St. Paul, MN -- (Sports Network) - Jerred Smithson's tally midway through the third period was the difference as Nashville blew a two-goal lead but rallied back to top Minnesota, 4-3, at Xcel Energy Center.

Shea Weber picked up a goal and assist for the Predators, who have won two of three after losing six consecutive games.

J.P. Dumont and Mike Santorelli also tallied while Pekka Rinne got the win in relief by stopping all 12 shots he faced over the final 37-plus minutes. Dan Ellis got the start but was replaced early in the second after yielding three straight scores.

"I feel bad for Ellis. It was a tough game for him," Rinne said. "I just have to be ready. Fortunately, I didn't have too many shots. The guys played really well."

Owen Nolan, Brent Burns and Cal Clutterbuck lit the lamp for the Wild, who have dropped three of four. Niklas Backstrom allowed all four goals on just 22 shots in defeat.

Smithson snapped a 3-3 tie just after the midway point of the third period on an unassisted short-handed score.

Cody Franson was in the penalty box for holding, but an attempted Nashville clear in the Wild offensive zone got past Minnesota defenseman Marek Zidlicky. Smithson outraced a defender to the puck, slid around Burns and tucked a shot home.

Backstrom was pulled for an extra skater with 1:23 left but to no avail.

Nashville struck for a pair of scores early in the first on Dumont's third of the season at 2:36 followed by Weber's power-play blast at 5:33.

"My feeling on the bench was we were just a bit unlucky," Minnesota head coach Todd Richards said. "I think we've played worse stretches where it's been 0-0 because our goalie has been really good."

Minnesota opened the second period on fire, scoring three times in less than 2 1/2 minutes as Burns tallied at 31 seconds, Clutterbuck at the two-minute mark then Nolan only 18 seconds later.

Ellis was yanked from the game in favor of Rinne, then Santorelli snapped Minnesota's momentum and tied the game at 6:44, netting his first career goal in the process.

Game Notes

Nashville has won two of the last three over the Wild in Minnesota...The Predators host Chicago on Thursday and the Wild host the Rangers on Friday.