In one of the most exciting games held at Bridgestone Arena this season, the Nashville Predators won their sixth home game in a row, beating the St. Louis Blues 3-1 in front of yet another sold out crowd.

How exciting was it? Head Coach Barry Trotz put it perfectly.

“If you’re a fan and you didn’t know anything about hockey and this was your first game, you’ll be coming back.”

Amen Coach.

Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne made 42 saves, including 20 in the third period, to win his 11th straight game. He’s now 30-11-4 on the season and is 20-2-0 in his last 23.

It was all Preds in the first period. On the scoreboard anyway.

The Blues may have fired 16 shots at Rinne in the first but it was Martin Erat who struck first. The Trebic, Czech Republic native used the power play to fire a rocket from the blueline that went through traffic and into the back of the net.

“How many slapshots have you seen Marty take in the 14 years here?” Trotz said. “I like the fact that he’s not just playing one way. He’s adapting to the game.”

Moments later, Sergei Kostitsyn made an incredible pass to Mike Fisher who was in front of Jaroslav Halak. Fisher made a nice toe-drag move and put a backhander past the St. Louis netminder for the 2-0 lead.

The score would stay that way until the opening minutes of the final frame when Roman Josi made a rookie mistake. Instead of using his passing outlet as he carried the puck over his own blueline, he turned toward his own net. Chris Porter stole it and snapped a shot past Rinne to pull within one.

Then it became the Pekka Rinne Show.

During a mad scramble in the Nashville zone, Rinne went down to make a save on the right side of his crease. He couldn’t quite reach the rebound however and another mad scramble ensued. With Rinne down, the Blues were able to chip it to the other side of the crease where Kris Russell was able to get a clean shot off. Rinne reached out and made a miraculous glove save that some are calling the save of the NHL season.

“The puck was just laying there and he had an open net,” Rinne said. “That was a big save at the time. Sometimes you work your hardest and you get lucky sometimes.”

Coach Trotz agreed.

“There’s not too many goaltenders in this league that make that save. It’s why I keep saying he’s the best one.”

Kostitsyn would add the empty netter in the final seconds to seal the deal and give the Preds their sixth straight home victory and their sixth straight divisional win.

Nashville will try to keep their home streak going when the Vancouver Canucks come to town on Tuesday night.

Puck drops at 7:00pm Central.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy K. Gover // section303.com

“What save,” you ask?

This one.

Consider it a “We Are Nashville”-type initiative, if you must.

If you are dog lovers like us, please consider participating on Saturday morning. Cummins Station is about three blocks from Bridgestone Arena so you’re already familiar with the area. We promise it will be an amazing way to “pre-game” with your dog.

We did not receive any money or services for advertising this event, that’s how much we believe in it. So, if you have a canine family member, help out a local rescue organization and get a stunning professional portrait at the same time.

All the information (and the digital flier) is below.

***

EVENT TIMES:
Feb, 4th from 9:00AM – 2:00PM
(first come, first served)

PLACE:
Harmony Designs Photography
Cummins Station
209 10th Avenue South, Suite 146
Nashville, TN 37203

The $25 per dog sitting fee will benefit Agape Animal Rescue 100%! And if you wish to be in the shoot with your dog, we have you covered! For an extra donation of only $10 per person, you can get your picture made with your favorite pooch! Children under the age of 2 will need another adult in the photo with him/her.

We are excited to announce that our top sponsor, Melo Financial Services, has agreed to donate $50 to Agape for every already discounted, 11×14 Showcase Frame Special purchased by our attendees, up to $2000! You get a fabulous frame with a precious photo of your pet … and you help save a rescued dog at the same time!

With your help, Luv My Dog Day 2012 will be a smashing hit. We can’t wait to see you there, and we appreciate all of your support!

