The Predators beat the Jets to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs

Scheifele gave the Jets a 2-1 lead at 8:19, beating Saros with a backhand in front on a partial layup after receiving a lead pass from Tyler Toffoli.

DeMelo made it 3-1 at 12:46 with a shot from the slot off a pass from Morgan Barron.

“We played well in the first game, and after they tied it, we played really well,” Jets coach Rick Bowness said. “It wasn't our best hockey in between, but we played better than that and we lost, so we'll take that. Our goalie was great.”

Stestny cut it to 3-2 at 7:34 of the third period after Roman Josi deflected a center pass in the air.

“I've been on a lot of teams in my career and I've never been on a team that fought until the end like this,” Predators forward Michael McCarron said. “This is a very special group. It was good to get that point tonight and it feels good to be heading into the playoffs.”

O'Reilly tied the score at 3-3 with a wrister off a pass from Roman Josi at 9:41 of the third period.

“These are the ones you dream of scoring as a kid, just big goals at the right time,” O'Reilly said. “It always feels good. It was a good feeling to get to this point and strengthen us.”

NOTES: The Predators have made the playoffs nine times in the last 10 seasons. … Josi became the third active defenseman to record 80 assists in multiple seasons (96 in 2021-22), joining Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar.