Rinne, Predators shut out Blackhawks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Pekka Rinne made 22 saves for his first shutout of the season and fifth overall, and Joel Ward scored on a second-period power play in the Nashville Predators' 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
Jerred Smithson added a short-handed empty-net goal with 3 seconds left to help the Predators beat the Blackhawks for the first time in three games this season.
(AP)
Ward scored with 5:07 left in the second period. Francis Bouillon sent the puck in front of the net from the lower edge of the left faceoff circle, and Ward, stationed in front of the crease, redirected it past goalie Cristobal Huet.
NOTES: Chicago's Brent Seabrook was back in the lineup following what was believed to be concussion-related symptoms. ... Nashville's Martin Erat was scratched because of a lower-body injury. ... The Predators have scored a power-play goal in each of their last two games.