Steven Stamkos, Gustav Nyquist, and Tommy Novak scored for the Predators (18-22-7), who have won five straight. Brady Skjei had three assists, and Justus Annunen made 30 saves.

San Jose Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov, the Nashville Predators' top draft pick in 2020, spoke to media about facing his old team on Thursday.

The goaltending matchup featured Nashville's Justus Annunen against San Jose's Yaroslav Askarov, the Predators' first-round draft pick in 2020 who requested a trade out of Nashville last August after the team signed Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension. Annunen made 30 saves on 35 shots, while Askarov made 32 saves on 38 shots.