Nashville Predators: Three best games during current winning streak
#2 – Rinne’s 300th Win in rout of San Jose
Not only did the Predators dismantle the San Jose Sharks this night, Rinne also secured his 300th career win. Rinne was just the 34th goalie in NHL history to reach this feat.
The Predators dominated this game from the start, with Nick Bonino scoring just two minutes into the game. Scott Hartnell then added a late goal to put the Predators up 2-0 at the end of the 1st period.
Logan Couture of the Sharks was able to cut the lead in half on an odd angle goal in the 2nd period, but that was all the Sharks were able to get on the board during the night. Fiala scored later in the period to increase the lead to two goals.
The Predators absolutely dominated the 3rd period, scoring four goals. Viktor Arvidsson scored a powerplay goal early in the period to put the Predators up 4-1. Ryan Johansen, Mattias Ekholm, and Calle Jarnkrok also joined in on the goal scoring, as the Predators completely dominated and came out on top, 7-1.
You could tell from the start that the Predators wouldn’t lose this game on a historic night for Rinne. Rinne has meant so much to the Predators franchise since he was drafted in 2004, and for the Predators to go out and win this game for Rinne in that fashion was perfect.
Being named the number one star of the night after securing his 300th NHL win, #Preds Pekka Rinne displays some raw emotional in his chat with @KaraHammer down at Nashville's bench postgame. What a guy! pic.twitter.com/TUVJsK8g0D
— Bally Sports: Preds (@PredsOnBally) February 23, 2018
In a picture-perfect ending to Rinne’s historic night, he was also selected as the 1st Star of the Night, as he came away with 33 saves and a save percentage of .971.