***

LEFTOVER THOUGHTS:
* Preds winger Brandon Yip was rewarded for his one goal, one assist outing on Tuesday by being a healthy scratch on Thursday.
* Early in the contest, defenseman Kevin Klein got hit with a clean check in the neutral zone. It looked bad but he did return.
* Midway through the first period, rookie Craig Smith appeared to have scored a power play goal. It was immediately waved off, however, as Smith clearly tipped the puck with a high stick (read: well above his head).
* Almost exactly 20:00 later, Smith had another near-goal. This one came after a great one-timed shot that rang off the post.
* Smith won his first 10 face-offs. He finished 10-2 on the night.
* Former Predator Scott Hartnell took two unnecessary whacks at Lindback in a 0:30 span in the second period. While he got away with the first one, he was booked for a double-minor on the second.
* The Predators hadn’t scored a goal with Anders Lindback in net for 123:59 until Suter’s tally in the third period.
* In Lindback’s six starts this year, Nashville has scored just nine goals.
* Lindback has only won one start this year. His other win came in relief of Pekka Rinne on December 1 against the Vancouver Canucks.
* Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds not only had two goals on the night but he also fired 10 shots at the Nashville net.
* Nashville is now 15-10-1 on the road this season.
* Matt Halischuk was the only Predator to finish with a positive rating (plus-1).
* No Flyer finished with a negative rating.

THE THREE STARS OF THE  GAME:
1) Matt Read (PHI)
2) Wayne Simmonds (PHI)
3) Brayden Schenn (PHI)

And once again they got the same result.

In front of 19,823 at Wells Fargo Center, the Preds lost to the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1.

Lindback gave Pekka Rinne the night off and, once again, played well despite the loss. The last time Lindback tended the nets was 16 days ago. Coincidentally, that was the last Nashville loss. But don’t let that fool you. Lindback was superb against the New York Rangers on January 17 and he was outstanding in tonight’s contest as well.

He turned aside 24 of 27 Philadelphia shots.

The home team was able to strike first. Wayne Simmonds was able to come off the boards into the slot, turn and fire a knuckle puck on net. But more than it was Simmonds’ goal, it was Zac Rinaldo‘s goal. He channeled his inner-Tomas Holmstrom, setting up shop in front of the crease, making Lindback’s visibility zero.

Flyers rookie forward Matt Read made it 2-0 when he rushed down the wing from his own zone, looked off Lindback, then fired a laser past the Preds netminder in the waning moments of the opening frame.

After an incredible third period that provided no fruits for their labor, the Predators finally solved Ilya Bryzgalov. With a little over 10:00 remaining in regulation, defenseman Ryan Suter joined the attack and Craig Smith gave him a perfect cross-ice feed that he one-timed into the Flyers net to pull his team within two.

But alas, while Jerred Smithson was in the box for an ill-timed interference call, Philadelphia put the game out of reach with a power play marker by Simmonds that made it 4-1.

All-Star Claude Giroux bagged the empty netter to close out the scoring.

Nashville will return to the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night when they take on divisional rival St. Louis.

Puck drops at 7:00pm Central.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Dean // special to section303.com (used with permission)

***

LEFTOVER THOUGHTS:
* Thank God hockey is back.
* The two-goal effort by Minnesota sniper Dany Heatley was his first multi-goal night of the season.
* Nashville amassed 10 shots on goal in the opening frame. Minnesota had 11 and they buried two.
* Pekka Rinne hadn’t allowed more than two goals during his nine-game win streak. He allowed four on Tuesday night.
* It was the first time since January 5 that Rinne has allowed more than two.
* Former Predator Jed Ortmeyer, whose spent the majority of the past two seasons in the AHL, played against his old club, finishing a minus-1 and with two shots on goal.
* Brandon Yip picked up his first point as a Pred with an assist on Matt Halischuk‘s goal in the second period.
* It was also his first point of the season.
* He also tallied his first goal since April 8, 2011.
* Despite being down by three, Nashville’s first shot on goal came 8:00 in. They would finish the period with four goals on 12 shots.
* Preds center Mike Fisher capped off an amazing month of January. In the 13 games he tallied 15 points (seven goals, eight assists).
* Matter of fact, Fisher only had three games in January where he didn’t wind up in the box score.
* Pekka Rinne capped off an amazing January as well. He finished the month with an 11-2-0 record, his best month ever.
* Captain Shea Weber may have had an assist and finished a plus-2 but he failed to record even a single shot on goal.
* Minnesota’s Kyle Brodziak had eight shots, a game high for both teams.
* With the victory, the Predators moved into second place in the Central Division, fourth place in the Western Conference, and now have the second most points in the West.

THE THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
1) Dany Heatley (MIN)
2) Mike Fisher (NSH)
3) Cal Clutterbuck (MIN)

But they still won.

