• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Sullivan records natural hat trick as Predators roll

Dec 15, 2006 - 3:55 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Steve Sullivan made up for lost time in a big way.

After missing the last two games with a groin strain, Sullivan recorded a natural hat trick as the Nashville Predators cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Scott Hartnell tallied twice and J.P. Dumont and Paul Kariya had three assists apiece for the Predators, who improved to 5-0-0 against Eastern Conference opponents.

With Nashville already ahead, 3-0, Sullivan - who was in the left faceoff circle - beat goaltender Ray Emery with a one-timer six minutes into the middle session. Midway through the period, Sullivan converted during a power play for his 10th goal of the season, sending the puck over Emery's left shoulder for a 5-0 lead.

Sullivan completed his sixth career hat trick and third as a Predator with 8:06 left in the second off a feed from Dumont, who set up all three tallies. Positioned on the left side, Sullivan received the pass from Dumont and fired a one-timer just inside the right goalpost.

"Some nights you are just in the right place at the right time, it just works that way," Sullivan said. "I just wanted to get out and get my legs underneath me. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't hurt the team."

Sullivan's performance overshadowed the effort of Chris Mason, who made 22 saves en route to his second shutout of the season. Making his 10th consecutive start in place of the injured Tomas Vokoun, Mason stopped four shots in the first period, seven in the second and 11 in the third for his fifth career blanking.

"Everything we did clicked tonight," Mason said. "It's nice to get Sullivan and (Jason) Arnott back and have them not miss a beat."

"We executed really well, we tried some different things on the power-play setups and they just executed," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "I thought our defense played a real solid game. Chris Mason was really good. We capitalized on our chances. We had some nice goals."

Arnott had two assists in his first game since November 20. He had been sidelined with a knee injury.

Prior to Sullivan stealing the show, Hartnell and Kariya were responsible for getting the Predators off to a fast start. On both of Nashville's first two goals, Kariya slid the puck in front of the net before Hartnell guided it in.

"Paul made some great passes to me tonight, and I just had the open net," Hartnell said. "It's not just one or two guys, it is 20 guys playing hard."

Emery allowed all six goals on just 14 shots before being replaced by Martin Gerber, who made 19 saves.

"Giving up the goals was a humbling experience," Emery said. "They had a different power play, and they have some guys that have a lot of patience and made some good plays."

Jason Spezza had his 10-game points streak snapped for Ottawa, which has dropped four of its last five games.