NASHVILLE -- Artem Anisimov just keeps scoring for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Panthers Greg Hardy Limited Jersey . Anisimov had the only goal of the game with 6:25 remaining in the third period and Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves to lead the Blue Jackets to a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. It was the sixth goal in the last six games for Anisimov, who also has scored the last four game-winners for Columbus. With the game still scoreless, James Wisniewski sent a pass from the left circle to Anisimov at the left faceoff dot. Anisimov carried the puck to the goal line before cutting toward the Nashville net and sliding a backhander by Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne just inside the far post. "He skated down the ice and he actually made the drop to me," Wisniewski said of Anisimov. "I love when the D-man just stays there because then the forward just skates right around them, make a quick pass, and hes all alone with the goalie. He made a great move and scored." The Predators have lost four in a row and seven of their last eight. They have scored just three goals in their last four games, and it was Bobrovskys third shutout of the season for Columbus, which has won four of five. "Weve been shooting enough pucks, were just not finding the back of the net," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "There are a lot of dry players." Making his third consecutive start after being sidelined since late October with an infection in his hip, Rinne made 35 saves. "I felt confident and I felt comfortable out there tonight," Rinne said. "Hopefully, myself too, I can improve all the time." Rinne faced just five shots in the first, but with 5:45 remaining in the opening frame, he denied Ryan Johansens wrist shot attempt from the right side off of a 2-on-1 break. Midway through the second, Rinne got his blocker on Boone Jenners shot from the right circle. Nashville dominated the shots on goal in the first period, outshooting the Blue Jackets 14-5. "I though guys did a great job in front of me," Bobrovsky said of his defencemen. "They shot from mostly outside, so they boxed them out. They were great." The tables turned in the middle frame when Columbus put 15 shots on Rinne, and the Predators managed just four on Bobrovsky. The Blue Jackets had the shot advantage in the third as well, 16-10. The Predators had a chance to tie late in the third, but Mike Fishers shot from the slot rang off the far post with less than 30 seconds remaining and then Bobrovsky got his glove on an attempt from Colin Wilson. "It is one of those games where you are wondering is anybody going to be able to beat either one of those guys," Columbus coach Todd Richards said. "Bob came up big at the end when the game was on the line." NOTES: Columbus made their only visit to Nashville for the 2013-14 season. The Blue Jackets and Predators were both members of the Central Division before Columbus moved to the Eastern Conference before the start of this season. ... Nashville was just 1-4-0 on its five-game homestand coming out of the Olympic break. The Predators are on the road for their next three. ... The Predators have not scored a power-play goal in their last four games.
Buy Panthers Kuechly Jerseys Store . Braden Calverts Winnipeg rink rallied to defeat Italy 8-7. After giving up three points in the second end, Calvert came back with a single, then stole two more points in the next two ends to tie it up at the fifth-end break.
Panthers Sam Mills Blue Jersey . The Rangers broke a two-game losing streak and won for the third time in eight games by using their fists and sticks in a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night.QINGHUANGDAO, China -- Mary Spencers quest for a London Olympic berth has suddenly turned into a waiting game. The three-time world champion from Windsor, Ont., was upset 18-11 by Swedens Anna Laurell in her first bout in the 75-kilogram division at the womens world boxing championships Monday. "Anna boxed great," Spencer said. "I hope she does well in this tournament." Spencer, one of Canadas top medal hopefuls in London, now must wait and see if shes awarded a wild card spot in the Summer Games. "Hopefully I will still qualify," Spencer said. "Its very important in times like these that we get the best out of the situation. I see it as an extra week to prepare for the Olympics that I wouldnt have had I remained in the tournament." Spencer, the top seed in her weight class, still has a chance to be awarded one of two berths set aside for fighters from the Americas after no boxer from that region advanced past the top 16. Boxing Canadas executive director Robert Crete said wild card spots are usually determined after the finals, which are set for Saturday in China. Crete believes Spencer has a strong chance of earning a spot on the team if the selection criteria is past performances and international ranking. "What were assuming they will do is look at their past records and their accomplishment," Crete said. "At this point in time Mary is the top athlete and shes the three-time world champion in a row. "According to me, my biased opinion, they probably will take that into consideeration in selecting one of the two athletes.
Panthers Garry Williams White Jersey. ." But Spencer suggested in an email late Monday that the spots will be given to the athletes whose opponents go furthest in the tournament. If Spencer doesnt come out of the world championships with a spot theres still a chance she could be awarded one by the International Olympic Committees Tripartite Commission. But the fighter says she wont know for sure if thats an option until the end of the tournament. On the weekend, Canadas Mandy Bujold and Sandra Bizier missed their chance to qualify for London after losing their first-round bouts in the other two Olympic weight classes. Spencers remarkable consistency took a hit early last month though when she dropped a 27-14 decision to 17-year-old American Claressa Shields in the final of the American Boxing Confederations continental championships. "All l can say is that she didnt have it (Monday)," Spencers coach Charlie Stewart said in an email. "Now we should find out by the end of the tournament if she secures a wild card spot." Shields also lost her opening bout Monday. Spencer, 27, was born in Wiarton, Ont., and grew up in Windsor. The five-foot-11 fighter captured gold at the Pan American Games last fall in Mexico and carried the Canadian flag at the closing ceremonies. While shes an Olympic rookie, Spencer is already a rising star on the Canadian team. In addition to being the new face of CoverGirl, Spencer is featured prominently in a new ad campaign from the Canadian Olympic Committee. ' ' '