Hurricanes score early, often in win over Predators
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- There are quick starts, and then there is what the Carolina Hurricanes did Thursday night.
Scoring on four of its first six shots, Carolina drove Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne to cover and went on to a 4-1 win at sold-out Bridgestone Arena.
Executing a complete 180-degree turn from their 8-1 loss in Toronto on Tuesday, the Hurricanes (15-12-7) won for the fourth time in five games and polished off their second straight season-series sweep of Nashville (21-9-4).
The domination started nearly as soon as the clock did. Derek Ryan scored on the power play at 37 seconds, deflecting a centering pass from Noah Hanifin past Rinne for his seventh goal of the season.
Elias Lindholm made it 2-0 at 3:11 when he tipped Jeff Skinner's wrister from atop the left circle by Rinne for his 10th goal of the season.
After Ryan Johansen took the Predators' second minor at 3:53, Hanifin upped the margin to three when his point-blast shot struck the skate of defenseman Roman Josi and eluded Rinne. It was the seventh goal of the season for Hanifin.
Victor Rask capped the outburst at 6:29 when his soft backhander from the right boards bounced twice, hit Rinne's right arm and found the net for his eighth goal of the season.
At that point, Nashville coach Peter Laviolette inserted Juuse Saros for Rinne (18-6-3), who endured the second-shortest hook of his career.
Saros stopped all 26 shots he faced, but his efforts weren't enough to bring the Predators back.
Carolina's Cam Ward (7-2-1) made 28 saves in beating Nashville for the second time.
The Predators' only goal came at 15:33 of the first period. Kevin Fiala tipped in P.K. Subban's slapper from the right point for his 10th goal of the season, marking the fifth straight game with a goal. Fiala has scored in nine consecutive games, the longest current streak in the NHL.
Hanifin finished with a goal and two assists for Carolina, and Ryan and Skinner each collected two points.
NOTES: Nashville GM David Poile said in a radio interview that D Ryan Ellis, who hasn't played this season as he recovers from a knee injury sustained during the Stanley Cup Finals in June, could make his season debut Jan. 2 at Vegas. ... Carolina LW Jeff Skinner needs one goal to pass Pat Verbeek (192) for seventh place in franchise history. ... The Hurricanes scratched D Haydn Fleury and RW Josh Jooris. ... The Predators' scratches were RW Craig Smith (lower-body injury), D Anthony Bitetto and LW Cody McLeod. RW Miikka Salomaki drew into the lineup for Smith.