NHL: Nashville 2, Phoenix 0

• Tweet

NASHVILLE, May 3 (UPI) -- Pekka Rinne made 32 saves Wednesday to record the first playoff shutout of his career and bring Nashville a 2-0 victory over Phoenix.

The Predators cut their deficit in the Western Conference semifinals to 2-1 and will try to even the series Friday at home.

Rinne earned the shutout in his 26th post-season appearance and handed Phoenix its first road loss of the playoffs. The Coyotes won all three road games against Chicago in the opening round.

Both Nashville goals came in the opening period -- scored just 1:06 apart by David Legwand and Mike Fisher. Mike Smith allowed the two goals on 26 shots.

Rinne led the NHL in regular-season wins this year with 43 and bounced back from a struggling performance in Game 2 of the series in which he allowed five goals on 39 shots.