Viktor Arvidsson scored two goals Monday night as the Nashville Predators moved into a tie for first in the Central Division with a 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Defensemen Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis added power-play markers for Nashville, which tied the Jets with 79 points but has a game in hand. Craig Smith also scored for the Predators, and Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne made 36 saves to earn his 30th win of the season.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Max McCormick scored goals for Ottawa, which lost its fourth straight road game. Goalie Craig Anderson saved 36 shots in the losing cause.

Josi initiated the scoring at 9:28 of the first period with the Predators' second power-play tally in 24 chances, dating back over the past eight games. Moments after former Senator Kyle Turris rang the post with a slapper, Josi ripped a one-timer from above the right circle past Anderson's glove.

Arvidsson made it 2-0 at 14:32 of the first, finishing off a rush by Nashville's top line. Filip Forsberg broke into the zone and fed Ryan Johansen, who slipped the puck to Arvidsson near the left post. Arvidsson flicked it into a half-open net.

Pageau got Ottawa on the board with his eighth goal off a rebound at 16:03 of the opening period, only 22 seconds after Nashville's Colton Sissons went off for interference. Rinne made the initial stop on Mark Stone's one-timer, but Pageau pounced on the loose puck and lofted it over Rinne.

Ellis restored a two-goal lead for the Predators at 6:34 of the second period with the man advantage. Josi teed up Ellis at the left point, and Ellis rifled a one-timer past Anderson's blocker for his fourth goal.

McCormick notched his second goal, both against Nashville, at 8:05 of the second period. He skated to the top of the left circle after taking a pass from Fredrik Claesson and wired a wrister off the post and into the net.

Arvidsson made it 4-2 at 10:00 of the second thanks to Forsberg, who knocked down Erik Karlsson's breakout pass and then slid the puck through his legs to Arvidsson. The right winger then slotted a wrister past Anderson's blocker.

Smith added insurance for the Predators with his 18th goal at 8:15 of the third period.

--Field Level Media