Detroit (41-13-8) at Nashville (30-28-4), 8:00 p.m. EST
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Rookie goaltender Pekka Rinne
is keeping the Nashville Predators' playoff hopes alive.
Looking for a fourth straight victory, Rinne and the Predators
host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Finn, who has surrendered just four total goals
in Nashville's current run, shined in Thursday's 4-1 win over
the Phoenix Coyotes.
Rinne, the starter for the Rookies in the YoungStars Game as
part of the festivities during All-Star Weekend last month, will
likely face another netminder coming off a strong outing.
Chris Osgood made 30 saves and Tomas Kopecky scored a key goal
early in the third period as the Red Wings posted a 2-1 victory
over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.
Osgood has maintained a respectable record despite struggling
this season. The 36-year-old has posted a 19-5-7 mark but
entered Friday with a 3.29 goals-against average.
A 14-year veteran with three Stanley Cup rings, Osgood - who has
been getting challenged by Ty Conklin for the starting job - had
allowed three or more goals in nine of his previous 10
appearances.
By shining in his first start since a 6-5 shootout loss to
Colorado on February 15, Osgood may have earned coach Mike
Babcock's trust for this contest.
Detroit has won two in a row and four of five.