Nashville’s balanced scoring overwhelms reeling Blues

[February 26, 2018]  Colton Sissons scored the only goal Nashville would need five minutes into the game and Pekka Rinne turned away 27 shots as the Predators used a balanced scoring attack to roll past reeling St. Louis 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville won its fourth straight game, improved to 9-2-2 in its past 13 contests and reassumed sole possession of first place in the NHL's Central Division, two points ahead of idle Winnipeg.

The loss was the season-worst sixth straight for the Blues, who have scored two goals or fewer in eight of their past 11 games. St. Louis has fallen behind Dallas and Anaheim in the wild card standings for the Western Conference.

Rinne recorded his sixth shutout of the season and 49th of his 11-year NHL career.

The Predators opened the scoring at the 4:45 mark of the first period when Sissons, working on the power play, collected Kyle Turris' feed on the rush and ripped a shot over the glove of St. Louis goalkeeper Jake Allen. Roman Josi was also credited with an assist on the play.

Nashville doubled its advantage about 10 minutes later as Kevin Fiala carried the puck in into the offensive zone on a two-on-one rush, waited patiently, and then fired a shot to the top shelf past Allen. Craig Smith garnered an assist on the goal.

Scott Hartnell added to the lead 1:20 into the second period as Calle Jarnkrok's pass to the front of the crease deflected off Hartnell's skate and into the net. The second assist on the goal went to Ryan Ellis.

 

 Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) makes a save during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Watson joined the Predators' scoring party with 6:36 left in the second period, wristing a shot past Allen after a feed from Ryan Johansen for a 4-0 Nashville advantage.

Forward Nikita Soshnikov made his debut for the Blues after being traded from Toronto on Feb. 15 and waiting for his work visa.

Next up for Nashville is a showdown for first place in Winnipeg on Tuesday while the Blues head to Minnesota to battle the Wild, also on Tuesday.

-- Field Level Media

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