Nashville, TN – The Nashville Predators completed their five game home stand with a 4-2 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild tonight at Bridgestone Arena. After a disappointing opening night loss, the Preds have now reeled off four straight wins, improving to 5-1 on the season.
Craig Smith put the Predators up 1-0 on a backhander that beat Wild starting goalie, Alex Stalock, with assists from P.K Subban and Ryan Johansen. Stalock got the start over Devan Dubnyk for Minnesota.
Mattias Ekholm then gave the Predators a 2-1 lead on a wrist shot at 3:51 of the second period. Ekholm was assisted on the score by Ryan Johansen.
Filip Forsberg then extended the Nashville lead to 3-1 at 12:02 of the second period on a sweet breakaway wrist shot the beat Stalock top shelf, and the Preds had a comfortable two goal advantage.
Mikko Koivu brought Minnesota to within a gola at 15:03 of the second period, on a wrist shot that beat Rinne, for the 3-2 score.
Minnesota turned up the heat in the third period, threatening to even the score, but Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne stood tall in net to deny the Wild, to help seal the victory for Nashville.
Miikka Salomaki tapped in the empty netter at 19:49 of the third period for the final score.
Nashville will have three days rest before traveling to Calgary for a match-up with the Flames. The Predators hope to avenge the 3-0 shutout at the hand of the Flames on opening night in Nashville.
The Predators return home on Tuesday night to host the San Jose Sharks. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
