• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mason helps Predators continue dominance of Blue Jackets

Jan 19, 2007 - 7:24 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Different day, same result against the Nashville Predators for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Paul Kariya and David Legwand each had a goal and an assist and Chris Mason made 33 saves as the Predators remained perfect against the Blue Jackets this season with a 4-0 victory.

Meeting Columbus for the third time in seven days, Nashville took an early lead and never looked back as Mason turned aside 15 shots in the first period and nine in each of the final two sessions en route to his fifth shutout of the season and eighth career.

"Honestly, I just wanted to win, and that's all that mattered," Mason said. "I'm extremely happy and grateful at how things have turned out."

Mason received all the support he needed from Legwand, who scored his 15th goal of the season at 4:07 of the opening session. It was the fourth game-winner of the season for Legwand and second in three games.

"(Legwand) was really good at both ends of the ice," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "He got things going by scoring our first goal. He really was a dynamic player tonight."

Steve Sullivan tallied later in the period, Kariya cashed in during a power play in the second and Martin Erat capped the scoring midway through the third for the Predators, who improved to 6-0-0 against the Blue Jackets this campaign.

"Since we've beaten them all year, I'm sure they were pretty hungry tonight," Nashville captain Kimmo Timonen said. "We showed patience tonight and Mase played pretty well."

"They just outwork us, it's pretty plain and simple," Blue Jackets All-Star Rick Nash said. "They stick to their game plan, and we kind of wander off and don't work. ... We had tons of chances and lots of shots, but we're just not outworking them."

Ty Conklin made 22 saves for Columbus, which has lost eight of its last 11 games.

"They capitalized on their chances, and we didn't," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Their top players ended up scoring the goals for them, and that gave them the victory. ... When you play against a team like Nashville, your best players have to be your best players. That sets the tone."

After having its six-game winning streak halted by Detroit on Wednesday, Nashville got on the board early in this one. Legwand gained control of the puck behind the net and muscled his way to the right goalpost before stuffing it past Conklin for a 1-0 lead.

"We wanted to bounce back after last night and go from there," Legwand said. "The goalie was looking the other way and I tucked it in on the short side. He wasn't ready for it, so it was nice to get that one."

Sullivan doubled the advantage with 6:42 to go in the first, converting a backhand pass by Jason Arnott from behind the net while alone on the doorstep for his 15th tally.

Kariya made it 3-0 at 10:11 of the second, beating Conklin with a one-timer from the right faceoff circle off a cross-slot pass from defenseman Marek Zidlicky.

"We didn't play a great game in Detroit," Kariya said. "It was great to have a really solid win tonight. I thought we played really solid 5-on-5 and made up for last night's game."

Erat completed the scoring at 9:56 of the third, walking out of the right corner to the faceoff circle before unleashing a wrister that eluded Conklin.