http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612150430/1028
Hats off, naturally
Sullivan's three in row lead rout
The only thing the Predators failed to do on Thursday night was kick an extra point. Everything else worked to perfection.
Almost completely healthy at forward for the first time in weeks, the Predators put on a dazzling display of offense on Thursday, dismantling Ottawa 6-0 in front of 12,718 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
They scored all six goals in the first 32 minutes, knocking Senators goalie Ray Emery out of the contest with a series of slick back-door passes that made for relatively simple scores.
"I thought that for the most part, we skated well, worked hard, moved the puck effectively and were dangerous,'' Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "When you do that, you can blow some games open.''
Steve Sullivan, returning from a groin strain that had kept him out two games, led the Predators with a natural hat trick — three consecutive goals — that brought caps to the ice.
He set a franchise record by scoring the three goals within a span of 5:56 in the second period, capping his evening by knocking home J.P. Dumont's third straight assist.
"I wasn't feeling anything special (beforehand),'' Sullivan said. "I just wanted to go out there and get my legs back underneath me. I wanted to make sure I didn't do anything to hurt the hockey team.''