Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) – Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist, Cam
Ward made 32 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville
Predators 2-1 on Tuesday.
Ward’s best work came in the third period when he turned away 14 of
Nashville’s 15 shots.
Skinner’s first-period goal gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead, and he assisted on
Victor Rask’s goal in the third period that proved to be the game-winner.
Mike Ribeiro scored Nashville’s only goal in the third period.
Pekka Rinne made 23 saves in the loss, ending Nashville’s four game winning
streak.
After a scoreless second period, Carolina struck early in the third to extend
its lead. Rask received a feed from Skinner in the neutral zone, and he skated
down the left wing before firing a long-distance shot that found the back of
the net.
The Predators caught a break to pull within one with less than five minutes to
go in the game. Roman Josi’s dump-in along the boards bounced out to Ribeiro
alone in front of the net. He knocked the puck down with his hand and went to
his backhand to beat Ward to make it a 2-1 game.
Nashville controlled play the rest of the game, but Ward stood strong in
net. He turned away a pair of James Neal shots in quick succession, and the
Predators pressure forced Riley Nash to take a penalty with a minute
remaining.
Ward made three saves on the power play to seal the win, just Carolina’s third
in its last 10 attempts.
Each team had opportunities to score early on breakaways denied by goalies,
but as the first period neared its conclusion, Carolina broke the scoreless
tie.
With just one hand on his stick, Skinner threw his blade in front of a
Andrej Nestrasil back-hand attempt from along the boards. The puck deflected
off Skinner’s stick past Rinne for the 1-0 Hurricanes lead at intermission.
Game Notes
Carolina’s Nathan Gerbe played his 100th career game as a Hurricane … This
was the 2,400th game played in David Poile’s General Manager career …
Nashville skates next on Thursday against St. Louis … Carolina continues a
five-game homestand Thursday against Washington.
