Predators 2 - 1 Blues
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Predators notch another shootout win

Dec 31, 2011 - 5:24 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Martin Erat scored the only goal of the shootout to lift the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.

Matt Halischuk scored in the first period, while Pekka Rinne stopped 35 shots and all five attempts in the shootout for the Predators, who have won their last two -- both shootouts.

"It's a big win and a nice way to finish 2011," said Rinne. "The last couple of games we've been battling hard. Against St. Louis, it's always difficult, but we always seem to rise to the occasion."

T.J. Oshie also had a first-period goal for the Blues, who have dropped two straight and are winless in five shootouts this season. Jaroslav Halak stopped 33 shots in the loss.

"I told the guys we're going through a rough stretch right now," said St. Louis head coach Ken Hitchcock. "I told the guys that they can't get down on themselves. There was a lot of good things we did tonight, but it wasn't enough."

Neither side had a goal through the first four rounds of the shootout while Erat buried a wrist shot high over the glove of Halak. Kevin Shattenkirk was then stopped on a low stuffer by Rinne to end the game.

Nashville scored just 2:16 in when Roman Josi picked up a loose puck at the right circle and pushed it to the net with Halischuk flicking home the rebound for his eighth of the year.

St. Louis tied the game with 6:20 left in the first after Oshie buried a loose puck in the slot.

Rinne stopped 25 shots over the final two periods and overtime while Halak made 20 saves the rest of the way to force the shootout.

Game Notes

Nashville hosts Calgary on New Year's Day...St. Louis plays in Detroit on Saturday...The Predators have won all three games in the series this season.






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