Coyotes at Predators
THE STORY: Pekka Rinne certainly remembers the last time he
faced the Phoenix Coyotes. The Nashville Predators goaltender was
celebrating his 29th birthday in grand style after signing a seven-year,
$49 million contract on Nov. 3. Rinne then went out and turned aside
all 35 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season, a 3-0 triumph
over the Coyotes. Those were the good old days for last season's Vezina
Trophy finalist, who is riding a five-game losing skid. After watching
Anders Lindback struggle in a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on
Saturday, Rinne is expected to resume his traditional post between the
pipes on Tuesday when the Coyotes invade Bridgestone Arena. Ever the
good teammate, Rinne applauded Lindback for his effort while also seeing
the bigger picture. "It's good for him (to play) and also for me to get
a breather," Rinne said. "I have to get my game back where it's been."
The Predators would certainly like that after posting only two wins in
their last eight to fall into fourth place in the Central Division.
Phoenix snapped a modest two-game losing skid with a 4-3 shootout
victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (14-9-3):
Radim Vrbata has been on quite the roll as of late. The 30-year-old
scored for the 12th time in 15 games on Monday - and then added a
shootout marker to preserve the victory. Veteran left winger Ray Whitney
assisted on Vrbata's first-period tally to move to within one point of
950 for his 20-year NHL career. Phoenix's power play has been atrocious
as of late, having converted only once in its last 36 opportunities. The
Coyotes failed on their lone effort with the man advantage on Monday.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (12-10-4):
Jordin Tootoo had a hearing with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan on
Monday following his hit on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.
Tootoo, who was assessed a major penalty for charging and a game
misconduct, will learn his fate on Tuesday. Nashville is starting to get
its power play untracked. The Predators have recorded nine goals with
the man advantage in their last eight games.
OVERTIME:
1. Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who
was the sixth overall pick of the 2009 draft, has certainly caught the
eye of coach Dave Tippett with his spirited play this season. "The
experiences he's gone through are benefiting him now, and he continues
to grow as a player," Tippett said of Ekman-Larsson, who leads the
team's blue-liners with five goals. He's a guy that's earned those extra
minutes."
2. Predators rookie center Craig Smith has collected
four points in his last two games - and notched an assist in Nashville's
triumph over Phoenix last month.