In front of 17,325 at Xcel Energy Center, the Preds stunned the Minnesota Wild faithful (and the Wild themselves, for that matter) by scoring four unanswered goals in the third period to comeback from a 4-1 deficit to win.

Lost in the commotion of the dramatic comeback is Pekka Rinne‘s 10th consecutive win and 11th victory in the month of January.

Of his 21 saves, one in particular stands out. In the third period, with the Predators down 4-2, the Wild broke in 2-on-1. He went post-to-post for a miraculous save that kept the game within reach. Little did he know what the importance of that one save would be.

The Wild drew first blood midway through the opening period when Dany Heatley found the puck on his stick in the low slot. There wasn’t a Preds player within 12 feet of him and he capitalized, putting the puck past Rinne to make it 1-0.

Moments later, on the power play, Heatley got free in front of Rinne again and potted his second of the game (and 17th of the season) to make it 2-0, Minnesota.

The onslaught didn’t end with the first period, however. To start the second, Cal Clutterbuck skated hard down the wing, forcing Kevin Klein to turn around, got past the Preds defenseman and put a simple shot on net. The rebound caromed off of Clutterbuck’s skate and slid into the net as Rinne backed up into his net.

Nashville finally broke through halfway through the contest when Matt Halischuk deflected a Klein shot past Josh Harding to make it 3-1, Minnesota.

That new life they found didn’t last long though. Just 0:16 into the final frame, Kyle Brodziak came out from behind the net and put one past Rinne to make it 4-1.

The Predators tried to wrestle some momentum away from the Wild when Yip scored his first goal in a Nashville sweater. After a lengthy video review, it was deemed that the puck had crossed the goal line under Harding’s left leg. Despite it being called no-goal on the ice, the War Room in Toronto overturned it and awarded the tally to the Preds, making the deficit just two.

With under 4:00 remaining, Nashville made things interesting when Patric Hornqvist jammed home his 15th of the season to pull within one.

Then, before anyone in the building could collect their thoughts, Mike Fisher bagged a goal just 0:21 later to tie the game, 4-4.

Looking like the game was destined for overtime, Fisher threw a wrench in those plans. By just throwing a routine shot on goal with 0:16 left, the Predators got the unlikely game-winner. Harding misjudged Fisher’s shot from the half-wall and the puck found its way into the back of the net for Nashville’s fifth of the night.

The Preds will try to regroup with a better 60 minute effort against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.

Puck drops at 6:00pm Central.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Anna // special to section303.com (used with permission)

Well now’s your chance to watch it (or DVR it)!

If you’re in the Middle Tennessee market, you can see the doc on FS-Tennessee. If you’re a hockey fan not in the Nashville market, and you have the Fox Sports packages made available by DirecTV, etc., make note of the times below and set your DVR accordingly. It’s an incredible story of Nashville’s long standing hockey tradition.

The press release (with the details) is below. Also, you can listen to our interview with Gold Record filmmaker Scott Osborne by CLICKING HERE.

***

Nashville, Tenn. (January 31, 2012) – Leading into tonight’s 7 p.m. Nashville Predators game vs. the Minnesota Wild, the Preds flagship TV station, FOX Sports Tennessee, will debut the one-hour documentary “Nashville Predators Present:  Gold Record – 50 Years of Hockey History in Music City.”

This special takes a look back at the history of hockey in Nashville, beginning with the Dixie Flyers in 1962 all the way through to the present day Nashville Predators.  The show features interviews with Dixie Flyers captain Ken “Red” Murphy, South Stars owner Larry Schmittou, Knights radio broadcaster Steve Carroll, current Predators Chairman Tom Cigarran and country legend and hockey aficionado Barbara Mandrell, among others.  Fans will travel back in time to Municipal Auditorium, the original home of hockey in Nashville, by way of vintage footage and rare photos.  This all encompassing look at hockey in Music City will air on Fox Sports Tennessee several times over the next 6-8 weeks.

“Gold Record truly highlights the history and passion Nashville has had for hockey of the last half century,” Nashville Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker said. “It is a tribute to all the teams, players and fans who came before the Predators and laid the foundation for the support we have received over the last 15 years. We are sure that hockey fans and all sports fans in general will enjoy the program!”

The documentary was first shared as a Christmas gift to Season Ticket Holders, Premium Suite Holders, Corporate Partners and staff. 

