Ducks 5, Predators 1: Kyle Palmieri recorded the NHL's first natural hat trick of the season and Corey Perry and captain Ryan Getzlaf assisted on all three goals as Anaheim breezed to its seventh consecutive home victory.
Viktor Fasth rebounded after suffering his first loss to turn aside 20 shots for the Ducks, who have defeated the Predators in all three meetings in 2013.
After Nick Bonino opened the scoring 2:48 into the contest, Palmieri doubled the advantage 61 seconds later. The former first-round pick accepted Perry's lead pass and fended off Nashville captain Shea Weber before beating Pekka Rinne to the far post.
Palmieri gave Anaheim a 3-0 lead when he one-timed Perry's centering feed past Rinne. He completed his impressive performance just 67 seconds into the middle period by converting Perry's cross-slot pass for his first career hat trick.
Craig Smith scored and Rinne yielded five goals on 21 shots over two periods. Chris Mason stopped all seven shots he faced in the third for the Predators, who fell to 0-3-1 in their last four road contests.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Palmieri's natural hat trick was the sixth in Ducks' history - with Andrew Cogliano registering the most recent one against Phoenix on Jan. 31, 2012. ... Perry has collected four goals and seven assists during his six-game point streak. The 2010-11 Hart Trophy winner has tormented the Predators this season by also delivering the fatal blow in both shootout victories. ... Anaheim's lone loss at the Honda Center this season was a 5-0 setback to Vancouver on Jan. 25.
Nashville | Anaheim | |
Craig Smith 1 | Points | Kyle Palmieri 3 |
Craig Smith 1 | Goals | Kyle Palmieri 3 |
Richard Clune 1 | Assists | Ryan Getzlaf 3 |
N/A | Power Play Goals | Kyle Palmieri 1 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Chris Mason 1.000 | Save Percentage | Viktor Fasth .952 |
Pekka Rinne 16 | Saves | Viktor Fasth 20 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Nashville | 21 | 1 | 0-2 | 1-3 | 13 | 35 |
Anaheim | 28 | 5 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 11 | 23 |