Forget style points, all Jason Arnott cared about was that his Predators got the two points.
Arnott snapped a tie in the third period, Pekka Rinne made 30 saves for his first career shutout and Nashville beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 Monday night.
With both teams looking weary — the Sabres were playing their fourth game in six nights while Nashville played for the third time in four — and play being lethargic at times, especially in the first two periods, Arnott knew an ugly goal could be the difference in a dreary game.
He was right, as his chip-in from the front of the goal wound up going over Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller’s shoulder and into the net 8 minutes into a scoreless third.
It was Arnott’s team-leading 13th goal of the season, and prevented the possibility of Nashville playing in its second 1-0 shootout game in a week.
“That was one of the goals that was going to do it,” Arnott said. “It just wasn’t happening for both ends. There was a lot of defensive plays.”
And a lot of steady goaltending from the 26-year-old Rinne, who was making just his ninth overall career appearance, but second start in the last three games. Rinne didn’t have to make any spectacular saves, but he made two key stops during the final 1:50 while Miller was pulled for the extra attacker.
“I’ve played in a lot of tight games, so this was pretty normal,” said Rinne, who improved to 4-0 this season and 5-1 in his career. “There wasn’t any extra pressure on me. I just had to do my own job.”
J.P. Dumont also scored and had an assist for the Predators (12-10-2), who won for the third time in five games.
“That’s definitely the type of game we have to play on the road,” Dumont said. “We worked hard for our goals, so it was a big win.”
The Predators were also able to bounce back from a miserable 6-2 home loss to Minnesota on Saturday, a game in which they allowed five power-play goals. On Monday, they were whistled for only two penalties, and were able to easily kill both off.
“We really made (that) an emphasis because we weren’t very disciplined at home and it cost us a hockey game,” coach Barry Trotz said. “I like the way our guys responded. It says a lot about our team.”
Miller made 25 saves for the Sabres (11-10-3), who lost their second straight. Miller also had his personal three-game winning streak stopped.
“There wasn’t much going on in that game,” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. “It was a turnover-fest. It was frustrating ... really frustrating.”
The Sabres played without captain Craig Rivet, who was scratched just hours before gametime because of an upper body injury. But Buffalo did get forward Ales Kotalik back after he missed seven games because of a hamstring injury.
Rivet was hurt in Buffalo’s loss to Montreal on Saturday, and is day to day.
Dumont upped the advantage to 2-0 with his fifth of the season 2 1/2 minutes after Arnott scored, tapping in the puck while diving to his left after Miller stopped Shea Weber’s initial shot.
“We didn’t generate much offensively,” Buffalo forward Jason Pominville said. “The only time we did was with about five or six minutes left. I don’t think we challenged (Rinne) enough to get a feel for him.”
Notes: The Predators lost to St. Louis in a 1-0 shootout on Nov. 25. ... Predators C David Legwand played in his 573th game with the Predators, tying Kimmo Timonen for the most in team history. ... The Sabres were 2-3 during a stretch in which they played five of six at home. ... Dumont played five seasons for the Sabres, and now has four points in seven games against them.
Sabres
Related Photos
-
David Duprey
SABRES: Rinne gets first shutout Nashville’s victory over Buffalo
- Sabres
-
-
Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
-
Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
-
Rangers top Sabres in a shootout
Henrik Lundqvist came out on top in a duel of goalies, stopping 34 shots through overtime and four of five in a shootout in the New York Rangers’ 1-0 win over Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
-
Gaustad leads visiting Sabres to 3-1 win over Canadiens
Paul Gaustad had a goal and two assists to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
-
Chara opens All-Star draft by picking Datsyuk
Daniel Alfredsson stuck close to home — both his native Sweden and his adopted home of Ottawa — in making his selections in the NHL All-Star draft on Thursday night.
-
Sabres snap 12-game road skid
Jason Pominvile and Nathan Gerbe scored in a shootout and Ryan Miller made 27 saves as the Buffalo Sabres snapped a 12-game losing streak on the road with a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
-
Losipeg
Ondrej Pavelec made 25 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat Buffalo 4-1 on Thursday night, extending the Sabres’ franchise-record road losing streak to 11 games.
-
Blackhawks blow out Sabres, 6-2
Jonathan Toews had two goals, rookies Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes also scored, and the Chicago Blackhawks handed the Buffalo Sabres their 10th straight road loss, 6-2 on Wednesday night.
-
Rough Road
Home ice has never been more of an advantage to the Red Wings than it has over the last 2 1-2 months.
-
Leafs overturned
Jason Pominville scored the go-ahead goal with 5:47 left in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres held on for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
- More Sabres Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
