Pekka Rinne powers Nashville to 4-3 shootout win over Philadelphia

by Dirk Hoag on Mar 17, 2010 12:20 AM EDT in Nashville Predators Game Recaps

Pekka Rinne won his third straight game, turning aside 42 Flyers shots to help the Nashville Predators reach the shootout, where he stopped all three Philadelphia shooters. Martin Erat got the winner by beating Brian Boucher in the second round, pushing Nashville to 83 points in the Western Conference and a stronger grasp on 7th place.

Follow after the jump for reaction to tonight's game, and video highlights available on the right-hand sidebar...

It's a late night so I'll sum this one up briefly:

Pekka Rinne had one of his best games of the season, and appears to be gaining momentum at just the right time.
The Preds, outside of a 1st-period three-goal flurry, were generally outplayed by the Flyers (shots on goal were 45-31 Philly). Once Nashville got a 3-1 lead, it was a matter of holding on for the final two periods.
The referees were flat-out horrible in the 3rd period and overtime (even Philly fans noticed). There were two HUGE non-calls (a trip of Arnott and a hold of Legwand during a PK) that led directly to the tying Flyers scores. In the waning seconds of overtime, Scott Hartnell simply embarrassed the refs by throwing shots all over the place without fear of getting called. Referees Dennis LeRue and Kelly Sutherland should be ashamed of themselves tonight.
Steve Sullivan's goal was a great example of veteran savvy. He didn't give up on the initial shot, and cut hard around the back of the net for the chance to stuff the puck home.
Martin Erat's (or is that Rattier Man's?) goal was another demonstration of what happens when he cuts to the net rather than sticking to the perimeter.
Did my eyes deceive me, or did Jerred Smithson leave a drop pass when he had a breakaway instead of shooting the puck? I couldn't believe what I saw there.
A great crowd (16,585) was treated to a 1st intermission performance by long-time season ticket holder Vince Gill, and the national anthem was performed by a bagpiper. Big times in Music City!

Perhaps I'll get the advanced stats published tomorrow, but until then, what did you think of tonight's game?

Remember, OtF readers can go here for cheap Nashville Predators tickets.

Poll

Who is your Predator of the Game?

Martin Erat, goal, GW shootout goal

7 votes

Pekka Rinne, 42 saves

92 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

wow

even the flyers blog admits the officiating was extremely one sided. i don’t know the last time i saw a team admit to lopsided officiating in their favor.

by flyalder on Mar 17, 2010 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

Gutsy, gutsy win!

Peks is getting hot!

2 points out of 6th

6 points ahead of Calgary with the tiebreaker

I like our chances!

Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...

www.manningface.com

by Michaeltastic on Mar 17, 2010 2:19 AM EDT reply actions

11 points, 5-6-1

to get to the projected 94 points to make the playoffs

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 17, 2010 2:20 AM EDT reply actions

highlights

looked like an exciting game. too bad from what yall’ve said the refs let the Flyers back in it.

Lots of good saves by Rinne. It seemed at times he had trouble holding the puck in his glove, but a good job by the team and him to be in position to make the rebounds non-factors.

Pointless question, why did the Preds wear the road jerseys last night? Did they just feel good from the road trip and wanted to stay with the “hot” jersey?

TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....

by Evanbio on Mar 17, 2010 8:18 AM EDT reply actions

good win!

Yeah it was ugly but it was nice to see Peks steal one for the team. It seems like he’s getting his mental mojo back.

I agree the calls were not great but I’m a little sick of the Preds being such whiners about it during the game. There have been several plays this year where there will be a missed call and one of our guys will work to embellish the play and in the process remove himself from the play continuing on the ice which leads to a great scoring chance for the other team.
I understand that this, in a way, is part of the game but would rather the team continue to play and worry about the missed calls later.

by Tim P on Mar 17, 2010 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t the Preds themselves got caught up in it… Barry Trotz talked about that in the post-game presser. The fans, however, are free of course to get on the zebras all they want.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Mar 17, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Let’s give credit where it’s due. The Predators played through the worst officiating in at least seven years here. Only Arnott sat out the ridiculous non-call that gift-wrapped Gagne’s goal, and it’s doubtful he could have skated from his own blue line to help out anyhow. I’m no conspiracy theorist but I’m absolutely convinced the referees had an agenda.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Mar 17, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Great to see Peks back to form!

That’s the Pekka that came through for us last season.

Of course you can complain about the non-calls, but the refs didn’t let Philly back in the game: WE let Philly back in the game. We were playing to lose for at least 2/3 of the night.

It was fitting that the game ended in a shootout, because the Flyers goaltending lost the game for them, and Pekka won the game for us.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Mar 17, 2010 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

Did my eyes deceive me, or did Jerred Smithson leave a drop pass when he had a breakaway instead of shooting the puck?

yep.

by HartnellsMop on Mar 17, 2010 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Ref Job!

Fortunately the refs couldn’t affect Pekka in the shootout. They tried hard to give the Flyers the game, but they had to settle for a point. That was not home ice officiating. Maybe the refs got confused and forgot the game was in Nashville since the Preds were wearing the away jersey.

Maybe they were wearing the away jersey for luck. To keep the winning streak going, and because we have been suspect at home this season. That’s my guess, but I may completely wrong.

by 29thWard on Mar 17, 2010 8:35 PM EDT reply actions