Jets vs. Predators, Game 4: Full highlights, final score and more

On Thursday night, the Nashville Predators evened up their series against the Winnipeg Jets. Here are the full highlights, final score and more.

On Thursday night, the Nashville Predators made a major statement. Facing intense scrutiny from critics for less than favorable performances in previous matchups, Peter Laviolette’s men emerged victorious, defeating the Winnipeg Jets by a final score of 2-1.

The first period was a battle of heavyweight goaltending, in that both Pekka Rinne and Connor Hellebuyck showed the hockey world the reasons as to why they are favorites for the Vezina Trophy. A beauty of a highlight came midway through the period when Rinne made a desperation save for the ages, as he robbed Josh Morrissey with the knob of his stick. Each respective goaltender demonstrated an overarching sense of calmness, but with 2:40 to go, the Predators’ Ryan Hartman banged home a loose puck that allowed his team to secure a 1-0 lead.

Although Nashville returned from the first intermission with a relatively strong penalty kill, their offense was a non-factor for much of the second period. With 7:18 to go, the Jets had recorded nine shots while the Predators had taken just two. A power play goal from P.K. Subban ultimately shifted the momentum in Nashville’s favor, as a blast from the point — coupled with a screen from Viktor Arvidsson — was the central avenue through which the Predators ushered forth a fairly stable lead.

The third period was a defensive battle, as the Predators sought to extend their lead, while the Jets tried to crack holes in it. A late penalty from Subban sent Winnipeg to a power play with just minutes to go. As clutch as ever, Patrik Laine went five hole and finally solved Rinne.

But it was too little too late. The Predators snatched a timely victory from the jaws of defeat and evened up series.

Three Stars

3. Connor Hellebuyck

His team was on the losing end, but Hellebuyck’s performance was a memorable one. He stopped many dangerous rushes and provided some solid saves when his defenders were beaten by the Predators’ relentless forecheck. It was not the result that the Jets wanted, but Paul Maurice’s faith in his goaltender will continue to remain strong heading into Saturday’s matchup.

2. P.K. Subban

Every time Subban touched the puck, he was booed relentlessly. It’s somewhat expected, as he’s a player that hockey fans either greatly admire or love to hate. Nevertheless, Thursday’s game was one in which the Norris Trophy nominee demonstrated poise, confidence and an admirable degree of finesse, as his steady play allowed the Predators to marry offensive smarts with defensive responsibility. Subban’s game-winning-goal could not have arrived at a better time, in that it provided the Predators with some much needed confidence after a lull in the team’s play. There’s little doubt that his late penalty could have been costly, but a win is a win.

1. Pekka Rinne

Ever since Nashville’s 7-4 loss on Tuesday night, the talk circuit of the hockey world has relentlessly questioned Laviolette’s decision to start Rinne. Some even suggested that the Predators’ backup, Juuse Saros, ought to be given a shot at the No. 1 position. Thursday’s game, however, was nothing short of a statement from the Vezina nominee.  From a first period save with the knob of his stick to some tough minutes logged in the third period, Rinne’s performance was one for the ages, as he aimed to silence critics of previous subpar performances.

With a massive victory, the momentum has inevitably swung in Nashville’s favor. And they have their goaltender to thank for that.

Highlights

Next Game

The Nashville Predators host the Winnipeg Jets for Game 5 on Saturday, May 5 at 9:30 p.m ET.

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