Predators 3, Canucks 0
Rookie Blake Geoffrion snapped a scoreless tie just under two minutes into the third period and Pekka Rinne turned aside all 29 shots he faced as the Nashville Predators recorded a 3-0 road victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
Patric Hornqvist netted his team-leading 18th tally of the season to end an eight-game goalless drought and David Legwand also scored for Nashville (33-23-9). With the win, the Predators moved into a tie with the Calgary Flames (33-24-9) for seventh place in the ultra-competitive Western Conference standings.
Jordin Tootoo was credited with an assist on Geoffrion's tally for his first point since returning from a lengthy absence due to being in the NHL Substance Abuse Program.
With the game still scoreless, Geoffrion collected a loose puck and wired a shot past Roberto Luongo at 1:59 of the third period. The first fourth-generation player in league history, Geoffrion collected his second goal in as many games.
Hornqvist and Legwand tallied under two minutes apart late in the third period to seal the win.
The modest offense was enough for Rinne, who secured his fifth shutout of the season and 19th career. The 28-year-old Finn stopped 11 shots in the first period, six in the second and 12 in the third.
Luongo turned aside 26 shots for Vancouver (40-16-9), which has alternated losses and victories in its last 11 contests following a six-game winning streak.