Preds beat Blues as Johansen stars

ST. LOUIS — Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist, and Pekka Rinne earned his second shutout of the season as the Nashville Predators beat the St. Louis Blues 2-0 on Friday night.

Johansen scored his third goal of the season early in the first period, and Rinne made it hold up by stopping 34 shots as he shut out St. Louis for the third time in his career.

Austin Watson added an empty-netter, and Johansen earned his 200th career assist on the insurance tally.

The Predators won their fourth straight game and improved to 9-2 in November.

Carter Hutton made 26 saves for the Blues, taking his first loss in just his sixth appearance as St. Louis was shut out for the second time this season. Hutton made the save of the game, sliding across the crease to rob Viktor Arvidsson midway through the third period.

The Blues went 0-for3 on the power play, mustering just two total shots as the Predators put up a wall on their own blue line. St. Louis entered the game with the 24th-ranked power play in the league.

The Predators were held without a power-play opportunity for the first time this season and the first time overalll since a 4-2 victory over Colorado on Feb. 23, 2017.

Friday night’s game was the first meeting between the Central Division rivals since Nashville eliminated St. Louis in the second round of the playoffs this past April.