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Tkachuk, Blues escape with overtime win over Predators

Feb 20, 2009 - 5:40 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Nashville Predators rookie goaltender Pekka Rinne was hung out to dry and the St. Louis Blues made sure they took advantage of it.

All-Star Keith Tkachuk scored with 2:08 remaining in overtime as the Blues escaped with a 2-1 victory over the Predators on Thursday.

Andy McDonald also tallied and Chris Mason made 28 saves for St. Louis, which won for the third time in four contests in bouncing back from a 4-3 setback to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.

"The game was back and forth tonight," Mason said. "I thought both teams played really hard. Another game here goes into overtime, and we were fortunate enough to get the winner there. I'm just happy we got the penalty there in overtime, and we buried it right after."

Steve Sullivan scored the lone goal and Rinne was brilliant in stopping 34 shots for the Predators, who have lost three in a row after posting a two-game winning streak.

"They had a lot of shots, and there is a lot of room when it is 4-on-3," Rinne said. "They executed pretty well and made good plays. They have some good shooters, and they did a good job."

Tkachuk secured the triumph by collecting a loose puck in front of the net and tapping it past Rinne just two seconds after a power-play had expired.

"We had the puck and we had possession," Tkachuk said. "We were moving it around, and we got a fortunate bounce. (Rookie T.J.) Oshie made a great play down to McDonald and I was sitting there by myself. I couldn't believe it.

"We needed that win, it was an unbelievable feeling, especially after last night where we gave some points away."

Rinne was constantly tested and shined in overtime, killing off a man-advantage opportunity for the Blues in the wake of Martin Erat being whistled for a hooking penalty at 50 seconds into the extra session.

"Rinne put on a goaltending display there," St. Louis coach Andy Murray said. "It was fantastic. I thought our puck movement was great and we generated a lot of chances."

However, Nashville's defense fizzled in front of the Finnish netminder and it fell to 16-11-2 at home this season.

"I thought Peks was outstanding today," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "He was huge, he was really sharp, he saw the puck, he was big, he was athletic - all those things you love about Peks."

Sullivan opened the scoring midway through the first period just one game after netting two goals - including his first since February 22, 2007.

"We have Sullivan scoring, but we need someone else to contribute since he has been doing all of the scoring the last two games," Trotz said. "It's great for him that he is finally scoring and probably feeling good about himself that way. Now we just have to get the other people to chip in and help him out."

McDonald forged a 1-1 tie with 5:54 remaining in the second.

"It's tough," Nashville All-Star defenseman Shea Weber said. "I feel bad for Pekka because he stood on his head the last half of the year for us. He's going to keep playing well, he's a competitor. We've got to have better for him."