Nashville 3, Winnipeg 1
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Referees:
Kendrick Nicholson, Chris Rooney
Linesmen:
Shandor Alphonso, Steve Barton
Attendance:
17534
By Field Level Media
Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne stopped 32 of 33 shots, and the Predators pulled away for a 3-1 win over the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena.
Nashville earned its 11th win in 12 games to increase its lead atop the Western Conference's Central Division. The Predators reached 100 points, which is tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for most in the NHL.
Kevin Fiala, Austin Watson and Viktor Arvidsson scored for Nashville.
Kyle Connor scored in a losing effort for Winnipeg, which lost its third game in a row.
Rinne stopped six shots in the first period, 12 in the second period and 14 in the third period to lead Nashville. He improved to 38-9-4 on the season and notched the 307th victory of his career.
Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson allowed three goals on 15 shots before he was replaced less than nine minutes into the game. Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 30 shots he faced in relief.
Nashville opened the scoring on a one-timer by Fiala at the 2:48 mark of the first period. Veteran defenseman Roman Josi carried the puck into the offensive end and swept a backhand pass to Fiala, who ripped a slap shot for his 22nd goal of the season. Fiala smiled and shook his head at Josi after the play.
The Predators added two short-handed goals in a 34-second span later in the first period to go ahead 3-0.
During a two-on-one break, Watson lifted a wrist shot over Hutchinson's shoulder for his 12th goal, two of which have come on the penalty kill.
Arvidsson quickly followed with a one-timer on a perfect feed from Filip Forsberg. The goal, which marked Arvidsson's team-leading 26th of the season and his first on the penalty kill, prompted Jets coach Paul Maurice to pull Hutchinson in favor of Hellebuyck.
Winnipeg sliced the deficit to 3-1 on a power-play goal by Connor at 1:08 of the third period. Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine each earned assists on the goal, which was Connor's 23rd of the season.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
Winnipeg |
|
Nashville |
Kyle Connor 1 |
Points |
Viktor Arvidsson 1 |
Kyle Connor 1 |
Goals |
Viktor Arvidsson 1 |
Patrik Laine 1 |
Assists |
Ryan Ellis 1 |
Kyle Connor 1 |
Power Play Goals |
N/A |
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
Viktor Arvidsson 1 |
Connor Hellebuyck 1.000 |
Save Percentage |
Pekka Rinne .970 |
Connor Hellebuyck 30 |
Saves |
Pekka Rinne 32 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
Winnipeg
|
33 |
1 |
1-5 |
3-3 |
14 |
30 |
Nashville
|
45 |
3 |
0-3 |
4-5 |
18 |
43 |
Upcoming Games
-
Nashville will play their next game on the road against Arizona. The Predators have a W/L % of .659 after a win and .640 after a loss.
-
Winnipeg will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Jets have a W/L % of .561 after a win and .621 after a loss.