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HomeSportsNashville Predators snap losing streak to defeat Ottawa Senators 3-1

Nashville Predators snap losing streak to defeat Ottawa Senators 3-1

Nashville PredatorsNashville, TN – The Nashville Predators recovered from a disastrous Canadian road trip to defeat the Ottawa Senators at the Bridgestone Arena, 3-1.

The win in front of a noisy “Smashville” home crowd, was a much needed shot in the arm following two losses last week to Vancouver and Calgary.  The injury plagued Predators have been finding ways to win without P.K Subban, Viktor Arvidsson and Kyle Turris, all on the injury list.

Ottawa scored first, just twenty six seconds into the contest on a mishandled shot by Pekka Rinne.  Zack Smith’s backhand skipped over the outstretched glove of Rinne for the early 1-0 Ottawa lead.

 Ottawa Senators left wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) has a shot blocked by Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
Ottawa Senators left wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) has a shot blocked by Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

As the crowd was recovering from such an inauspicious start, the Predators started to turn up the heat.  Austin Watson evened the score at 15:38 of the opening frame with a redirected shot from the slot and the game was tied at 1-1.

The energy picked up in the second period for the Predators who stepped up their offensive pressure.  Ryan Ellis would give Nashville the winning goal at 9:01 with a one timer from the slot, and the score was 2-1. 

It was all the Predators would need, but they weren’t done.

Craig Smith looked like he was shot out of a cannon when he took the puck to the net, skating around Ottawa defenseman, Maxime Lajoie, scoring his 9th goal of the season and giving Nashville their final score, 3-1.

Pekka Rinne looked solid in goal for the Predators tonight, with 25 saves. 

Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson made 33 saves in a losing effort.

Nashville will host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night, hoping to avenge the loss they suffered last week in Canada.  Puck drops at 7pm at Bridgestone Arena. 

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