Pekka Rinne’s return gives Nashville Predators victory against Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-0–NHL Update
After missing the last game after which Nashville Predators got their five-game winning streak snapped, goalie, Pekka Rinne, made another start and proved his selection as he completed a shutout as his team dominated Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-0, in the National
Hockey League (NHL) game on Thursday, January 19, 2012, at the Nationwide Arena.
Rinne made 38 saves for his fourth shutout, while Martin Erat, Mike Fisher and Shea Weber contributed one goal apiece for the victory.
The Predators started with Anders Lindback in their last game against New York Rangers, but they learnt from their mistake and brought Rinne back.
"He's been really good," Nashville coach, Barry Trotz, said of Rinne. "He's been tracking the puck really well. He's an elite goaltender."
Even Blue Jackets’ inter coach, Todd Richards, was forced to praise Rinne after the game.
“Rinne's a world class goalie and the players in front of him trust him," he remarked.
The first scoring move of the game came in second period. Columbus’ Samuel Pahlsson won a faceoff against Mike Fisher.
Pahlsson sent the puck to Fedor Tyutin, who gave it away in the neutral zone to Sergei Kostitsyn.
He skated forward with the puck leaving the defenders behind and forced the goalie, Steve Mason, to come forward.
Kostitsyn saw the goalie leaving the net and flicked the puck towards Erat who just need to tuck it into the half open net.
At 11:33, Columbus’ Derek Dorsett was sent off for two minutes for interfering Rinne.
The shorthanded Columbus witnessed a skilful move from their opponents.
Roman Josi sent the puck from the edge of the right circle to Erat, who was present at the edge of the left circle.
Erat sent the puck back to Josi, who sent a pass to Fisher, who was present in front of the opponent’s goalie.
Fisher collected the puck and flicked it into the net for Predators’ second goal of the game.
The Predators increased their lead at the end of the final period. The third goal was rather easier and the Predators needed only accuracy to get it.
From his own zone, Weber successfully sent the puck into the empty net and got his 10th goal of the season.
After playing 47 games, the Predators are now ranked sixth in the Western Conference with 58 points.
Predators' coach, Trotz wants his team to win the Central Division, in which his team is ranked fourth.
“We're not really looking back, we're looking forward. It is actually a blessing in disguise for us. We're not worried about just making the playoffs -- we want to win our division, and you're going to have to play at a high level to win this division."
The Predators are now going to take on Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, January 21 while the Blue Jackets will now face Detroit Red Wings on the same day.
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