Rinne backstops Preds to win vs. Stars
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Riding Pekka Rinne's outstanding goaltending and converting on some point-blank chances, the Nashville Predators avenged their only regulation loss in Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night.
Rinne stopped 33 shots, including 22 in the second period, while Filip Forsberg led the offense with a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars.
It was the fifth straight home win for Nashville (9-7-3), which is 7-1-1 in its gold uniforms this season. The only regulation defeat was administered by Dallas on Oct. 18 in a 2-1 decision.
As they did in that game, the Stars registered a healthy advantage in shots on goal. But Rinne (8-5-3) was again the best player on the ice, and this time got enough help from his teammates.
Forsberg got the scoring started at 14:52 of the first period, taking a pretty diagonal pass from P.K. Subban in the left faceoff circle and beating Kari Lehtonen with a wrister that caromed off the left post, then Lehtonen's leg before finding the twine.
Mike Fisher upped the Predators' lead to 2-0 at 16:06 of the second period by beating Lehtonen on a rebound. Referee Kelly Sutherland originally waved off the goal, but after a replay review in Toronto, it was determined the puck completely crossed the goal line, giving Fisher his fourth goal.
The Stars (8-8-5) got on the board while shorthanded at 5:32 of the third period. Patrick Sharp, who missed 14 games earlier this season with concussion-like symptoms, lasered a wrister by Rinne for his first goal.
But Nashville answered back 37 seconds later when Ryan Johansen scored his second goal. Left all alone in the slot, Johansen swatted James Neal's centering pass off and over Lehtonen and into the net.
Craig Smith sealed the verdict after a giveaway by rookie defenseman Julius Honka led to a 3-on-0 in front of Lehtonen. Forsberg fed Smith at the left goalpost and he made no mistake at 11:09 for a 4-1 margin.
Brett Ritchie's sixth goal at 18:44 drew Dallas within a pair, but Neal capped the scoring with an empty-net marker at 19:44, his ninth goal.
Lehtonen (4-6-3) made 16 saves.
NOTES: Dallas D John Klingberg drew back into the lineup Wednesday night after being a healthy scratch Monday night because he showed up late for a meeting prior to morning skate. ... Nashville RW Miikka Salomaki (upper-body injury) practiced Wednesday and might be close to returning. He's missed the last 16 games. ... The Stars scratched LW Curtis McKenzie, along with Ds Patrik Nemeth and Stephen Johns. ... Predators scratches were C Cody Bass and D Matt Carle, who were placed on waivers earlier Wednesday.