Predators even series after outstanding night from Pekka Rinne

The Nashville Predators were able to even the series, 2-2, after an amazing night from Pekka Rinne. Rinne showed out with 32 saves.

The Nashville Predators were able to win a huge game last night to even the series against the Winnipeg Jets. It was a nailbiter as the Jets were able to battle back late and make a late push.

The series now comes back to Nashville for Game 5 on Saturday, which could be great news for the Predators. If the series makes it to seven games, Game Seven will be at Bridgestone Arena.

Peter Laviolette made some lineup changes last night, but they ended up paying off, as the Predators were able to leave Winnipeg with a road win. Laviolette took Kevin Fiala out of the lineup and put Scott Hartnell in there. The Predators were one of the best road teams all year long, so being able to come out of Winnipeg with one win was huge.

That was the Jets first home loss since Feb. 27th, which was also a loss to the Predators. That’s an incredible feat by the Jets but shows how big of a win last night was for the Nashville Predators.

Game Recap

It was a much slower start to this game than Game Three. The Predators were able to get on the board first on a goal from Ryan Hartman, his second of the playoffs. Hartman was able to find the puck as it was being thrown around by both Jets and Predators players and got it by Connor Hellebuyck for the first goal of the game.

The second period was much like the first, as both teams were able to get a few chances but couldn’t capitalize, that is until the Predators were able to draw a penalty on the Jets. The powerplay was able to pass the puck around as they found P.K. Subban near the top of the blue line and he fired an absolute laser as it snuck past Hellebuyck.

Subban scored yet another powerplay goal for the Predators, his third of the series. Viktor Arvidsson was able to help screen Hellebuyck with his signature jump move.

Both teams traded blows during the third period but both goalies never let up. The Jets were finally able to get on the board with just 51 seconds left in the game on a powerplay goal. Patrick Laine was able to sneak one past Rinne.

That was all Rinne allowed as he looked amazing, making 32 saves on 33 shots for a save percentage of .970.

Thoughts on the Game

This was a huge game for the Predators as they are able to come back to Nashville with the series tied, instead of being down 3-1. The Predators now have the possibility of having two more home games during this series.

Rinne showed out all night long for the Predators and almost nearly had a shutout. Where are all those people calling for a goaltender change? I don’t hear anything now. Rinne showed that he is in there to stay, as he made a crazy save to keep the Predators in the game.

Rinne was able to get his knob on the puck, stopping what would’ve been a Jets goal.

At first, I questioned the change by Laviolette, as he took out Fiala, who had scored two goals in this series, and stuck veteran Hartnell into the lineup. It ended up paying off though, as Hartnell was able to get some scoring chances early for the second line.

Game Five will be huge for the Predators. Not only is it a home game, but they have a chance to capture a series lead for the first time in the series.

Up Next

Game Five is on Saturday at 8:30 Central. The game will be on NBCSN yet again.