Predators 5, Hurricanes 2
Patric Hornqvist scored a pair of power-play goals and rookie defenseman Ryan Ellis added a man-advantage tally and an assist as the Nashville Predators extended their winning streak against the Carolina Hurricanes to six games with a 5-2 home victory on Saturday.
Captain Shea Weber and Craig Smith also scored while Mike Fisher collected three assists for the Predators, who improved to 7-0-1 in their last eight meetings with Carolina.
Four minutes after Weber opened the scoring with a one-timer at 9:14 of the first period, Smith began Nashville's power-play eruption by converting a cross-slot pass from Fisher. The Predators went 4-for-5 with the extra man.
Holmqvist was credited with his first tally when a shot by Fisher late in the second deflected off his foot and past Justin Peters. The Swede completed his second two-goal performance of the season just under seven minutes into the third when he swept the puck into the net while lying down in the crease.
Holmqvist entered with just two goals in his previous 26 games.
Ellis notched his first career point with an assist on Hornqvist's first goal, then recorded his initial NHL tally late in the third with a blast from the right faceoff circle.
Defenseman Jay Harrison scored both goals for the Hurricanes, who have lost six straight on the road.