Upcoming Broadcast Schedule:

• ·         Tuesday, Feb. 7

o   6 p.m. CT  (leading into Preds vs. VAN)

o   10 p.m. CT (following VAN post-game show)

• ·         Thursday, Feb. 9

o   10 p.m. CT (following Preds Snapshot, which follows OTT post-game show)

• ·         Saturday, Feb. 11

o   9 p.m. CT

• ·         Tuesday, Feb. 14

o   10 p.m. CT (follows CHI post-game show)

• ·         Sun day, Feb. 19

o   9 p.m. CT (follows DAL post-game show)

• ·         Saturday, Feb. 25

o   11 a.m. CT

• ·         March and April airdates TBD

The Nashville Predators take on the Minnesota Wild tonight (7 p.m., FSTN, 102.5 The Game) at the Xcel Energy Center in their first game back after the All-Star break. The team heads to Philadelphia on Thursday (6 p.m., FSTN, 102.5 The Game) to take on the Flyers before returning to Nashville to face off against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. To purchase tickets, visit nashvillepredators.com or call 615-770-PUCK (7825).

Saturday also marks the annual Nashville Predators Fangtastic 5k Run/Walk, presented by Adventureworks. The Run/Walk begins at 10 a.m. and features an all-new course that takes runners and walkers through downtown Nashville, beginning and ending at Bridgestone Arena. More information, registration, race updates and packet pickup information may be accessed through nashvillepredators.com/5Krunwalk.

FIRST STAR — MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI, C, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Grabovski tallied a League-leading five points (one goal, four assists) in two games during a shortened week prior to the All-Star break as the Maple Leafs (25-19-5) recorded back-to-back victories and drew even in points with the #7 Florida Panthers and #8 New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Grabovski recorded one assist in a 3-0 win over the New York Islanders Jan. 23 and tallied a season-high four points (one goal, three assists) in a 4-3 overtime win on Long Island Jan. 24 that gave Toronto a sweep of the home-and-home series. Playing in his fourth season with the Maple Leafs, Grabovski increased his season scoring total to 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 43 games.

SECOND STAR — PEKKA RINNE, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Rinne extended his winning streak to nine games by posting a 2-0-0 record, 1.00 goals-against average and .961 save percentage as the Predators (30-16-4) closed within three points of first place in the NHL overall standings at the All-Star break. Rinne made 25 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 23 and stopped 24 shots in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 24. Rinne improved his season record to 28-11-4 with a 2.36 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and four shutouts in 45 appearances. He has won each of his past nine starts, allowing two goals or fewer in every contest.

THIRD STAR — DANIEL ALFREDSSON, RW, OTTAWA SENATORS
Alfredsson tallied goals in each of the Senators’ two games leading into the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend and was a star attraction in front of a home crowd as Ottawa hosted the League’s mid-season showcase. He tallied his team’s lone goal in a 4-1 loss at Los Angeles Jan. 23 and notched the 406th goal of his NHL career in a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes Jan. 24. Serving as captain of Team Alfredsson in the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, the 39-year-old Gothenburg, Sweden native drew a standing ovation from the Scotiabank Place crowd with a pair of goals 1:31 apart in the second period that turned a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 lead over Team Zdeno Chara. Alfredsson also tallied an assist and recorded seven shots on goal, tied with Team Chara’s Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks for the most among all players in the 12-9 loss to Team Chara.

Dick’s Last Resort, at 154 2nd Avenue North in downtown Nashville, is your place to cheer on Ryan Suter (Team Chara) and Shea Weber (Team Alfredsson) today. They’re planning some giveaways (pucks, jerseys, etc.) and they’re offering food and drink specials during the event.

Dick’s is just a stone’s throw away from Bridgestone Arena and is an in-game sponsor of the Predators so go support them and get you and your family a nice meal at the same time!

The puck drops at 3:00pm Central so get there early!

The PDF for the event is HERE.

Despite Weber posting a new personal best (106.0 mph), Chara broke his own record of 105.9 with a shot that registered 106.2. Then he broke it again with an incredible 108.8 bullet in the next round.

In both of their previous meetings (2009, 2011) for hardest shot supremacy, Chara out-blasted Weber.

The Bruins captain has now won the last five Hardest Shot competitions.

