Ohhhh…Let’s dance on Aunt Dottie’s davenport! The Preds go marchin’ in to St. Louiee and take a 2-0 win over the first place Blosers to inch ever closer to the top of the Central Division. Led by Pekka Rinne, who is off to the best start of his illustrious career, the Men in Gold put on a defensive clinic to help #35 post his second goose-egg of the season. The 45th shutout of his career now gives him the most of any Finnish goalie in history, passing his hero, Miikka Kiprusoff in a hundred fewer games played so far. Pekks should also surpass him in career wins (319) sometime in 2018 (he has 282 now).
The Boozers, who had scored 8 times in their last outing, were completely thwarted by a swarming Sabre Cat D that featured timely stick work, blocking passing lanes, and swatting most rebounds out of harm’s way. The Ecks-Factor was particularly evident hassling their top line throughout the night.
The only offense that was needed came primarily from Joey, with an early lamp-lighting slap shot on a perfect feed to the right circle from Scoresberg. And then, with time running down and the Blue Boy’s goalie pulled, RJ battled for a loose puck through center ice, nudged it forward to a streaking Austin 3:16, who backhanded it 50 feet into the yawning cage for the nail in the coffin. With that goal and helper, Johansen now has 9 points in his last 6 games. Additionally he was +2, and a monstrous 82% successful on the face-off dot. Subban also earned his team leading 14th assist on that opening tally.
So, the Smashcats 4th win in a row, and 9th in their last 10, gives them a 14-6-2 record good for 30 points. They are still in 3rd place in the Central (Winnipeg just one point ahead), but 3rd overall in the Western Conference, and 6th best in the whole league. It’s on to Carolina for a noon time matinee Sunday before returning to the friendly confines next Tuesday vs. the Blackholes. Let’s go Preds!