National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Nashville 3, Winnipeg 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 24, 2012
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Referees: Kyle Rehman, Eric Furlatt
Linesmen: Steve Miller, Jonny Murray
Attendance: 17113


PREDATORS 3, JETS 1: Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for his 40th win as Nashville delivered a devastating blow to Winnipeg’s postseason aspirations.

The Predators remained one point behind fourth-place Detroit in the Western Conference standings. The Red Wings recorded a 5-4 win over Carolina on Saturday.

The Jets dropped six points behind Buffalo for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Sabres posted a 3-1 win over Minnesota on Saturday.

After a scoreless opening period, the Predators thrilled an already electric crowd inside the Bridgestone Arena with a pair of goals in the middle frame.

Matt Halischuk opened the scoring 2:56 into the period when he took a pass from Alexander Radulov and blistered a shot past goalie Ondrej Pavelec. Radulov entered the Jets' zone against double coverage before making the beautiful pass to his linemate.

Rookie Gabriel Bourque made it 2-0 at 10:01 when he directed a rebound off a Nick Spaling point shot between Pavelec’s pads.

Nashville captain Shea Weber scored his 15th goal into an empty net to secure the win.

Tim Stapleton ruined Rinne’s bid for his fifth shutout of the season at 12:53 of the third period with his 11th goal.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Radulov made his first home appearance since the 2007-08 season. … Nashville C Paul Gaustad returned from an upper body injury after missing the last four games. … Nashville improved to 20-4-2 in its last 26 home games.

Top Game Performances
 
Winnipeg   Nashville
Tim Stapleton 1 Points Gabriel Bourque 1
Tim Stapleton 1 Goals Gabriel Bourque 1
Spencer Machacek 1 Assists Mike Fisher 1
N/A Power Play Goals Shea Weber 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ondrej Pavelec .926 Save Percentage Pekka Rinne .960
Ondrej Pavelec 25 Saves Pekka Rinne 24
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Winnipeg 25 1 0-1 3-4 8 34
Nashville 28 3 1-4 1-1 2 35
Upcoming Games
  • Nashville will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Predators have a W/L % of .535 after a win and .625 after a loss.
  • Winnipeg will play their next game at home against Ottawa. The Jets have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .525 after a loss.