STATS     GAME REPORTS Game Summary Event Summary Faceoffs Report Full Play-by-Play

Print

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz has repeatedly implored his players to shoot the puck more often this season.

The message finally got through Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild. The Predators kept Minnesota goaltender Dwayne Roloson busy with 46 shots, including 17 in the third period, on the way to a 2-1 victory.

"I always encourage our players to shoot," Trotz said. "I just don't want them to get too fancy. I thought this was one of the most complete games we have played all year. We stayed very diligent. We stayed on the puck. We were very good on faceoffs. And we got a lot of scoring chances."

Adam Hall and Jerred Smithson each scored a goal for the Predators, with Smithson's first-ever NHL goal proving to be the winner. Smithson, recalled from Milwaukee nine games ago, is one of several new faces contributing on the team as the Predators deal with injury problems.

"We got a great performance from Smithson," Trotz said. "His is sort of the black-and-blue line. Smithson deserves his first NHL goal. I'm proud of him for that."

The Predators took a 1-0 lead about 7 1/2 minutes into the game when Hall put the puck under the outstretched leg pads of Roloson for a power-play goal.

The Predators have scored at least one power-play goal in each of their last nine games.

Minnesota tied the game with 3:10 left in the period with another power-play goal. Kurtis Foster took a slap shot from the left point that went by Tomas Vokoun's glove.

Smithson scored the deciding goal with about 13 minutes left in the second. He put a wrist shot between Roloson's leg pads to make it 2-1.

"It was kind of a rebound shot," Smithson said. "I was just crashing the net. I'm usually not known for scoring goals. It's nice to contribute on faceoffs and on the penalty kill, but scoring a goal feels pretty good."

Vokoun saved 19 shots for the win, but it was Roloson's effort that earned praise following the game.

"Dwayne made some great saves," Minnesota coach Jacque Lemaire said. "We were playing a team that is good with the puck. Nashville is a team with a lot of energy. It is a team that is good around the puck. Dwayne kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win."

Notes: Greg Zanon had one assist and three penalties in his NHL debut. He was called up earlier in the day to replace Jamie Allison, who has left the Predators for a few days for personal reasons. ... The Wild have scored at least one power-play goal in each of their last eight games. ... Pascal Dupuis, who had an assist on Foster's goal, has five points in his last four games.