Rinne's play earns him top NHL weekly award

Rinne

After going 4-0 with a 1.22 goals-against average last week, Nashville Predators’ goalie Pekka Rinne was named the National Hockey League’s First Star of the Week, the league announced Monday.

A week earlier he was named Third Star of the Week. He now has earned three of the league’s weekly awards this season.

Last week’s four victories included back-to-back shutouts Thursday against Minnesota (17 saves) and Saturday, in overtime, against Columbus (33 saves). He also matched his season-high with 42 saves in a 4-3 overtime victory last Tuesday against Philadelphia.

He has won six straight games and helped the Predators climb to fifth in the Western Conference standings.

Rinne is 28-13-4 with a 2.59 goals-against average in 50 appearances this season. With his next victory, he will match his win total from a year ago.

Nashville is back in action 7 p.m. Tuesday against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena.