Nashville Predators 0, Winnipeg Jets 3 – Penalties doom first half of back-to-back

On the second stop of the post-holiday break, the Nashville Predators (11-19-7) were unable to meet the challenge of one of the best teams in the NHL, the Winnipeg Jets (27-10-1) in a 3-0 defeat. Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves in yet another shutout for the Vezina front-runner, and wasn’t challenged much Monday night.

Nashville was called for five minor penalties – including three by Jeremy Lauzon – including two consecutive infractions late in the game where a too many men call pushed a 1-0 game late in the third to a 5-3, where Gabe Vilardi would score on both penalties to stretch the game to 3-0.

Vinnie Hinestroza, the AHL’s leading scorer and NHL journeyman made his Predators debut, but was limited in time due to ten minutes of penalty killing throughout the contest. Still, the bottom six including both Hinestroza and rookie Zach L’Heureux was responsible many of the Predators’ limited quality chances.

Juuse Saros stopped 25 of 28 and the three goals allowed was not indicative of the Finnish goaltender’s performance. Saros managed to keep the game within 1 for two and a half periods, facing many high quality chances, but the 5 on 3 penalty kill proved too much for the Nashville defense and Saros alike.

The Predators continue the second half of the back to back tomorrow night in St Paul to face former head coach John Hynes and second-place Minnesota Wild.

Three Stars:

Third Star: Jets D Dylan Demelo – 1 goal (GWG)
Second Star: Jets F Gabriel Vilardi – 2 goals (2 PPG)
First Star: Jets G Connor Hellebuyck – 22/22 saves – shutout