Jarnkrok, Saros combine to cool off Panthers

Calle Jarnkrok scored twice, leading the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.

Juuse Saros stopped 40 shots and the Predators beat the Panthers for the first time in four games.

“It’s nice to be back. Felt good out there,” said Saros, who played for the first time since missing seven games with an upper-body injury.

“It was a great, gutsy game from us. Really good effort from everybody. Good character win.”

Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves and lost for the first time in seven starts. The Panthers had their four-game win streak snapped.

The teams complete two-game series Saturday.

Jarnkok’s second goal gave the their

Predators a 2-1 lead at 1 minute, 17 seconds of the third period. Bobrovsky misplayed the puck behind the net and couldn’t get back before Mikael Granlund passed from behind to Jarnkok, who fired the puck in from the slot.

“We got two wins in a row now and it feels good to be winning hockey games,” said Jarnkok, who has six points in two games. “That’s what I’m thinking right now.”

Huberdeau gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead when Patric Hornqvist launched a saucer pass over a fallen Nashville defender to Huberdeau in front. He put the puck behind Saros with 1:22 left in the first.

“I think we gave up a little too many chances tonight,” Huberdeau said. “We were lucky that it was a 2-1 game.

“[Bobrovsky] made some really good saves and kept us in the game. I think Saros was pretty good on the other side too.”