CHICAGO - Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators have had

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CHICAGO - Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators have had a frustrating season. College Football Jerseys . On Sunday night, they were able to deal a dose of frustration to the Chicago Blackhawks. Rinne made 29 saves for his first shutout in more than a year to lead Nashville to a 2-0 win over Chicago. Mike Fisher and Gabriel Bourque scored for the Predators, who won their second straight and improved to 3-1 against the Blackhawks this season. "You saw tonight exactly what Pekka Rinne can do for you," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. When hes healthy. Rinne, a two-time Vezina Trophy finalist had surgery on his left hip in May 2013 and recovered in time to play in nine of the Predators first 10 games to start the season. But an infection in the hip required him to undergo a second surgery and he missed 51 games. Rinne was sharp in his 31st career shutout, his first since March 12, 2013, as Chicago dominated territorially in the first two periods and outshot Nashville 29-17 for the game. "It feels good after tonights win," Rinne said. "Against a top team like that, its going to get the best out of you and we showed that as team tonight." Rinne has started nine of 11 games since returning in a 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh on March 4. But in three games before Sunday, he allowed 13 goals while taking two losses and a no-decision. "Obviously, I never thought it was going to be this kind of season," Rinne said. "I put that behind me now and Im focusing on these last games we have left ... and at the same time having a good summer and being ready to the next season." The Predators are all but out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. On Sunday, Nashville forced the Blackhawks to shoot from the perimeter and limited second and third chances as the game went on. "It started with us getting the shot from the outside that he can see and control," defenceman Ryan Ellis said. "But hes one of the best in the league. He came out of the net and played (the puck) well and overall was just unreal tonight." Chicago came out flying despite playing its second game without Patrick Kane, the teams leading scorer when he was injured against St. Louis on Wednesday. The star forward is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and could miss the rest of the regular season. But once Nashville got a lead and as the game progressed, the Predators defence and Rinne took over. "We had a good start, had a couple great looks at the net, missed the net, missed the opportunities there." Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They scored first and it was the same, exact same as what happened the other day. "They get the lead, go into a checkfest, and they check well." Chicago fell six points behind Western Conference and Central Division leader St. Louis, which defeated Pittsburgh 1-0 earlier on Sunday. The Blackhawks Corey Crawford made 15 saves. Predators defenceman Seth Jones suffered concussion-like symptoms didnt return for the second period. Hell be evaluated when the team returns to Nashville. Forward Patric Hornqvist, tied for second on the Predators with 38 points, missed the game and returned to Nashville to be with his wife following the birth of the couples first child. The Blackhawks outshot the Predators 11-6 in the first and dominated much of the period, but Nashville led 1-0 after 20 minutes. Fisher opened the scoring on a deflection with 1:22 remaining in the first when he slipped in unchecked from the left side of the net. Ellis shot through a screen from the right point, and Fisher jammed in front and tipped the puck past Crawford. The Blackhawks came out strong in the second, but Rinne stopped several close-in chances and limited rebounds to keep the Predators ahead. Bourque made it 2-0 with 2:25 left in the period on a rising shot from the left circle that sailed over Crawfords right shoulder as he dropped to the ice. In the third, Rinne came through when tested and managed the puck conservatively, often smothering it to eliminate Chicago rebounds and chances. Rinne stopped Niklas Hjalmarssons screened shot from the point in the final minute, then sprawled to stop Jonathan Toews rebound attempt from the side of the net. Notes: Trotz praised his teams defensive play, but singled out star defenceman Shea Weber who logged 34 minutes, 14 seconds. "Our defence, especially Weber, was an absolutely monster out there today," Trotz said. "It was worth every penny watching him. Before the game, Quenneville said theres "a good chance" top prospect Teuvo Teravainen could make his NHL debut on Tuesday against Dallas. Teravainen, Chicagos first-round draft pick in 2012, joined the Blackhawks on Friday and has been skating