Predators turn Sommet Center into a shooting gallery

November 14, 11:14 PMNashville Predators ExaminerJim Diamond

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Steve Sullivan celebrates after scoring his second goal against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday.
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

The barrage of shots the Nashville Predators put on goal Saturday night were not just impressive, it was record setting. And those records were not just Nashville records, but forced the Canadiens into equaling some records of their own in the process.

The Predators 24 first period shot eclipsed their previous record for shots on goal in a period by one. The previous record was 23, set February 28, 2004 in a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers.

Nashville’s 55 shots in the game were three more than the previous record for shots in a game set more than ten years ago. The Predators put 52 shots on goal in their 5-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks October 14, 1999.

By outshooting the Canadiens 55-20 in the game, the Predators set a team record for largest shot advantage. By besting the Habs by 35 shots, it erased the previous franchise record for shot differential which was 30, set in a 1-0 shootout loss to former Predator goaltender Chris Mason and the rest of the St. Louis Blues December 25, 2008.

While not a team record, Steve Sullivan’s eleven shots on goal Saturday were a personal best. 26’s previous highest shot total in a game was eight set March 15, 2000 at Toronto when he was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sullivan’s eleven shots were one behind Jason Arnott’s franchise-best 12 set December 4, 2007 at Toronto.

Setting Nashville franchise records is impressive on its own, but having to make the Montreal Canadiens and their 101-year history tie records is another story.

In a losing effort, Carey Price equaled a couple of longstanding Montreal goaltending records, and that is saying something with some of the names that have guarded the goal in Montreal.

Price’s 23 first period saves equaled a franchise record he now shares with the likes of Ken Dryden, Rogatien Vachon, Andre Racicot, and Jeff Hackett.

The 53 saves Price made in the game tied him with Wayne Thomas as the only Canadiens netminder to make that many saves in a regular season game.

17 of Nashville’s 18 skaters who dressed for the game posted at least one shot on goal. The only Predator held off of the shot clock Saturday night was defenseman Ryan Suter.