Roman Josi scored twice in the third period -- the deciding goal and clinching empty-netter -- and Ryan Ellis racked up three assists as the visiting Nashville Predators defeated the Dallas Stars 5-3 on Tuesday.

Josi netted the game-winner at the 7:35 mark of the third period as his shot deflected off the stick of Dallas' Andrew Cogliano then floated lazily over the head of goaltender Anton Khudobin and into the net. Kyle Turris and Ryan Ellis got assists on the score.

With 31 seconds remaining, Josi scored into an empty net.

Nashville struck first with 9:10 to play in the opening period, when Brian Boyle rushed down the ice to bury the rebound of a shot by Josi past Khudobin. Calle Jarnkrok also got an assist on the play.

Jason Spezza tied the game 3:31 into the second period when he wristed a shot over the blocker of Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne off assists from Mattias Janmark and Jason Dickinson. The score was the Stars' first tally in seven periods, more than 145 minutes, after Dallas was shut out in its previous two contests.

The Predators retook the lead near the midway point of the second period as Rocco Grimaldi corralled a bouncing clearing pass from Ryan Hartman and juked Khudobin to the ice before lifting a shot into the net. Ellis got the secondary assist on the score.

Late in the middle period, the teams combined for three goals in a wild 47-second span that ended with the game tied at 3-3.

First, Dallas' Esa Lindell whipped a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle past Rinne with 2:31 to play in the period. Spezza and John Klingberg were credited with assists.

The Stars took a short-lived lead just 26 seconds later. Tyler Seguin took advantage of a rush into the zone and a shot by Roope Hinze to beat a recumbent Rinne, with Lindell also getting an assist on the goal.

Nashville responded 21 seconds hence as Filip Forsberg worked in front of the net and outshoved Klingberg to get to Ellis' shot and redirect it past Khudobin, tying the game.

Dallas, which has lost three straight, returns to the ice on Thursday when it hosts the St. Louis Blues. The Predators head home to square off against the Los Angeles Kings, also on Thursday.

--Field Level Media