PREDATORS 3, RED WINGS 2: Andrei Kostitsyn scored two power-play goals – both set up by his brother Sergei – as host Nashville pulled to within four points of fourth-place Detroit in the Western Conference standings by downing its Central Division foe.
With the Predators nursing a 2-1 lead, Andrei Kostitsyn secured the win at 4:34 of the third period with his 15th goal. He received a cross-crease pass from his brother and beat Joey MacDonald.
Justin Abdelkader scored a late goal for Detroit but a comeback fell short as Pekka Rinne made 35 saves – 17 in pressure-packed third period - for his league-leading 38th win.
Patric Hornqvist scored his 21st goal of the season by finishing a 2-on-1 rush with David Legwand for the game’s first goal at 7:30 of the opening period.
With a feed to the top of the crease, Andrei Kostitsyn made it 2-1 for the Predators midway through the first period.
Just 13 seconds after Hornqvist scored, Drew Miller leveled the contest at 1-1.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hornqvist’s goal was the first of his career against Detroit. ... Nashville improved to 12-1-2 in its last 15 home games. ... Held without a point, Henrik Zetterberg has still collected nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points in his last 17 games. ... Legwand had three assists for Nashville.
Detroit | Nashville | |
Justin Abdelkader 1 | Points | David Legwand 3 |
Justin Abdelkader 1 | Goals | Andrei Kostitsyn 2 |
Daniel Cleary 1 | Assists | David Legwand 3 |
N/A | Power Play Goals | Andrei Kostitsyn 2 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Joey MacDonald .850 | Save Percentage | Pekka Rinne .946 |
Joey MacDonald 17 | Saves | Pekka Rinne 35 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Detroit | 37 | 2 | 0-4 | 2-4 | 8 | 32 |
Nashville | 20 | 3 | 2-4 | 4-4 | 8 | 34 |