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Predators blank Blue Jackets for fourth straight win

Jan 13, 2007 - 5:07 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Nashville Predators finally relied on someone other than Steve Sullivan to score a game-winning goal.

Jason Arnott claimed the honor and Tomas Vokoun made 22 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Predators extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Sullivan had netted the winning tally in each of Nashville's previous three wins but was kept off the scoresheet in this one. However, someone just as hot filled in as Arnott scored his fifth goal in as many games in the first period to give the Predators all the offense they needed.

"We played more disciplined tonight," Arnott said. "They were in our zone a lot, but we didn't give them much. We kept them to the outside. It was a big win for us, and Vokey played unbelievably."

Defenseman Shea Weber, who helped set up Arnott's tally, added insurance midway through the second period for Vokoun, who stopped 10 shots in the first period, five in the second and seven in the third for his 18th career blanking and second straight win since returning from a thumb injury.

"With Tomas coming back after being out for so long, we want to be good in front of him, minimize the great scoring chances and minimize the second chances," Sullivan said. "It's great for Tomas to get the shutout in just his second game back. He made some outstanding saves. We're going to need him down the stretch."

"Tomas was seeing the puck tonight," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "He looked comfortable in the net, where last game he didn't really look comfortable. Tomas made some key saves when we needed them."

J.P. Dumont recorded an assist for the Predators, who improved to 4-0-0 against the Blue Jackets this season and 12-3-1 vs. Central Division rivals.

"I'm so happy the team is playing the way it is playing," Vokoun said. "I think the guys realize that we are a good team, and if we want to achieve special things, we need to play in a special way."

Fredrik Norrena also turned aside 22 shots for Columbus, which dropped its third straight game and fell to 4-13-1 all-time at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.

"I thought we played well, they just had a couple of bounces that went their way tonight," Norrena said. "Hopefully, some of those bounces will go our way the next time."

The teams meet again Saturday at Nationwide Arena, the second of three matchups between the clubs in a seven-day span.

"They're a good team, but we've had good games against them all year," Weber said. "We can't take them lightly, and we have to make sure that we're ready tomorrow."

After Weber dumped the puck into Columbus' zone, Dumont tracked it down behind the net and made a backhand pass to Arnott, who fired it past Norrena from in front with 6:52 to go in the first period.

"I don't know what it hit (behind the net), it hit the partition or something," Arnott said. "J.P. made a great pass. It's hard to get a good celebration after that one. I'm glad it went our way."

Weber doubled the lead at 9:11 of the second, beating Norrena low to the glove side with a weak wrist shot from the right point.

"I just tried to get it through to the net and it found its way in," Weber said. "It's a little bit of luck. Anytime you can get one like that, you'll take it. It was a good job by (Scott Hartnell) of setting the screen in front. I guess Norrena lost sight of it."