Predators Pekka Rinne Receives NHL's Second Star of the Week

After three great games this past week (one in relief), Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators received the NHL Second Star of the Week honors.

After a rough start, Pekka seemed to be his old self in the locker room after Thursday's shutout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

After the game Rinne commented on his improved play, "The last week or so, I've been feeling a little better." Further he said, "Every time you don't let in goals, it's going to build up your confidence. That's what I needed now. It's been a tough start for me, and for now things look a little better for me and the team."

Rinne's turnaround coincides with the Predator's three game win streak to even their season record at 6-6-1 as they prepare to head west for a four game road swing.

Here is the complete text of the NHL Three Stars press release from the league...

KABERLE, RINNE AND NABOKOV NAMED NHL 'THREE STARS' OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK (November 2, 2009) -- Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle, Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne and San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov have been named the NHL 'Three Stars' for the week ending Nov. 1.

FIRST STAR -- TOMAS KABERLE, D, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Kaberle led the NHL in scoring last week with 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) in four road games, helping the Maple Leafs post a 1-0-3 record. Kaberle registered a career-high five points (one goal, four assists) in a 6-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Oct. 26, recorded two assists in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars Oct. 28 and earned one assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres Oct. 30. He closed the week by tallying a goal and three assists -- including the game-tying score at 19:06 of the third period -- in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens Oct. 31. Kaberle leads NHL defensemen in scoring with 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) and ranks second in the League in assists. He has tallied 450 career points with the Maple Leafs, eight behind Hall of Famer Tim Horton for second place among defensemen on the franchise's all-time scoring list.

SECOND STAR -- PEKKA RINNE, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Rinne posted a 3-0-0 record with a 0.76 goals-against average, .968 save percentage and one shutout as the Predators improved to 6-6-1 on the season. Rinne began the week by stopping all 12 shots he faced in 38 minutes of relief for starter Dan Ellis as the Predators rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild Oct. 28. He turned aside 22 shots to post his eighth career shutout in a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Oct. 29 and finished the week with a 27-save effort in a 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars Oct. 31. Rinne, who celebrates his 27th birthday tomorrow, has posted a 4-3-0 record with a 2.63 goals against average, .910 save percentage and one shutout in eight games.

THIRD STAR -- EVGENI NABOKOV, G, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Nabokov posted a 3-0-0 record with a 0.97 goals-against average and .963 save percentage, helping the Sharks (10-4-1) extend their winning streak to five games and claim first place in Pacific Division. Nabokov stopped 28 shots and five of six shootout attempts in a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings Oct. 28, made 24 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Oct. 30 and finished the week with a 25-save effort in a 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Nov. 1, the Sharks' first victory in Raleigh since Oct. 24, 2000. Nabokov improved to 9-3-1 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 14 appearances.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass