Stars 0 - 2 Predators
Final
  for this game

Preds move into 4th, knock out Dallas

Apr 6, 2012 - 5:29 AM Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Pekka Rinne made 28 saves to record his fifth shutout of the season, as the playoff-bound Nashville Predators eliminated the Dallas Stars from playoff contention with a 2-0 victory.

Patric Hornqvist had a goal and an assist for the Predators, who have 102 points and sit one point ahead of Detroit for the fourth spot in the Western Conference. The Red Wings lost to the Devils on Thursday.

"It felt good out there tonight," said Rinne. "The guys made it pretty easy for me. The first two periods I really didn't have to do much at all."

Francis Bouillon also lit the lamp for Nashville, which wraps up the regular season Saturday at Colorado. Detroit plays Chicago on the same day.

Kari Lehtonen made 29 saves for the Stars, who have lost four in a row. Dallas ends the season at home against the Blues on Saturday.

"It's tough because obviously we're out and it's never fun again," said Dallas forward Steve Ott. "It's the worst feeling for a professional hockey player."

Bouillon broke a scoreless tie 4:28 into the third period. Hornqvist made his way around the net and fired a shot on goal. The rebound went to Bouillon, who chipped the disc past Lehtonen.

Hornqvist jammed home a rebound with two minutes remaining to make it a 2-0 contest.

Rinne made 12 saves in the final frame to secure the 25th shutout in his career.

Game Notes

Nashville and Dallas split four meetings this season...Stars forward Radek Dvorak returned to the lineup after missing five games with a sprained ankle...Dallas went 0-for-4 on the power play and is mired in a 1-for-25 slump on the man advantage...The Stars went 20-19-2 as the guest this year, while Nashville went 26-10-5 at home this season.






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