Predators 3 - 2 Oilers
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Preds try to keep up offensive surge against Oilers

Jan 23, 2011 - 3:33 PM (Sports Network) - With Pekka Rinne in net, defense isn't often a problem for the Predators. However, Nashville will look to keep up a recent offensive surge this evening as it visits the Edmonton Oilers and Rexall Place.

Rinne has been one of the top goaltenders in the league, posting a solid 2.09 goals-against average and .930 save percentage along side a 16-11-4 record. He has allowed two goals or less in eight of his last nine starts and is 5-1-0 with a 3.37 GAA in his career versus the Oilers.

The netminder has been getting help offensively lately too. Nashville has scored 10 goals over its last two games and has netted four or more goals seven times over its current 9-2-0 run.

The Predators were last in action on Thursday, when they notched a 5-1 win at Colorado. David Legwand and Cody Franson had a goal and an assist each, while Sergei Kostitsyn, Colin Wilson and Matt Halischuk also lit the lamp. Rinne ended with 32 saves in a near shutout.

"I thought we did a really good job defensively tonight," Nashville defenseman Shea Weber said. "Most of the shots were from the outside."

Nashville is six points behind Detroit for first place in the Central Division and is 2-1-0 on a six-game road trip. The Preds' recent run isn't good news for the Oilers, who have lost four straight and are 2-11-2 in their last 15 games.

Edmonton has also dropped six of its last seven at home, including the first two contests of a three-game homestand. Its latest loss came on Thursday, a 4-2 setback to Dallas.

Jeff Petry scored his first NHL goal and Ryan Jones also scored for the Oilers.

"Each game it's more comfortable," Petry said of his first goal. "You just gotta take it day-by-day."

Nikolai Khabibulin turned aside 20 shots in his 10th straight loss. He hasn't won since Dec. 16, posting a 3.78 GAA in seven January starts, and is 13-10-2 with a tie and 2.85 GAA versus the Predators in his career. That could lead to the Oilers starting Devan Dubnyk tonight now that he is recovered from the flu and he has faced the Preds just once before in relief, stopping 13-of-14 shots faced.

Edmonton is last in the West with 35 points.






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