Predators beat the Blues in shootout, ending losing streak

The middle may not have been pretty, but Marcel Goc made highlight plays at the beginning and end of tonight's game which made the difference as the Nashville Predators ended a 5-game losing streak by beating the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in a shootout.

Midway through the 1st period, Goc swept a puck off the goal line preventing a Blues goal, and ended up scoring the game-winner in the 4th round of the shootout to get the Preds back into the Win column for the first time since October 24 at Tampa Bay.

Follow after the jump for the video highlights, reaction, and the advanced even-strength stats...

The Preds return to Bridgestone Arena Saturday against the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, so use the OtF discount to save money on Nashville Predators tickets for this, or any other home game. Saturday's game is expected to sell out, but there are still some tickets available! 

First, the video highlights...

• Just put the puck on net, eh? When they were down 1-0, a Bouillon shot led to a loose puck that Cal O'Reilly was able to tuck home, and as they trailed 2-1, J.P. Dumont caught the Blues defense napping and slipped a quick backhander by Halak.
• Another close game, another 3rd period gaffe by the Preds. This time, it was Kevin Klein stepping up on a 4-on-4 to try and cut off a pass through center ice. Instead, he lets Matt D'Agostini get loose behind him for a breakaway. It's a shame that such mistakes can wipe out long stretches of solid play.
• The Preds' 5-on-3 power play late in the 2nd period was positively revolting. 1:37 of action, and not a single shot on goal. The two point men were, at times, standing just a few feet away from each other, making it easy for one Blues defender to harass them.
• While the PP was inept, at least the penalty killers held serve on their end, killing all four chances, including an uber-dangerous 4-on-3 in overtime.
• That said, defensively the Preds put the clamps down after the first period, giving up just 14 total shots in the 2nd, 3rd, and overtime periods.
• St. Louis was the more physically aggressive team all game long, despite having played last night and suffering from just as many (if not more) key injuries as Nashville.
• Pekka Rinne looked better than in recent outings. In particular, he made several stops which required him to completely contain the puck and not give up a rebound, as David Backes was in position to jump on them.
• Goc had an atypically poor night on the faceoff dot, going 3-for-9. Legwand was 4-for-11, continuing his woes there.
• In the 3rd period especially, however, Legwand had a few great shifts driving possession in the offensive end. He was able to wheel around the zone under pressure, and dish the puck off for shots on net.

And for your advanced even-strength stats...

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