The Predators have seen their share of shootouts throughout the years, but tackling a shootout two games in a row? With a goalie like Pekka Rinne, a shootout against the Predators will definitely make you sweat a little. The Predators won both their shootout games 2-1 against both the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night and against the St. Louis Blues on Friday night. A win in regulation is always better, but hey, it’s ALWAYS better to win in OT/SO than to lose in regulation. Here are the highlights of both these nail-biting games:

W I L D :

•  Shea Weber, who suffered a concussion during the Dallas Stars game, was still missing from action against the Wild Wednesday night. Gabriel Bourque was called up from Milwaukee to play in his first NHL career game.
• Kevin Klein and Brian McGrattan were both scratched; Klein still suffering from the flu, McGrattan a healthy scratch.
• Neither team scored a goal until the third, with a tip from Jordin Tootoo at 7:00. He was assisted by both Jonathon Blum and Francis Bouillon.
• The Wild returned the play and scored to tie the game at 16:01, eventually sending the game into overtime. When the overtime yielded no goals, the game fell into a shootout.
• The Wild failed on their three shots, but Colin Wilson was able to seal the game for the Predators, slipping it passed Wild goalie, Josh Harding.
• Pekka had an outstanding game, stopping 34 of 35 shots on goal. The Predators only had ten less shots than the Wild at 25.
• This game was the 10th sold out game of the season for the Predators, 5th home game in a row.
• The Wild had more penalties than the Predators, but neither team was able to use them to their advantage. Here were the Predators who sat in timeout:

1.  Jerred Smithson – 6:41 2nd Period – Hooking
2. Jordin Tootoo – 16:30 3rd Period – Unsportsmanlike Conduct

 

B L U E S :

• Both Weber and Klein were missing from the game in St. Louis.
• Matt Halischuk was quick to put the Predators on the board at 2:16 in the first period. He was assisted by rookie Roman Josi.
• At 13:40 in the first, the Blues tied the game with a goal from T.J. Oshie.
• Before Oshie’s goal, it seemed as if the Predators had put the game up 2-0 with a goal from David Legwand, but his goal was waved off due to a “distinct kicking motion”.
• Although he lost his stick three times throughout the game, Pekka was able to block 35 of 36 shots on goal from the Blues.
• Neither the Blues or the Predators were able to score after the first period, thus throwing the game into overtime. With no goal in overtime by either team, the game was forced into a shootout.
• With unsuccessful goals from Fisher, Smith, Leggy, and Halischuk, it wasn’t until Martin Erat sealed the game for the Predators after five rounds.
• The Predators only had 34 shots on goal compared to the Blues’ 36, and also gave the Blues more penalty chances. Luckily, the Predators were able to keep the Blues from capitalizing on the power plays. Here are the Preds who took some nasty penalties:

1. Brian McGrattan – 14:28 1st Period – Boarding
2. Roman Josi – 12:17 2nd Period – Hi-Sticking
3. Roman Josi – 16:02 2nd Period – Boarding
4. Jonathon Blum – 12:47 3rd Period – Hooking

 

Although it took five rounds for the Predators to finally seal the game in their name against the Blues, the Predators have recently faired well with their shootouts. Again, with Pekka being on his game and being the reason the Preds signed him for the next seven years, it’s easy to see why the Predators would be awesome at shootouts (as long as those shooting can hit the net).

GO PREDS.