Tanner Jeannot scored twice, while Mattias Ekholm collected three assists to lead the host Nashville Predators to a 6-1 thrashing of the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon.

Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen both netted one goal and one assist, while Nick Cousins and Roman Josi added singles. Goaltender Juuse Saros made 37 saves in the win. Yakov Trenin and Matt Duchene both registered two assists for the Predators, who snapped a two-game losing skid.

Philipp Kurashev replied for the Blackhawks, who have lost three straight games and have one win in their last five outings. It was their first game since Dec. 18.

With Chicago's top two goalies, Marc-Andre Fleury and Kevin Lankinen, both out of action due to COVID-19 protocols, goalie Collin Delia started an NHL game for the first time this season. It didn't go well, as he was victimized for three first-period goals on seven shots before giving way to Arvid Soderblom the rest of the game. Soderblom stopped 15 of 18 shots in his NHL debut.

Forsberg sent the Predators off and running with his 15th goal of the season just 62 seconds into the clash. Duchene gained the zone before slipping a pass to Forsberg at the top the left circle and he ripped a top-corner shot.

After Johansen doubled the lead at the 5:53 mark by burying a wide-open chance for his second goal in as many games, Cousins deflected an Ekholm point shot for a power-play goal with 46.7 remaining in the opening frame.

Jeannot scored 28 seconds into the second period to put the rout in high gear, followed by Josi's power-play goal five-plus minutes later -- in his first game back after missing a pair of outings due to COVID.

Kurashev put the visitors on the board late in the second period, but Jeannot's deflection marker 53 seconds into the third period, his 10th goal of the season, quashed any comeback hopes.

There is some good news for the Blackhawks, as Fleury could return to the team in time for Sunday's home game against the Calgary Flames.

--Field Level Media