Pekka Rinne could not save Nashville Predators from losing 3-2 in a shootout against St. Louis Blues - NHL Update
Pekka Rinne was once again brilliant in front of goal for Nashville Predators yet this time his efforts fell short as the St. Louis Blues managed to beat him and the Predators 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at the Bridgestone
Arena.
For St. Louis Blues it was the perfect way to start a six game road trip and a win over their Central Division rivals will likely boost confidence.
The Blues recovered from a two game skid with the win as they remain fourth in the Western Conference with 81 points, four points ahead of the Predators who remain fifth.
Nashville outshot St. Louis 27-24 in the game but this time goaltender Jaroslav Halak came out on top over Rinne as the Blues kept Nashville at bay throughout the third period and overtime.
Halak was even better in the shootout stopping both of the Predators attempts.
Coach Ken Hitchcock praised his side’s efforts and also gave credit to the Predators for a good performance.
"I thought we were better than them in the first period, the overtime and the second half of the third period. They were better than us in the second period and the first half of the third."
For Nashville though it was another missed opportunity to close the gap between themselves and St. Louis in the race for home ice advantage in the playoffs.
Predators coach Barry Trotz thought that there was little to no difference between the two sides and he had an inkling that the game would go to a shootout.
"When we go at it with St. Louis it is always going to be each team taking some blows and giving some blows. We feel we could have been better a little bit, especially in the first period.”
Adding further he said.
"It is like two heavyweights going at it toe-to-toe. In the end, it's decided by the judges. It's a draw. You go to the scorecards."
The Blues went ahead in the first period as they started the game with much more purpose than Nashville.
Outshooting the hosts 13-6, the Blues took the lead at 4:13 with Chris Stewart breaking the deadlock with a wonderful finish to beat Rinne.
The Predators though regained their confidence in the second period and their offence started pressurising the Blues defence.
Two minutes into the second period, Nashville drew level as Roman Josi scored his third of the season and the Predators took the lead at 12:52 through Colin Wilson to make it 2-1.
However, the Blues did not get intimidated and just a minute after Nashville took the lead, tied the scores once again at 2-2 as Vladimir Sobotka scored his fourth goal of the season.
Nashville continued to probe for the win in the third period, outshooting the visitors 10-3 but Halak was up to the task as the game went to overtime.
Both teams failed to score in the overtime period leaving Andy McDonald to score the winner in the shootout as the Blues ended a two game losing run.
The Predators will look to bounce back from this defeat on Saturday when they face San Jose Sharks while the Blues continue their road trip with a stop in Winnipeg on the same day.
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