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Ellis records first NHL shutout as Predators top Thrashers

Oct 26, 2007 - 4:15 AM By Jim Diamond PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Dan Ellis made 20 saves to record his first career shutout, leading the Nashville Predators to a 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night.

Jordin Tootoo had a goal and an assist and David Legwand set up a pair of tallies for Nashville, which snapped a six-game losing streak - their longest since 2002 and one shy of the franchise record.

Nashville coach Barry Trotz tried to shake up his lineup by giving Ellis his first start in net as a member of the Predators and first overall since February 8, 2004 while a member of the Dallas Stars.

"I had a little bit of nerves early in the game, but I guess that is natural making my first start in almost four years," Ellis said. "Things went well, our team played great and we got a great result."

Ellis had help from his teammates, as the Predators recorded the first nine shots on goal in the game. Nashville also stifled Atlanta in the third as Ellis did not face his first shot until there were less than 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the period.

"Our defense was outstanding tonight," Ellis said. "You could see the commitment from them blocking shots. It was almost frustrating because I was trying to get a feel for the puck, and they were out there making kick saves in front of me."

Ellis turned aside five shots in the opening session, 12 in the second and three in the third en route to the shutout.

"Danny was really solid tonight," Trotz said. "He made a couple of big key saves when we needed it and he didn't give up any rebounds."

Nashville tallied in each period, with Jerred Smithson opening the scoring at 12:51 of the first.

Legwand sent a wrist shot from above the left faceoff circle that was stopped by netminder Johan Hedberg. The rebound landed between Hedberg's skates, and Smithson was there to stuff the puck home for his first goal of the season, ending a 35-game drought.

"It was a great play by Leggy to put it on the net, and I was just there to tap it in," Smithson said. The goal also snapped the Predators' goalless run at 150 minutes, 27 seconds, a stretch that dated back to October 17 against the Anaheim Ducks.

"Tonight, Jerred Smithson was as solid as anybody on our team," Trotz said. "He really drove the team tonight in a lot of ways with the way he played. He was tremendous."

Nashville doubled its lead on Tootoo's goal at 5:40 of the middle session.

Defenseman Kevin Klein carried the puck into the offensive zone and found Tootoo wide open on the left side. Tootoo one-timed the pass by Hedberg for his second goal of the season.

"Kevin is a pretty skilled D-man, and he made such a great play - it was kind of a layup for me," Tootoo said. "Lately, we haven't been burying our chances, and tonight was a great example of getting to the net hard and being rewarded for it."

Scott Nichol added a empty-netter with 32 seconds remaining in the third to cap the scoring.

Hedberg made 31 saves for the Thrashers, who lost their league-leading eighth game of the season.

"A team with the things that have been happening, we don't get the breaks," Hedberg said. "We were in the game, but we kind of pushed ourselves a little bit too much and things didn't go our way."