Nashville Predators left wing Martin Erat scores the go-ahead goal as Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon tries to defend the empty net after Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom was away from the goal during the third period Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in St. Paul, Minn. The Predators won 3-1. (Photo: Genevieve Ross, AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Martin Erat scored an unassisted goal for Nashville with 8:15 left when Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom couldn't clear the puck cleanly, and the Predators earned their first victory by beating the Wild 3-1 on Tuesday night. Ryan Spaling had a goal late in the first period, and Chris Mason made 29 saves for the Predators in his first start of the season. He denied Dany Heatley off a rush and then on a rebound around the 5-minute mark. He stayed steady while the Wild tried to tie it. Heatley scored for the third time in three games for the Wild, who failed to finish their three-game homestand unbeaten. The Predators, who lost in a shootout in their previous two games, started a franchise-record-tying, seven-game trip with a strong finish. David Legwand added another goal for the Predators with 16.2 seconds remaining, taking advantage of a Wild turnover and catching defenseman Ryan Suter with his back turned to the play. SUMMARY: Predators 3, Wild 1 Erat took advantage of a rare mistake by the Wild's relentless star Zach Parise, who sent a pass out from behind his own net to a spot where none of his teammates were close enough to corral. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon was going the wrong way, and the puck kept streaking into the Wild zone with only Erat near it. Backstrom came out quickly enough to stop the breakaway with his stick beyond the top of the left circle, but Erat blocked the clearing attempt with his legs and chased down the puck at the goal line. He maneuvered it in toward the net and dumped it in before Backstrom could recover and Spurgeon could dive to stop it. Story Highlights