with the team. ... F Matt Carey, 22, signed by Chicago as a free agent on Thursday following one season at St. Lawrence University, also has joined the Blackhawks and could play down the stretch. ... Chicago F Brandon Saad returned on Sunday after missing three games with an upper-body injury. F Bryan Bickell and D Michal Rozsival remained out. ... Sitting out with injuries for Nashville were F Patrick Eaves and F Paul Gaustad. D Michael Del Zotto was a healthy scratch. Wholesale College Jerseys . Numbers Game looks into the Wild getting Matt Moulson from Buffalo. The Wild Get: LW Matt Moulson and LW Cody McCormick. Authentic NCAA Jerseys . LOUIS -- The St. https://www.cheapncaajerseysjustwholesale.com/ . -- Aaron Rodgers isnt out for revenge in Green Bays season opener.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rob Gronkowski was a training camp spectator last summer while recovering from surgery. This summer, after another operation, the New England Patriots star tight end is expected to be on the field for the first practice Thursday. "Hes been cleared to play," coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday. Thats welcome news to his teammates after a season in which Gronkowski played just seven regular-season games. He missed the first six following back surgery about a month before camp and the last three, plus both playoff games, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. "We were all hoping Gronk would have a good recovery and so far he has," Patriots left guard Logan Mankins said. "Well just see where he is, how good he is right now. Its great to have him out there." The team could use his sure-handed receiving, powerful blocking and fun-loving personality. "Hes a tremendous player," defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. "Hes one of the best guys you could ever meet. Hes a great guy off the field. Hell say hi to anybody. Hell do anything for you." Gronkowski stayed healthy his first two seasons after the Patriots drafted him out of Arizona in the second round in 2010. He played all 32 regular-season games with 132 receptions and 27 touchdown catches. But while blocking for an extra point in the 11th game of 2012, a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts, he broke his left forearm. That injury ended a season in which he had 55 catches for 11 touchdowns and was chosen for his second consecutive Pro Bowl even though he couldnt play. He had four forearm surgeries and a back operation. He watched training camp practices from the sideline, often wearing a T-shirt and shorts. His first practice in pads came last Sept. 1, seven days before the season opener. After missing the first six games, he led all NFL tight ends in the next six with 37 catches and 560 yards receiving. But his second reception in the next game was his last of the season. Safety T.J. Ward knocked him down with a hit tto the right knee in a 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns in Foxborough on Dec. NCAA Jerseys. 8. Gronkowski was driven off the field on a cart. He underwent surgery in January. Less than seven months later, is there anything the Patriots can do to better protect him? "The health of the team is the most important thing that we have," Belichick said. "We always try to do everything we can to help all the players stay healthy and stay on the field. We do that for everybody, every single guy. Its a consideration for all them. Certainly Rob, but everybody." He said Gronkowski cannot be put on the physically unable to perform list because hes been cleared to play. "Robs always worked hard. He worked hard as a rookie," Belichick said. "What weve seen, hes been consistent." Tom Brady has certainly seen Gronkowskis consistency as a receiver and blocker. With Gronkowski limited to seven games, the quarterback was sacked 40 times last season, one less than his career high in 2001, his first year as a starter. "Hes a very good blocker, especially for his position," Mankins said. "A lot of times the guys that catch the ball as well as he does, they dont really block at all. They try to get in the way sometimes, but Gronk goes after people and he tries to block the best that he can and most of the time its pretty good." His return also would give Brady his most reliable receiver. The teams other tight ends caught just 14 passes last season. "Hes a big target for Tom to get the ball to and he gets open," Mankins said. "Anytime you can have Gronk on the field, its great." Gronkowski was on the field at Gillette Stadium on July 1 at a Beyonce and Jay-Z concert where his knee didnt seem to inhibit his lively dancing. Now he seems on target to showing his moves in a game, starting with the opener at Miami on Sept. 7. "Im happy to see his progress and see him coming into the season and staying healthy," Ninkovich said. "Obviously, thats what everybody is talking about." ' ' '