Nashville’s historic season ends, Canucks move on to Western Conference finals

Nashville lost another one-goal game as the Vancouver Canucks edged the Predators 2-1 to win the Western Conference semi final series in six games. Every game in the series was decided by a single goal, with the exception of Game 4 when Henrik Sedin scored an empty net tally to give the Canucks a two-goal cushion.

“Before we start,” Head Coach Barry Trotz said as he sat down for his post game press conference, “I just want to congratulate the Vancouver Canucks. I thought they played a great series and obviously the coaching staff did a great job.”

The Predators came out Monday night and dominated the first period of play in shots, outshooting the Canucks 11-7, but at the end of 20 minutes trailed 2-0.

“We played well.” Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said about Nashville’s  first period. “I think they only had a couple chances in the first period. They executed both of those. Those were playoff goals — lucky bounces and they put it in the back of the net.”

Rinne nominated for Vezina Trophy

On a day that sees the Nashville Predators play their most important game in franchise history,  Pekka Rinne, has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy, the award given to the goaltender judged to be the best in the National Hockey League.

Rinne has been nominated for the Vezina Award

Rinne’s regular season statistics were undeniable. Having played in 64 games, the Finnish netminder ended the season with a 2.12 GAA, good for third in the League behind the other two Vezina nominees, Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks. His .930 save percentage was second in the League to Thomas.

Thomas is the favorite to win the Award. A Vezina winner in 2009, Thomas lost his starting position last season to Tuukka Rask but regained it this year on his way to leading the League in both goals against and save percentage.

Luongo also put up good numbers, leading his team to the President’s Trophy.  His 2.11 GAA that was second only to Thomas and he finished fourth in the League with a .928 save percentage.