Predators 2, Wild 1 (SO)
Colin Wilson had the lone goal of the shootout as the Nashville Predators shaded visiting Minnesota 2-1 Wednesday, sending the Wild to their eighth consecutive loss.
Wilson scored in the opening round of the sudden-death format, going to his backhand before lifting a shot over Minnesota netminder Josh Harding.
Nashville counterpart Pekka Rinne made 34 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped all three attempts in the shootout as the Predators halted a two-game skid. Rinne has surrendered just two goals in five career home starts against the Wild.
The eight-game drought is the longest for Minnesota since March 10-26 of last season. The Wild have scored just 10 goals during the streak.
After a defensive-minded 40 minutes that yielded few quality scoring chances, Nashville's Jordin Tootoo ended the scoreless deadlock seven minutes into the third period. The veteran forward got his stick on a Jonathan Blum wrist shot in front of the net and redirected it past Harding.
The Wild drew even with 3:59 remaining after coming close a number of times. Dany Heatley cut in front of the net and converted a backhand wraparound past Rinne.