WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators spoiled the Winnipeg Jets’ home opener.
Rinne made 31 saves for his 33rd NHL shutout in Nashville’s 2-0 victory Friday night.
Rinne played only 24 games last season because of a hip injury.
“It was a tough season last year, battling with the injury. It took forever to get back,” Rinne said. “I’m just having fun, enjoying hockey. I had a really good summer. I’m back to where I need to be physically and just trying to enjoy it and stay healthy.”
Predators newcomer Mike Ribeiro scored in the first period, and James Neal connected in the third to help Nashville improve to 3-0-1.
Ribeiro redirected Seth Jones’ shot past Ondrej Pavelec. Neal, another offseason acquisition, beat Pavelec through traffic with a puck that appeared to glance off a couple of Jets.
“We came in here with a good mindset,” Neal said. “We knew the Jets would be fired up.”
The Jets dropped to 1-3-0.
“Part of it was it was a tight, tight game” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “There wasn’t a lot of offense to be had. We’ve got to put more of the basic stuff to the net so we can bang some ugly ones in.”
Notes: Nashville’s Olli Jokinen spent the past two seasons with the Jets. … Winnipeg also was shut out 3-0 in San Jose on Saturday night.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