The first round video is below.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Fuqua // Flickr (used with permission)

Preds captain Shea Weber will be Smith’s teammate on Saturday while fellow Nashville blueliner Ryan Suter was drafted by Team Chara.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Fuqua // Flickr (used with permission)

It will be the first time the Preds blueliners have played against each other since the 2010 Winter Olympics Gold Medal Game.

Suter was picked in the ninth round by Team Chara, one pick behind Weber.

This is Suter’s first All-Star Game appearance.

The pick puts the two heavyweights in the slapshot competition up against one another once again. The SuperSkills competition is on Saturday.

As expected, Weber’s defense partner Ryan Suter has yet to be drafted.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Fuqua // Flickr (used with permission)

***

LEFTOVER THOUGHTS:
* Brian McGrattan, Jerred Smithson and Francis Bouillon (injured) were scratched by the Preds.
* Chicago captain (and leading goal scorer) Jonathan Toews missed the game due to injury.
* Craig Smith‘s tally was his first non-power play goal since November 9.
* Matt Halischuk picked up an assist on Smith’s goal. It’s only his fifth helper of the year.
* Brandon Yip had a decent scrap with Steve Montador late in the second period. It was all Montador early on, lots of hugging in the middle and then all Yip at the end.
* It was Yip’s first fight since February 3, 2011.
* Pekka Rinne extended his own franchise record with his ninth consecutive win.
* Rinne has allowed just 12 goals in that nine-game span.
* The Preds netminder won his 10th game this month, a new personal best (10 wins in a month).
* Nashville is now 16-2-4 when Mike Fisher registers a point. (stick tap to Ryan Porth of smashville 24/7 for that stat)
* Chicago’s Dave Bolland did more than just score their only goal. He also went 17-3 in the face-off dot.
* Colin Wilson led all Preds with four shot on goal.

THE THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
1) Pekka Rinne (NSH)
2) Dave Bolland (CHI)
3) Mike Fisher (NSH)

Your Nashville Predators are now in third.

The 21,279 inside United Center witnessed their beloved Chicago Blackhawks drop a 3-1 decision to the Preds, thereby falling behind Nashville in the Western Conference standings by way of less wins.

The Preds will head into the NHL All-Star Break with a 30-16-4 record.

Speaking of a ridiculous record, Pekka Rinne continued his Vezina Trophy dance, making 25 saves on 26 shots to extend his consecutive win streak to nine games.

The 6’4″ Kempele, Finland native is 28-11-4 on the year. He needs just six more wins the rest of the way in order to post his best season ever.

Rookie Craig Smith opened the scoring midway through the opening period. With newcomer Brandon Yip planted in front creating a screen, Smith fired a wrist shot past Corey Crawford.

The Preds weathered a Chicago storm and then added insult to injury by scoring again. After the Blackhawks had the Preds hemmed in their own end for what seemed like an eternity (Ryan Ellis was on the ice for 2:23), Nashville was finally able to lead a rush the other way. Patric Hornqvist, tied up behind the Chicago net, kicked a pass to Mike Fisher who buried the second goal of the game for the visitors.

“Sometimes in this game, you have to survive shifts and we survived that one,” Head Coach Barry Trotz told FS-Tennessee during the first intermission. “The game’s all about weathering storms.”

In the final period, Chicago used a Dave Bolland goal to generate some life but it was too little, too late as the Preds closed out their pre-All-Star Break schedule with their 30th win of the season.

The team (read: non-All-Stars) will have six days off before heading to Minnesota next Tuesday night to take on the Wild.

Puck will drop at 7:00pm Central but, before you worry about that, enjoy NHL All-Star Weekend where Smith, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter will be featured.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Samantha Garivay // special to section303.com (used with permission)

