James Neal, Craig Smith and Filip Forsberg each scored in the first period and the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 even though Patrick Kane extended his franchise-record points streak to 24 games.
Kane scored his 18th goal this season at 5:43 of the third. He'll have a chance Friday night against Winnipeg back in Chicago to match Sidney Crosby's 25-game streak, set in 2010-11, for the longest since 1992-93.
The Predators lost their challenge for goaltender interference on Kane's tally.
Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne thought he had covered the puck with his glove when Chicago center Marcus Kruger came in, knocking it away. Kane had the easy tap-in from the side.
Rinne even skated out near the blue line trying to argue his case with the officials.
Neal sealed the victory with his second goal unassisted at 14:55, and Eric Nystrom scored a short-handed empty netter with 1:14 left.
