Updated at: 10/28/2009 11:03 PM

Wild Dropped by Predators

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Jerred Smithson scored a short-handed goal midway through the third period to give the Nashville Predators their second regulation victory of the season, 4-3 over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.

After a clearing attempt on Minnesota's power play squirted past Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky along the boards, Smithson raced to the puck, pulled it back in the slot to avoid Brent Burns, and beat goalie Niklas Backstrom to give Nashville its first regulation victory since Oct. 8 against Colorado Avalanche.

Shea Weber had a goal and an assist, J.P. Dumont and Mike Santorelli added goals, and Steve Sullivan had two assists. Pekka Rinne improved to 2-3 on the season, stopping 11 shots after replacing Dan Ellis at the 2:18 mark of the second period.