***

LEFTOVER THOUGHTS:
* Defenseman Brett Lebda came over to the Preds in the Matthew Lombarditrade with Toronto last summer. He was almost immediately bought out. Last week, out of desperation, Columbus signed him to a one-year deal. Monday night was his first game in a Jackets sweater.
* Nashville out shot Columbus 12-3 in the opening period.
* Columbus returned the favor, out shooting the Preds 16-12.
* Rick Nash‘s goal was his 20th career goal against the Predators.
* Nash led all skaters with five shots on goal.
* Mike Fisher‘s second goal of the night was the elusive Goo Goo Goal. You can read more about it HERE.
* Ryan Suter missed the three previous games with an upper-body injury. He returned to action on Monday night and collected two assists.
* Pekka Rinne is now 17-2-0 in his last 20.
* He hasn’t allowed more than two goals since January 5.
* It was also Rinne’s ninth win in the month of January. With one more win (he has two more chances), he will break the franchise record for wins in a single month.
* The Blue Jackets took five penalties. The Preds, by contrast, had just two.
* Nashville and Columbus’ season series is now over. The Preds won the series, going 5-0-1.
* Nashville is an incredible 31-5-3 against Columbus since the 2006-07 season.
* The Predators have now won 11 of their last 13 games. They’ve outscored the opposition 41-23 during that stretch.
* Nashville posted at least four goals for the sixth time this month.
* Detroit beat the visiting St. Louis Blues tonight, furthering their lead on the Central Division and the Western Conference. Furthermore, it was their 17th win in a row on home ice.
* With the victory, Nashville pulled within a single victory of both St. Louis and Chicago in the standings, making tonight’s game vs. the Blackhawks all that more important.

THE THREE STARS OF THE NIGHT:
1) Mike Fisher (NSH)
2) Pekka Rinne (NSH)
3) Matt Halischuk (NSH)

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy K. Gover // section303.com

In front of 14,310 at Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-1.

Pekka Rinne finished with 25 saves — 16 of which came in the second period — for his eighth straight win, a new franchise record.

He is now 27-11-4 on the year.

Sitting with 62 points in the standings, if Nashville can beat the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow night — and if the Blues lose to Steve Sullivan and the Pittsburgh Penguins — there would be a three-way tie for second place in the Central Division and fourth in the Western Conference.

As far as this game went, however, Nashville wasted no time getting things going. Early in the contest, Martin Erat picked Antoine Vermette‘s pocket deep in the Columbus zone. Mike Fisher then tucked the puck under the cross bar and past Steve Mason for the goal.

Jackets captain Rick Nash tied the game in the middle frame when he got in behind the Predators defense, deke’d left to right and slid the puck past Rinne.

With RJ Umberger in the penalty box thanks to a too many men on the ice penalty, Fisher made 14,310 fans very happy. The Peterborough, Ontario native tallied his second goal of the game and the first Goo Goo Goal in history.

While it may seem trivial to most outside Middle Tennessee, Preds fans were introduced to the “Goo Goo Goal” promotion on opening night but had yet to have witnessed one. The promotion calls for everyone in attendance to get a free Goo Goo Cluster (a locally made candy/snack) if the Predators score in the final minute of the second period. After going 0-for-25 this season, Fisher’s power play goal, off a Shea Weber rebound, ended the drought.

Midway through the third, a tremendous shift by the fourth line led to an insurance marker. Rookie blueliner Ryan Ellis held the puck in the Columbus zone, deflecting it to fellow rookie Craig Smith in the slot. Matt Halischuk then collected it in an awkward position so he did the only thing he could do: spin and shoot. Mason couldn’t make the save and the Predators went up 3-1.

Using yet another power play, Patric Hornqvist rounded out the scoring when he tipped a Ryan Suter shot up and over Mason to make it 4-1 late in the contest.

The Preds will now hop on a plane and head to Chicago where they’ll take on the Blackhawks Tuesday night at United Center. It will be both hockey clubs’ final game before the NHL All-Star Break.

Puck drops at 7:30pm Central and you can catch all the action on 102.5 The Game and FS-Tennessee.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy K. Gover // section303.com

