Predators rip Red Wings 8-0

As the clock counted down the final eight seconds of the first period, many in the sellout crowd of 17,113 at Sommet Center rose to their feet and applauded. It was not the first time, and it was not the last.

Against an opponent that so often has sent fans streaming for the exits early, the Nashville Predators gave their supporters plenty of reasons to cheer in a record-setting offensive performance Saturday.

Five goals in the opening 11 minutes established a celebratory tone, which lasted all the way to the finish of an 8-0 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings – the most lopsided victory in franchise history.

“The crowd was unbelievable again,” forward Joel Ward said. “All of our games the last couple nights the crowd’s been huge for us. Anytime they’re standing on their feet cheering that loud … I mean, there were a couple times you couldn’t hear what was going on.”

Twice previously in 800 all-time contests the Predators had won by seven, most recently on Jan. 8, 2008 against the Los Angeles Kings (7-0).

This was the first time Nashville ever scored five goals in the first period. The last three came in a span of 1:24, the fastest three in a home game (second-fastest overall) in franchise history, and the first four came in 5:03, also the fastest for a home game and second-fastest overall.

“I think we came out skating early,” defenseman Shea Weber said. “We got some fortunate bounces early and that really got the crowd into it. We fed off of them and kind of took it from there.”

Ward and Ville Koistinen both had a goal and an assist during that first-period flurry, which included a point by 11 different players. Koistinen scored the first when he redirected a Weber slap shot, and Ward scored the most unlikely (the third) when his forechecking effort caused the puck to pop in the air from behind the net, off the back of goalie Ty Conklin and in.

Ultimately, six different Nashville players had multiple points led by captain Jason Arnott, who scored the fifth, sixth and eighth goals for the eighth hat trick of his career and the first this season by a Nashville player.

“It’s always nice to get a hat trick in a game, especially against Detroit,” Arnott said. “You don’t get too many goals against them. It is always a special moment when you get three.”

On top of all of that offense, goalie Pekka Rinne tied a Predators’ record with his sixth shutout of the season. He stopped all 30 shots he saw, nearly half of which came during he second period when Detroit outshot Nashville 14-6.

Conversely, Conklin was pulled after the fourth goal. His replacement, Chris Osgood, gave up his first, the first by Arnott, just 58 seconds later and eventually allowed four of his own.

“It’s embarrassing, the kind of start we had,” Detroit defenseman Niklas Lidstrom said. “They always play well the first 10 minutes, but we did not respond at all as a team. We came out flat. I’m very disappointed. They were quicker on pucks, and we were out of position. We did a lot of things wrong.”

Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock said: “I think it’s the worst loss I’ve had since I’ve been in the National (Hockey) League.”

Weber created a different reason to cheer with 6:33 to play in the second period when his uppercut abruptly ended a fight with Detroit defenseman Andreas Lilja. A holding penalty by Lilja precipitated the scuffle, and Arnott scored the game’s only power-play goal 33 seconds later.

“The second period, we knew they were going to come out with a real good push,” coach Barry Trotz said. “We defended, I thought, pretty well against their push, were able to get (another) goal and then we went from there.

“... Anytime you win, it’s a good thing, but I think with the Detroit’s in town the building is just electric. So it’s a gratifying win.”

BRIEFLY: Martin Erat was scratched with a lower body injury. It was the first time since Nov. 14 and the fourth time this season he did not play. Trotz said Erat will be re-evaluated Monday and will have a chance to play Tuesday against Edmonton. … In response to Erat’s injury, Cal O’Reilly was recalled earlier in the day and made his NHL debut. O’Reilly, a fifth-round choice in 2005, had an assist on Nashville’s first goal. “That was huge,” Trotz said. … Ward had his second straight multi-point game and extended his current scoring streak to a career-high three games (three goals, two assists). … J.P. Dumont has assists in four straight games and eight assists in the last six. … Rinne became the fifth goalie in Nashville history to win 20 games in a season. Tomas Vokoun did it four times, Mike Dunham did it twice, Chris Mason did it once and Dan Ellis did it last season. … Annti Pihlstrom scored his second goal of the season, in his 40th game. It had been 32 games since his last goal. … Nashville evened the season series with Detroit at two victories apiece.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period

Nashville (4:48) – Ville Koistinen (3). Assists: Shea Weber (21), Cal O’Reilly (1).

Nashville (5:17) – David Legwand (17). Assists: Jerred Smithson (7), Joel Ward (12).

Nashville (9:24) – Joel Ward (11). Unassisted.

Nashville (9:51) – Antti Pihlstrom (2). Assists: Jordin Tootoo (8), Kevin Klein (5).

Nashville (10:48) – Jason Arnott (24). Assists: Ville Koistenen (7), Ryan Jones (9).

Second period

Nashville (14:13) – Jason Arnott (25) PP. Assists: Steve Sullivan (7), J.P. Dumont (34).

Third period

Nashville (8:45) – Shea Weber (17). Assists: Steve Sullivan (8), J.P. Dumont (35).

Nashville (13:16) – Jason Arnott (26). Assists: J.P. Dumont (36), Steve Sullivan (9).

Goalies: Detroit – Ty Conklin (22-8-1) 9 shots, 5 saves; Chris Osgood 14 shots, 10 saves; Nashville – Pekka Rinne (19-10-1) 30 shots, 30 saves.