Senators Top Predators 3-1

Wade Redden isn't considering a move to forward.

The defenseman had the best offensive performance of his three-year career Saturday night, scoring once and adding two assists as the Ottawa Senators beat the expansion Nashville Predators3-1.

The Senators (3-0-0) have won the first three games of the season for the first time since re-entering the league in 1992-93.

"I've been putting an effort into jumping into the play more," Redden said. "But that pace won't continue, I can say that with confidence."

Redden says that the important thing for Ottawa's defensive corps is that they are getting chances to help out.

"(Coach) Jacques (Martin) has been preaching for us to get involved," Redden said. "As long as we get chances. If they go in, they go in."

Ron Tugnutt got his first win in his first start of the season, turning aside 21 Nashville shots.

"It's nice to get the first one out of the way," Tugnutt said. "I think I made a couple of nice saves, but I left some juicy rebounds that my defensemen helped me out with."

The Predators took a 1-1 tie into the third period, hoping to extend their unbeaten streak to two games in their first road game of their short history.

But turnovers killed the Predators as the Senators scored all of their goals on Nashville giveaways.

"We turned the puck over too much in the neutral zone," said Nashville coach Barry Trotz. "They had the opening-night energy and used it to good advantage."

Ottawa got a power-play goal in the second period from Andreas Johansson and then third-period goals from Magnus Arvedson and Redden to emerge with the win. Arvedson's goal was shorthanded.

After falling behind 1-0, Nashville (1-2-0) tied the score 7:14 into the second period when center Jeff Nelson ripped a slap shot from the top of the right circle between the legs of Tugnutt. It was Nelson's second career NHL goal and his first since the 1994-95 season when he was with Washington.

"This one felt really good," Nelson said of his goal. "This one was more exciting than the first one. I had a lot of time and got a slap shot off that found the five-hole."

Predators goaltender Mike Dunham did his best to keep his team in the game, stopping 31 shots. He was named the game's second star behind Tugnutt.

"We gave them two chances in the third and they took them," Dunham said. "We have to learn to take the points when we can get them and not force things."

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