***

LEFTOVER THOUGHTS:
* Coming into the night, Chicago had won three straight.
* Saturday night was the first time Preds winger Brandon Yip has suited up for a team other than the Colorado Avalanche. He was claimed off of waivers by Nashville on Thursday afternoon.
* Yip finished with 10:22 of ice time and one hit.
* Matt Halischuk was scratched in favor of Yip.
* This was the first time in franchise history that the Predators had sold “standing room only” tickets.
* Apparently, standing room only tickets do not count toward the attendance numbers.
* With just under 5:00 gone in the first period, Brent Seabrook threw an open ice check knocking down Preds rookie Gabriel Bourque. When Seabrook got the puck, however, Jordin Tootoo returned the favor.
* Craig Smith‘s last three goals have been power play markers.
* Chicago managed just two shots on goal in the first period. They matched that total in the opening 0:48 of the second.
* Colin Wilson‘s jersey number has some extra meaning after last night. He scored the 33rd goal of his career.
* Both Jonathan Toews (Chicago) and Francis Bouillon (Nashville) left the game after the first period. Toews’ injury was undisclosed but Bouillon left with an upper-body injury.
* Smith and Kevin Klein led the Predators with four shots each.
* Nashville had four players with two points.
* Nashville is now 9-2-2 when playing the Central Division.
* Chicago Blackhawks jerseys spotted on the upper bowl concourse (listed from obvious to obscure): Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Viktor Stalberg, Jeremy Roenick, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Michael Frolik, Chris Chelios, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Tony Amonte. Additionally, Kris Martel of The Predatorial reported seeing the uber-rare Eric Daze jersey as well as a nice Gary Suter jersey in the lower bowl.

MY THREE STARS (as voted on with 5:52 left in regulation):
1) Sergei Kostitsyn (NSH)
2) Martin Erat (NSH)
3) Marian Hossa (CHI)

THE THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
1) Kevin Klein (NSH)
2) Sergei Kostitsyn (NSH)
3) Marian Hossa (CHI)

Tonight was no different.

In front of 17,113 fans inside Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Saturday night. Goals from Craig Smith, Kevin Klein, Colin Wilson, Sergei Kostitsyn and Patric Hornqvist propelled the Preds to their 28th victory of the season and their seventh win of their last eight.

Nashville is still sixth in the Western Conference standings but they pull within four of the Blackhawks (5th) and St. Louis Blues (4th) and they are now three wins away from Detroit for first overall in the Central.

Pekka Rinne made 20 saves and his counterpart at the other end of the ice, Corey Crawford, finished with just 13 before giving way to Ray Emery.

The visitors opened the scoring after Marian Hossa danced past Shea Weber and went post-to-post on Rinne for the score. The 2,000 or so Chicago fans in the building made their presence known when the puck went over the line.

“I was surprised how loud they were,” Preds winger Brandon Yip said. “It gives you a little motivation. You don’t want to hear the Blackhawks fans cheering so you try to not give them something to cheer about.”

Late in the period, Nashville would respond via a power play tally by Smith. The Wisconsin Badger scored his 10th of the year but only his second since December 6.

The Predators picked up where they left off in the middle frame when defenseman Klein made a relatively routine play. He gained the red line but, instead of the standard dump in around the boards, he put the puck on net. It ended up skipping on the ice which fooled Crawford. The puck got by the Chicago netminder to make it 2-1, Preds.

But it didn’t stop there. Nashville would make it 3-1 when, midway through the period, Legwand tossed a rolling puck through the Blackhawk crease to Wilson who potted his 10th of the season.

Then, just minutes later, Kostitsyn would bag his 12th of the year on a sweet move. Mike Fisher hit his linemate with a solid pass but he couldn’t shoot right away as Crawford had the net guarded. Kostitsyn then deke’d around him and, when Crawford lay on the ice, he shot it up and over him for the score.

Kostitsyn’s goal was the final one for Crawford. Emery, who Predators fans know well from last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinal series with the Anaheim Ducks, was called into duty for the rest of the night.

To start the final stanza, Chicago made things interesting on yet another goal by Hossa. He received an up-the-gut pass from defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, skated into the Preds zone and backhanded the puck between Rinne’s legs for the goal.

The Preds responded just moments later when Klein wound up and took a hard shot from the point. Hornqvist was able to get a stick on it in front, deflecting it past Emery for Nashville’s fifth goal of the contest.

The parting shot from Predators camp didn’t come from Cell Block 303 or any other Preds fans. Instead, it came from Head Coach Barry Trotz.

“I’d like to thank all the Chicago fans for coming tonight,” Trotz said. “Nashville is a great town. I hope you enjoyed your time.”

Later on in his press conference, he added “Nashville is a great destination. We’ll take the Chicago people’s money.”

Next up for the Predators are the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. Monday night’s tilt will be the last time the Preds play at home before the All-Star Break and the last time they’ll play the Blue Jackets this season.

It’ll be interesting to see how Nashville plays against the league’s worst team after beating one of the league’s best.

Puck drops at 7:00pm Central.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy K. Gover // section303.com