhawks

CHICAGO– Roman Josi became the Nashville Predators’ all-time leading scorer when he scored and assisted in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

Josi has 567 points (147 goals, 420 assists) in 791 games, overtaking David Legwand, who had 566 (210 goals, 356 assists) in 956 games with Nashville.

“It’s definitely a great honor,” said Josi. “I think being here this long is something I never dreamed of when I first started in the NHL. So many people who have shown me a lot of trust, so many people I am grateful for, teammates who have been here for so long, co-workers, everyone. It’s definitely a great honor. “

Video: [email protected]: Josi sets record on Novak PPG

Hair in saros made 37 saves, and Juuso Parssinen had two assists for the Predators (14-13-4), who have won two in a row after losing six in a row (0-4-2).

“Great performance for Roman,” said Nashville coach John Hynes. “The franchise had so many really good, successful players. I think it speaks volumes not only about his talent but also about his longevity and what he means to the organization. Having the opportunity to train him and deal with him every day, I want to say that it’s not surprising, such a talented guy who is motivated and dedicated.

“The consistency with which he plays is certainly exceptional. You don’t get recognized for those things and you don’t achieve those things unless you’re a highly talented player who’s really motivated, and he is.”

Connor Murphy had a goal and an assist, and Peter Mrazek made 33 saves for the Blackhawks (7-20-4), who have lost eight in a row and 16 of 17 (1-15-1).

“Whether it’s a negligence bug on our part, when we’ve got a few good shifts and we feel like we’re getting rolling, we’re not staying disciplined enough to keep that going for a period of time,” Murphy said. “And I think if we commit a little more to that … we’ll be rewarded for playing right.”

Nino Niederreiter gave Nashville a 1-0 lead at 9:23 of the first period by scoring from high position on a breakaway pass Cody glass.

Video: [email protected]: Niederreiter hits a nice shot from the circle

The Blackhawks scored twice in 37 seconds in the second period to take a 2-1 lead.

Murphy leveled it 1-1 at 4:03 p.m. with a shot from the blue line that was deflected by Glass in the slot MacKenzie Entwistle made it 2-1 at 4:40 p.m. when his shot from the right face-off circle deflected off the Nashville defender’s skate Jeremy Lauzon.

Matt Duchene Tie 2-2 at 7:55 p.m. with a cross ice pass by Mathias Ekholm and type it in the correct post. It was Duchene’s third straight game by a goal.

“Yeah, that can’t be allowed to happen and it really hurts,” said Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson. “We were in a position we’ve never been in before [for] a little bit. We had to be ready to fight a little harder and I think we won a lot of brawls and physical fights behind the nets and around the blue lines in the first two periods. Then it wasn’t there in the third. I think that was the biggest problem of the game.”

Josi gave the Predators a 3-2 lead at 1:27 of the third period, ran along the goal line and backhanded past Mrazek.

Video: [email protected]: Josi scores a goal to take the lead in 3rd place

Thomas Novaks first goal of the season in the power play at 6:09 to 4:2. Novak took a pass from Josi and scored with a wrist shot from the left circle.

“It feels good,” Novak said. “Pretty good time of the game for us to make two. It felt really good to get rid of the first one when he came back this year.”

The Blackhawks then played with five defenders Jake McCabe took down a tall stick with his face Tanner Jeannot at 9:54 of the first period. McCabe did not return.

“He got a couple of stitches and they just had to examine the eye,” Richardson said. “They put some paint in there to do all these tests and checks and they came back tonight and said he should be fine. So he should be fine for Friday’s game (against the Columbus Blue Jackets).”

REMARKS: Josi is the second defenseman to lead an active NHL franchise in scoring (Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins; 1,506 points). … Josi’s 27th game-winning goal went past Martin Erat for third in Nashville history Philip Forsberg (42) and Legwand (41). …Predator’s defenders Ryan McDonagh had an assist in 20:49 Ice Time after missing seven games with an upper-body injury. McDonagh, who was hit in the face by a shot against the New York Islanders on December 2, was carrying a full cage. … Novak has one goal and one assist in two games after being recalled from the American Hockey League from Milwaukee on Monday. … fullback for the Blackhawks Isaac Phillips was minus-2 with two shots and five in 17:59 on his season debut after being recalled from the AHL by Rockford on Monday. … The Predators have a 15-game point streak against the Blackhawks (12-0-3), their longest active streak against an opponent.