Pekka Rinne and Mike Fisher lead Nashville Predators to 3-1 win over Vancouver Canucks - NHL Update
An awesome display in goal by Pekka Rinne and a timely return from sickness by forward Mike Fisher led the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 win over Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.
A packed Bridgestone Arena watched as the Predators contained the highly rated Canucks offence to win their second game in a row and start a four game home stretch with a big win.
Nashville further secured its position at fifth in the Western Conference. The Predators with 76 points trail fourth placed St. Louis Blues by just three points as they chase fourth place to secure a home ice advantage for the playoff rounds.
Goaltender Pekka Rinne whose performances throughout the season had been excellent once again did not disappoint in the high stakes game.
Rinne made 32 saves during the game to keep Nashville’s lead intact as the Canucks outshot their opponents 33-28.
The highly talented Canucks offensive line which included both the talented Sedin twins this time fell short. The defeat ended Vancouver’s four game unbeaten run but luckily for them, table toppers Detroit Red Wings also lost their game against Chicago Blackhawks.
Vancouver is still within touching distance of the Western Conference top spot as they trail Detroit by just two points.
Both teams ran out of the blocks in the first period with both goaltenders facing a total of 23 shots. However, both Luongo and Rinne kept out their opponents ending the period at 0-0.
Nashville though broke the deadlock early in the second period.
Centre Mike Fisher who just about managed to make the team after recovering from a bout of flu put the Predators ahead at 5:42 with a brilliantly executed power play goal.
"I felt a lot better than I thought I was going to be," Fisher said. "Judging by the morning I was pretty tired after a short skate."
The lead was doubled at 13:16 by Sergei Kostitsyn with a shorthanded goal after brilliant work by Mike Fisher and defenseman Hal Gill.
With the Predators up by two goals, the Canucks increased their attacks outshooting the Predators 13-8 but Rinne was up to the task.
Vancouver finally broke through Rinne’s resistance at 16:52 as Dale Weise combined with Manny Malhotra to make it 2-1.
"I thought we played well," Weise said. "I think my goal gave us a spark. Their goalie stood on his head."
In the third period though Nashville looked the more likely to score and did just that three minutes from time with David Legwand making it 3-1.
Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault praised the Predators work ethic and said that they deserved to win after this performance.
"In the third period, they took their game up a notch and they were the better team. They had way more opportunities than we did, and they deserved to win."
The Canucks will now look to return back to winning ways on Thursday, as they face a battle for the top spot against Detroit Red Wings, while the Predators welcome the St. Louis Blues.
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