Preds Continue Mastery Over Blues With 4-3 Win

GOAL SCORERS:
NSH: Goc, M. (05:04 in 1st), Hornqvist, P. (12:43 in 1st), Ward, J. (PPG, 04:09 in 2nd), Dumont, J. (05:16 in 3rd)
STL: Colaiacovo, C. (01:29 in 1st), Steen, A. (09:08 in 3rd), McDonald, A. (PPG, 12:30 in 3rd)
GOALIES:
NSH: P. Rinne (W) STL: C. Mason (L)

The Nashville Predators beat the St Louis Blues for the 24th time in the teams last 33 games going back to the 2005-06 season. Now if only the Preds could spread some of that mojo to other teams in the NHL, they might do a little better. Not that they should be complaining too loudly as they now sit solidly in 2nd place in the Central Division, six points back of the mighty Chicago Blackhawks.

The Predators jumped out to a 4-1 lead in this game before allowing 2 late goals by the Blues to make it look closer than it actually was. Defenseman Shea Weber led the way with seven shots on St Louis netminder Chris Mason, while adding 3 assists. Nashville center Marcel Goc also had a goal and an assist in the victory which snapped a 3 game losing streak for the Predators. The Blues lost for the third straight time.

Nashville will be playing the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Thursday, while the Blues host the Vancouver Canucks also on Thursday.

Ryan's 3 Points Lead Ducks To 4-2 Win Over Wild

GOAL SCORERS:
MIN: Miettinen, A. (15:41 in 1st), Johnsson, K. (PPG, 13:07 in 3rd)
ANA: Ryan, B. (07:08 in 1st), Sexton, D. (16:16 in 1st), Ryan, B. (PPG, 18:44 in 2nd), Marchant, T. (EN, 19:50 in 3rd)
GOALIES:
MIN: J. Harding (L) ANA: J. Hiller (W)

Anaheim Ducks right winger Bobby Ryan stepped up in the absence of Ryan Getzlaf, netting 2 goals and adding an assist as his Ducks beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2. The Ducks, who are still in the basement of the Pacific Division, have now gone 6-3-1 in their last ten, and are clawing their way into respectability.

Ryan's second goal of the game was the eventual game winner and his 19th this year. He is also closing in on his own career high for goals, having scored 31 in 64 games last year, his second in the NHL. That second goal was Ryan's 100th career point in the National Hockey League.

Minnesota's Kim Johnsson got the Wild to within one goal at 13:07 of the 3rd, but Todd Marchant's shorthanded, empty net goal with 10 seconds left in regulation closed out the scoring.

On a side note: Saku Koivu and his younger brother Mikko played against each other, with both brothers getting a pair of assists each in the latest battle between the brothers Koivu.

Coyotes Get 10th Straight Home Win Beating Canucks 2-1

GOAL SCORERS:
VAN: Samuelsson, M. (10:49 in 2nd), Wellwood, K. (13:48 in 3rd)
PHX: Jovanovski, E. (PPG, 10:00 in 2nd), Prucha, P. (17:02 in 2nd)
SHOOTOUT:
Radim Vrbata PHX Save
Kyle Wellwood VAN Miss
Peter Mueller PHX Miss
Mason Raymond VAN Miss
Lauri Korpikoski PHX Goal
Mikael Samuelsson VAN Save
GOALIES:
VAN: R. Luongo (L) PHX: J. LaBarbera (W)

The Phoenix Coyotes are for real this year! They beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in a shoot out victory giving the Coyotes a team record for most consecutive home ice wins with ten. Last year's backup to Canucks' star goalie Roberto Luongo, Jason LaBarbera, got his 3rd victory in 7 starts this year.

The first period was scoreless, but former Canucks defenseman Ed Jovanovski got his 7th of the year at 10 minutes of the 2nd period, but the lead was shortlived as Mikael Samuelsson scored 49 seconds later. Late in the 2nd, Coyotes right winger Petr Prucha gave Phoenix the lead again on a shot that beat Luongo.

Kyle Wellwood tied it beating LaBarbera at 13:48 of the 3rd forcing overtime, where neither team could end it. Phoenix left winger Lauri Korpikoski was the only player to beat either Luongo or LaBarbera in the shootout giving the Coyotes the win, moving them a mere 2 points back of the high flying San Jose Sharks for the lead in the Pacific Division. Vancouver remains tied with the Calgary Flames at 47 points each, trailing the Colorado Avalanche by three for the lead in the Northwest Division.