Pekka Rinne scores as Predators beat Blackhawks

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, left, celebrates with defenseman Roman Josi, center, and center Nick Bonino after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, left, celebrates with defenseman Roman Josi, center, and center Nick Bonino after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

By JAY COHEN / Associated Press Sports Writer January 10, 2020 5 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – Pekka Rinne grinned and grinned and grinned.

John Hynes got his first win with Nashville and Colin Blackwell scored his first NHL goal, but the game belonged to Rinne after one historic shot.

Rinne became the 12th goaltender in NHL history to score when he converted an empty-netter with 22 seconds left, punctuating the Predators’ 5-2 victory over the sloppy Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

“I obviously understand that it might be a once in a lifetime thing,” a smiling Rinne said, “so I really enjoyed it. It was an awesome feeling seeing that puck go in.”

Nashville had a 4-2 lead when Rinne fired the puck into the air from behind his own net. It landed inside Chicago’s blue line and slid into the goal before Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach could chase it down.