Sullivan scores 2 goals, Rinne makes 20 saves for Predators

Associated Press

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 10:07 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Steve Sullivan scored two goals and Pekka Rinne made 20 saves to lead the Nashville Predators to a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

Nashville outshot Montreal 55-20 and the Predators have won two straight and six of their past eight. Montreal has dropped four of six. The 55 shots are a franchise record for Nashville.

Rinne got his second shutout of the season and ninth of his career. Sullivan had just two goals in the team's first 17 games of the season. Carey Price made a career-high 53 saves for Montreal.

Sullivan scored his first goal at 10:48 of the opening period when he collected a rebound of his own shot and was able to beat Price with a backhand.

The Predators set a franchise record with 24 shots on goal in the first period. The previous record for shots in a period was 23 set Feb. 28, 2004, against the New York Rangers.

J.P. Dumont was credited with the only assist on Sullivan's goal. Dumont leads the Predators in points this season with 12.

Sullivan made it 2-0 at 12:59 of the third period.

With the Predators on a 5-on-3 power play, Price stopped a slap shot from Nashville defenseman Shea Weber, but the rebound came right to Sullivan in the left circle where he fired a one-timer by Price on the stick side.

Notes: The Canadiens made their first trip to Nashville since Feb. 22, 2007. ... Montreal right wing Brian Gionta missed his first game of the season with a lower-body injury. ... Saturday's game was the first of five consecutive home games for the Predators. They play seven of their remaining eight November games at home.

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