Rinne, Predators host slumping Devils
Pekka Rinne is feeling good. Not surprisingly, the Nashville Predators are winning hockey games.
The Nashville goalie, who was named the NHL's First Star of November after going 9-1-2 with a 1.49 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage, looks to put his team over the .500 mark for the first time since opening night when they host the New Jersey Devils in a Saturday matinee.
November marked the lowest goals-against average and save percentage in any month of Rinne's career, which is saying something considering he's a five-time All-Star. What's more, Rinne's play is quieting critics that popped up after a down season in 2015-16, as well as during a 2-5-1 October.
"We all feel good, we all feel we've come together as a team," he said after Tuesday night's 5-3 win in Colorado. "It's a good feeling in the locker room right now. There's been a few injuries, but we've had guys step in and that's a good sign. We'll need that all season."
Backing up Rinne's point, the Predators (11-8-3) won Tuesday night without top goal-scorer James Neal (upper-body injury), top four defenseman Ryan Ellis (upper-body injury) and center Colton Sissons (upper-body injury). What's more, they lost third-pairing defenseman Anthony Bitetto Tuesday night to a broken hand that will sideline him for six weeks.
But Nashville got a goal and an assist from center Ryan Johansen, who's hit his stride after a slow start offensively, two assists from defenseman Roman Josi and a Gordie Howe hat trick -- goal, assist, fighting major -- from fourth-line forward Austin Watson.
Coach Peter Laviolette was particularly pleased with the effort of Watson, who when playing well is the kind of depth forward every good team needs.
"He was great, he was physical, he was good defensively, his line played really well. He had a big game," Laviolette said of Watson. "Whether it's offensively or defensively, he's been out there just trying to make a difference."
While the Predators shoot for their seventh straight win in Bridgestone Arena, where they're 8-1-1 this season, New Jersey (10-7-6) attempts to avoid a seventh straight road defeat. The Devils fell 4-3 in overtime Thursday night against Chicago despite a hat trick from center Travis Zajac.
New Jersey went toe-to-toe with one of the league's best teams, matching the Blackhawks' 33 shots, winning 55 percent of the faceoffs and out-hitting them 20-14.
"For the most part, we played a game that we are proud of," said Devils left winger Taylor Hall, who returned Thursday night after an eight-game absence. "If we play that way every night, we are going to get points and we are going to get wins."
New Jersey nearly won in overtime, but Mike Cammalleri clanged a point-blank chance off the goal post. Seconds later, Marian Hossa sent the Devils to their fourth consecutive defeat.
While acknowledging he and his teammates played a solid game, Zajac also admitted he'd trade the hat trick for the win.
"It would have been nice if that goes an inch the other way," Zajac said of Cammalleri's shot off the iron, "but that's the way it goes. That's the game of hockey. It's tough not to pick up a second point."