The Predators improved to 4-1 in pre-season action by edging the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in Nashville’s second come-from-behind win in as many nights in front of 14 701 fans at Bridgestone Arena.

Spencer Machacek got on the board just 5 minutes in for the Jets when his wrist shot beat Chet Pickard. Winnipeg went up 2-0 when Paul Postma scored a goal that was deflected off Ryan Thang in the high slot.

Both first period Jets goals were allowed by Pickard who switched spots with Pekka Rinne for the second period, but had to go in goal a little more than half way through the middle frame when Rinne was cut from a shot off the face of the mask.

“I wasn’t too worried. I know the equipment is so good. I knew it was probably a cut, and I was hoping it wasn’t anything more than that, like a fracture,” Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz said after the game about the incident that saw Rinne quickly leave the ice, bleeding.

Jordin Tootoo scored for Nashville at the 4:50 mark of the second period to cut the deficit in half. Just two minutes later, Derek Meech scored with a slap shot that beat Rinne to regain the two-goal lead.

The Predators then went on an offensive scoring spree notching three power play goals within a span of less than 5 minutes during the second period. Sergei Kostitsyn, Martin Erat and Patric Hornqvist all scored to give Nashville a 4-3 lead, a score that would hold during the third period.

Zack Stortini drew a double minor that produced the Erat and Hornqvist goals. Showing restraint, Stortini was thrown to the ice by Troy Brodie after delivering his own hit but refused to fight drawing the four minutes of power play time from the roughing call against the Jets.

After the game, Bodie complained about Stortini’s actions.  “We’ve got to let it be known that sort of stuff doesn’t happen on this team and I tried to get him to fight and I realized that he wasn’t obliging. It was a little too late for that at that point.”  Brodie said, adding, “As a player in that role, I’d never turn someone down like that. It’s tough. Those two goals are on my shoulders.”

Stortini signed with the Predators in the off season and looks to have impressed Trotz. “We were looking for a little momentum change,” Trotz explained. The Predators were down 3-2 at the time. “You don’t always have to fight that. He knew he was drawing a penalty for us. That changed the game for us. It showed his experience. He’s a good role player,” Trotz said.

The Predators have Sunday off but practice both Monday and Tuesday before hosting the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are still available.