Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Recap: Anaheim vs. Nashville

Jonas Hiller stopped all 40 shots he faced to pick up his fifth career shutout, as the Anaheim Ducks handled the Nashville Predators, 4-0, at Honda Center.

Hiller collected his first shutout of the season for the Ducks, who had a 1-5-1 record in their previous seven games. Teemu Selanne scored a pair of goals. Bobby Ryan and Todd Marchant each lit the lamp for Anaheim, which improved to 3-6-0 as the host this season.

"We played pretty solid defensively. I gave up a couple of rebounds, but our defensemen were doing a great job tonight clearing those. I'm definitely happy about the win. If we play the way we did tonight, we'll always have a chance to win," Hiller said.

Pekka Rinne turned aside 27-of-31 shots for the Predators, who had a three- game winning streak snapped.

"I thought after two periods, we were the better of the two teams. We couldn't capitalize on our power play chances. The second goal really ripped us open, those back to back goals. It's tough to swallow a little bit sometimes," Nashville head coach Barry Trotz said.

Selanne got the Ducks offense going with a power-play goal at the 15:32 mark of the first period. Ryan Getzlaf controlled the puck at the point and skated to the bottom of the left circle before backhanding a pass to Selanne, whose wrister beat Rinne.

Hiller made 11 saves and Rinne stopped seven shots during a scoreless second frame.

Selanne's second score of the contest put Anaheim ahead 2-0 at the 8:05 mark of the third. Saku Koivu controlled the disc at the right circle and backhanded a pass to Selanne, whose slapper found the back of the net.

The Ducks used a Marchant goal at the 9:51 mark to build a three-goal margin. Petteri Nokelainen got the play going when he forced the Predators to turn the puck over behind their own net. Nokelainen skated out from behind the goal before sliding a pass to an open Marchant, who lit the lamp with a slapper.

Ryan scored with 2:20 remaining to account for the final score, while Hiller made 16 saves during the final 20 minutes.

"We have to start building the confidence from little things. This team can play way better than we did. The good thing is we found a way to win the game and that is all that really matters. Jonas gave us a chance to win and the special teams were good," Selanne said.

Game Notes