NHL: Predators’ Rinne ends six-year goalie goal drought

CHICAGO—Pekka Rinne grinned and grinned and grinned.

John Hynes got his first win with Nashville and Colin Blackwell scored his first NHL goal, but the game belonged to Rinne after one historic shot.

Rinne became the 12th goaltender in NHL history to score when he converted an emptynetter with 22 seconds left, punctuating the Predators’ 5-2 victory against the sloppy Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

“I obviously understand that it might be a once in a lifetime thing,” a smiling Rinne said, “so I really enjoyed it. It was an awesome feeling seeing that puck go in.”

Nashville had a 4-2 lead when Rinne fired the puck into the air from behind his own net. It landed inside Chicago’s blue line and slid into the goal before Blackhawks centre Kirby Dach could chase it down.

The 37-year-old Rinne said he realized it went in when he saw teammate Nick Bonino celebrating.

“It was pretty cool,” said Rinne, who had 29 saves.

“I just threw my hands up in the air and tried to act as cool as I can.”

Rinne was mobbed by his teammates after the first goal for an NHL goaltender since Mike Smith accomplished the feat for the Coyotes on Oct. 19, 2013, against Detroit. Rinne became the second-oldest goaltender to score in a regularseason game, trailing only Martin Brodeur.

“That was the first time I’ve ever been a part of a goalie goal, so I think I almost jumped to the top of the building when that happened,” Predators forward Colin Blackwell said. “That was pretty unreal.”

Bonino also had an empty-net goal before Rinne got his 14th career point.

“Really happy for the guys,” Hynes said. “It’s been a tough week for them.”

Hynes became the third coach in franchise history after Peter Laviolette was fired on Monday. Hynes dropped his debut when Nashville lost 6-2 to Boston on Tuesday, but the Predators held off the Blackhawks in the final part of the third after nearly blowing a three-goal lead. MARINCIN EXTENDED: The Maple Leafs signed defenceman Martin Marincin to a oneyear, $700,000 (U.S.) contract extension Friday.

Marincin, 27, has no points and eight penalty minutes 13 games for the Maple Leafs this season. He has an assist in five games with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.

Marincin has 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 129 career games as a Maple Leaf.